How to Become a Home Energy Score Certified Assessor
Complete all U.S. Department of Energy Training Requirements with our approved “Fast Track Training” program in 3 easy steps!
Step 1: Hold/Acquire a relevant credential.
Please visit this website Become an Assessor | Better Buildings Initiative (energy.gov) to determine if you hold one of the relevant credentials before moving forward with the SIM. The Department of Energy requires that you hold a relevant credential because it establishes that you understand the basics of a home’s functions. If you are unsure about whether you have the correct credentials give us a call so that we can discuss your situation. Once you can verify that you have a relevant credential you are free to sign up for the SIM Training.
Step 2: Register and Complete SIM Training. – Register Now
Cost: $375
This training support program includes your registration and on-boarding. In addition to the SIM access and support you will be provided with an introductory webinar on the SIM. In this webinar we will instruct you on how to maneuver within the SIM and successfully complete it.
Step 3: Congratulations, you passed!
Once you complete the SIM you will receive an email from the Department of Energy email, [email protected], informing you that you have passed and completed the SIM. This email instructs you on what to do next. This includes how to make your account and access the DOE portal. It will also include information about the score and an up-to-date assessor calculator.
Step 4: Orientation
This is where we will introduce you to Paperless Inspector’s Home Energy Scoring Tool and show you the mentorship process. This will consist of a prearranged meeting between the mentor and the mentee where we will help you learn how to use our software and answer any questions you have about our process.
Step 5: Initial 5 QA
Cost: $875
In order to be officially certified as an assessor you need to complete our mentorship program. Our mentorship includes one-on-one meetings to review the score. We require that you complete 5 scores as a part of our program. As these scores are completed our Mentor will submit a parallel score and submit that to the DOE for the final sign off. Once these 5 scores have been completed you are now a certified assessor.
Step 6: QA
Cost: $450 per 100 scores
ID Energy is one of the DOE’s approved Virtual QA providers. We utilize your photos to review your files and ensure that we keep your costs down and your clients happy.
Get started with your Fast Track Training today and become a Home Energy Score Certified Assessor from anywhere across the country!
This training support program includes your registration and on-boarding. In addition to the SIM training and support, you will be provided with an introductory webinar to the SIM and how to successfully maneuver around the program and successfully complete it. IDE provides support for up to 30 days to complete the SIM portion of the Home Energy Score Assessor training.
* We rely on our students and candidates to provide the level of participation to complete the mentorship and Home Energy Score requirements within the allotted time. IDE and IDI are not responsible for nonparticipating registrants and delayed completion times. IDE will work with reasonable requests for extensions if necessary. All requests must be in writing.
Additional information
Home Inspection Association
Custom / Submit RFI, ASHI, FABI, InterNACHI
Initial 5 QA
The DOE and Home Energy Score Program requires that your first or “Initial 5 Assessments” after your mentorship need to receive full QA oversight. Rather than performing a second independent in-field assessment for Quality Assurance, the Desktop QA Auditor receives photos of the home’s key features. Using these photos and other supporting information readily available, the Auditor can verify the data entered by the Assessor compared to the photo evidence. Any points of contention can be discussed through automated notifications and emails between the Assessor and QA Auditor. At the end, this becomes an excellent learning experience for the inspector, and in all ways, helps to shape the inspector’s skills and technical expertise.
Find out more about our “Virtual QA Program” here.
Home Energy Score Simulation Training
The Home Energy Score Simulation Training (“Sim”) is like playing a video game. It teaches prospective Assessors important information about the Home Energy Score. Through the Sim, you conduct virtual home walk throughs in homes designed to show a variety of situations you might encounter. Understanding the Sim is vital not only to passing the test homes and written exam, but also to performing successful Home Energy Score assessments and producing Home Energy Score reports.
Passing the Sim training course is by far the most difficult and time-consuming portion of the Home Energy Score training for all assessors. Luckily, I.D. Energy has made it simple!
I.D. Energy has created “Sim Training Resources” that include in-depth tutorial videos that you can simply follow along to help guide you easily through the training. We guarantee it will cut your time online, at least, in half! In addition to the tutorial videos, the “Sim Training Resources” will give you access to our weekly online webinars, and the ability to post with other assessors on the Home Energy Score Facebook community. To begin training and receive your Sim Training Resources, sign up for your Virtual Mentorship with I.D. Energy today!
Virtual Mentorship
Step 1: Assess a Home
Use your Sim Training to perform a Home Energy Score on your home at your time and convenience. Use I.D. Energy tips and help videos if necessary to collect the right data. Link to our Facebook community to answer any questions or review comments and tips from other inspectors.
Step 2: Use Scoring Tool
Enter your Home Energy Score Data and Photos into Paperless Inspector's Home Energy Scoring Tool or the I.D. Energy Home Energy Score App at your time and convenience.
Step 3: Review with Mentor
Schedule an online webinar/meeting with your designated Virtual Mentor, at your convenience. You will both review your entire upload, including data and photos with a certified Mentor via a 60-90 min webinar.
Step 4: Offer the Score
You are now a Home Energy Score Certified Assessor. Use the Facebook community to see how other colleagues are offering the score. Get information on real estate presentations, CE for Realtors, flyers, door hangers and so much more. All free to the network.
I.D. Energy has worked closely with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score program to design and build an approved remote mentorship program. The Virtual Mentorship allows Candidates to become qualified from right in front of their computer, webinar based, one on one. No more waiting for a field mentor. No more delays or frustration because there is no one within 100 miles of your location to complete your mentorship. Moreover, no more being on your own. The Virtual Mentorship program is not just a way to finalize your assessor qualification, it is also a way to complete the entire knowledge transfer in relation to the program, on a one to one basis with your peers.
I contacted the I.D. Energy organization who guided me effortlessly through the final stages of the becoming a Home Energy Score Assessor. The final stage is completing an actual assessment and having a mentor accompany one through the final report.
Inspection Depot responded quickly to my e-mail queries to set up a 90-minute overview of the assessment I had complied a few days before. The assessment had to have both video & photos uploaded into the report to qualify the input data. The mentorship (“Go-To Meeting”) had two experienced field experts in the Home Energy field coach & positively critique the assessment & give guidance for future assessments.
The whole process is very professional, the mentors are very patient & knowledgeable. I thank them for their time & professionalism.
Time is money, Sign Up for your Virtual Mentorship today and start earning tomorrow! After completing the “Sim” Online Training there are three steps to successfully complete the Virtual Mentorship process to become an approved Home Energy Score Assessor.
