Training Services

BPE, Inc., formerly Southface - North Carolina, has performed hundreds of trainings on high performance construction all across the United States. Not only does BPE specialize in traditional classroom presentations, but we also offer hands-on training in the field designed to help contractors grasp cutting edge concepts.

Topics frequently taught include the following:

• Energy Codes
• Building Science
• Green Building
• ENERGY STAR^® Construction
• Renewable Energy Technologies
• HVAC Design and Construction Techniques
• Weatherization Strategies
• Home Performance Contracting

If you would like a proposal for a training for your company or organization, please contact:

Laura Johnston:
Office 828/265-4888
Fax 828/264-2333
Email: laura@contactbpe.com

Testimonials:

"I recently attended the BPI Building Analyst training in Charlotte, NC and just wanted to take a moment to thank you for such a worthwhile and valuable experience. In over 20 years kicking around the weatherization/energy-conservation field I have never experienced anything this well done. Mr. Scott Suddreth is an excellent instructor and as I am sure you already know is one of the most knowledgeable yet easy to approach people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. I usually just kind of fade away into sheer boredom at most trainings, yet Scott's presentation of the subject matter had me totally engaged from beginning to end. There are two other staff that I want to thank also, Mr. Bryan Burris and Dmitriy Lednev. Bryan and Dmitriy spent a couple of days with our group and administered our tests. Again, it was such a pleasure to be able to learn from them both as they too have such knowledge but are so easy to talk with. From my perspective I have never had such a wonderful learning experience that they provided. Intense, yes, but the best thing I have ever attended in my professional life. BPE should be very proud of this team and I hope I have more opportunities to spend time with them. If all the staff are like Scott, Bryan, and Dmitriy then it must be a great team to work with. Again, thank you all so much! "
James Rapin, Greenville Utilities
Attended 8/9-8/13/10 Building Analyst Training

"I enjoyed the class ... Scott did a nice job teaching and overall I was very impressed with your team. Thanks, I hope to get back to Boone, so leave me on your mailing list."
John R. Kiefer, Ph.D., E3 Building Sciences
Attended 5/5-5/7/10 Building Analyst Training for HERS Raters

"I want to thank all of you for an outstanding program. I’m really looking forward to working together as I begin to put into practice the building science I’ve learned over the past couple of months."
Phil Wilson, President of Echo Properties, Inc.
Attended Building Performance Engineering’s 11/16-11/18/09 BPI Building Analyst for HERS Raters Training

"I had a fantastic learning experience. As a professional trainer for educators, I can tell that Scott is dedicated to his art and is sincere in passing along his vast knowledge."
Greg Taylor, Professional Trainer
Attended Building Performance Engineering’s 8/24-8/28/09 BPI Building Analyst Training

"BPE's knowledgeable and professional staff is two steps above anyone else. The training I received from their team has brought a whole new dimension to our solar installation business. Thank you Scott, Laura, and the whole BPE team."
Jim Wood, Renewable Energy Specialist
Attended Building Performance Engineering’s 5/4-5/8/09 BPI Building Analyst Training

"I ... thank your organization for the wonderful Building Analyst class I attended in February. I have now passed the HERS rater exam [as well] and am fully 'on my way' .... Scott and Phil were both great ... The BPI training is [highly] complete on building science ... [and] combustion safety."
Timothy Arn, Home Inspector/General Contractor/Plumber/Environmental and Mold Inspector
Attended Building Performance Engineering’s 2/23-2/27/09 BPI Building Analyst Training

"Hello:
I wanted to take the time to say how much I appreciate the learning experience with Phil Hull and Scott Suddreth. The Building Analyst training was a HUGE 'eye opener' and has made me extremely conscious on effects of system changes and how the building systems work together. It has been a long time since I have been excited about something, but after my experience with BPE, Scott, and Phil it is now exciting to help make a difference with our planet. My career has turned to great opportunities thanks to BPE (Scott and Phil)."
Sincerely,
A. Jay Cottle III, General Contractor
Attended Building Performance Engineering’s 2/23-2/27/09 BPI Building Analyst Training

"I have been a full time professional Real Estate Inspector for 14 years in Austin, Texas, and have attended numerous classes related to building inspection and building science. I attended the BPI Building Analyst Course through Building Performance Engineering (BPE) and I must admit, this course was the most eye-opening, most interesting, and most beneficial for my profession. For 14 years I have been taking various courses and at the end, feeling somewhat frustrated since the courses offered were mostly "reciting" what was being shown on the slides.
It was different with BPE. The Instructors at BPE were the folks who had actual hands-on experience. The teaching and instruction techniques were outstanding. The class had a generous portion of "hands-on" teaching. Instructors at BPE guided us as to how to think logically, what questions to ask when on the job, what clues to look for, how to approach clients, how to be efficient in performing audit—the list goes on and on. In short, I found the BPE instructors, their teaching facility and their overall compassion for what they do a delightful, positive and useful learning experience."
Sincerely,
Amir Faghih, Real Estate Inspector / Energy Auditor
Attended Building Performance Engineering’s 1/26-1/30/09 BPI Building Analyst Training

Upcoming Trainings:

Are you interested in evaluating existing structures using building science techniques and diagnostics along with combustion safety testing? If so, then BPI's Building Analyst Certification is for you.

Would you prefer to be the crew leader of a weatherization team and perform quality assurance test-outs after mprovements are in place? If this role appeals more to you, then BPI's Envelope Professional Training is for you.

If you already have a building science background, you can save time and money by attending our BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional classes for HERS raters. The five-day training is condensed to three, with no loss of hands-on field time. The lecture consists of a short review of basic building science and focuses on advanced topics such as combustion safety and moisture.

Perhaps you would like to learn to optimize the performance of heating equipment to help save energy and ensure occupant comfort, health, and safety. If so, the BPI Heating Professional Training for Building Analysts is for you.

Do you have your combustion safety foundation but want a better understanding of the role of air conditioning and heat pumps within the whole house? Would you also like to diagnose problems--and correct them--in order to achieve peak performance and maximize comfort? If so, the BPI A/C and Heat Pump Professional Training for Building Analysts would suit you very well.

If you would like to learn to implement measures to tighten the building envelope, in order to both reduce energy loss from air leakage and to block the introduction of pollutants and allergens through air migration, the Insulation and Air Sealing Professional (IASP) Training is for you. This course will also prepare you to improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency through the proper installation of dense-pack insulation materials. If you successfully complete the testing at the end of this training, you will earn BPI's Residential Building Envelope Whole House Air Leakage Control (WH-ALC) Installer certification.

Whether you prefer to diagnose the problems, install the weatherization, or oversee the improvements, earning nationally recognized training helps prove your qualifications and gives you a marketing advantage over your competitors. We invite you to train with Building Performance Engineering, Inc. in our beautiful mountain town. Our combined training experience of over 40 years and our students' pass rate of 92% are proof that we are the authority on building science training.

Please contact Laura Johnston (laura@contactbpe.com) with questions about any of the trainings discussed below. You may also call or email Laura if you would like to request a proposal for your company or organization--we are happy to take BPI on the road!

Listen to an interview with BPE's Scott Suddreth on the Building Performance podcast here.

Building Analyst / Envelope Professional Combination Training (*This course concludes with BPI Testing)

Location: Boone, NC
Date: May 21-24, 2012, with four BPI testing slots on May 25 and four BPI testing slots on May 29; test slots are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis
Cost: $2,795 (including test fees)

Are you interested in evaluating existing structures using building science techniques and diagnostics along with combustion safety testing? Would you like to be the crew leader of a weatherization team and perform quality assurance test-outs after improvements are in place? Would you like the chance to earn nationally recognized certifications helping to prove your qualifications and give you a marketing advantage over your competitors? If so, the BPI Building Analyst and Envelope Professional Certifications are for you.

Sign up HERE.

Please contact Laura Johnston (laura@contactbpe.com) with questions about any of the trainings discussed above. You may also call or email Laura if you would like to request a proposal for your company or organization--we are happy to take BPI on the road!

Is Virginia More Convenient for You than North Carolina?
We are partnering with People Incorporated to provide additional Building Performance Engineering, Inc., trainings in Abingdon, Virginia:

• Weatherization Basics
• Advanced Combustion Safety
• Advanced Blower Door and Pressure Diagnostics
• Building Science / Combustion Safety Training concluding with BPI Building Analyst Testing
• Weatherization Crew Leader Training concluding with BPI Envelope Professional Testing

For details about any of these trainings, please visit the education and training page at Abingdon’s Green Building Center website. Links for specific trainings are at the bottom of that page.

To register for any of these trainings, please call Nick Safay with People Incorporated of Virginia at (276) 623-9000 x2254, or e-mail him. To learn more, please visit People Incorporated.

If you are located in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes, or Yancey County, NC, please contact Adrian Tait with the High Country Workforce Development Board to inquire about funding for any local training provided by BPE. You may reach Mr. Tait at 828-265-5434 x 129 or atait@regiond.org. (And please don't let the grant application intimidate you ... we can help with the paperwork!)