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Career Details

47-4011.01 - Energy Auditors


Conduct energy audits of buildings, building systems, or process systems. May also conduct investment grade audits of buildings or systems.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
101,200
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
109,200
Estimate
Change in Employment
+8,100
Estimate
Change in Employment %
+8%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Measure energy usage with devices such as data loggers, universal data recorders, light meters, sling psychrometers, psychrometric charts, flue gas analyzers, amp probes, watt meters, volt meters, thermometers, or utility meters.
  • Perform tests such as blower-door tests to locate air leaks.
  • Inspect or evaluate building envelopes, mechanical systems, electrical systems, or process systems to determine the energy consumption of each system.
  • Prepare audit reports containing energy analysis results or recommendations for energy cost savings.
  • Analyze energy bills, including utility rates or tariffs, to gather historical energy usage data.
  • Analyze technical feasibility of energy-saving measures, using knowledge of engineering, energy production, energy use, construction, maintenance, system operation, or process systems.
  • Calculate potential for energy savings.
  • Collect and analyze field data related to energy usage.
  • Compare existing energy consumption levels to normative data.
  • Determine patterns of building use to show annual or monthly needs for heating, cooling, lighting, or other energy needs.
  • Educate customers on energy efficiency or answer questions on topics such as the costs of running household appliances or the selection of energy-efficient appliances.
  • Identify and prioritize energy-saving measures.
  • Identify opportunities to improve the operation, maintenance, or energy efficiency of building or process systems.
  • Quantify energy consumption to establish baselines for energy use or need.
  • Oversee installation of equipment such as water heater wraps, pipe insulation, weatherstripping, door sweeps, or low-flow showerheads to improve energy efficiency.
  • Prepare job specification sheets for home energy improvements, such as attic insulation, window retrofits, or heating system upgrades.
  • Recommend energy-efficient technologies or alternate energy sources.
  • Examine commercial sites to determine the feasibility of installing equipment that allows building management systems to reduce electricity consumption during peak demand periods.
  • Identify any health or safety issues related to planned weatherization projects.
  • Inspect newly installed energy-efficient equipment to ensure that it was installed properly and is performing according to specifications.
Supplemental
  • Verify income eligibility of participants in publicly financed weatherization programs.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Building and Construction
  • 87%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Mathematics
  • 78%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Customer and Personal Service
  • 78%
    Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 73%
    Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
 Physics
  • 72%
    Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 Mechanical
  • 72%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 English Language
  • 68%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Clerical
  • 65%
    Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 65%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Design
  • 65%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Education and Training
  • 64%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
 Sales and Marketing
  • 62%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
 Administration and Management
  • 56%
    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 Economics and Accounting
  • 54%
    Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
 Production and Processing
  • 51%
    Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 51%
    Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Liquid and gas flow measuring and observing instruments
  • Air current testers
  • Draft gauges
  • Duct probe velometers
 Non destructive examination equipment
  • Blower doors
  • Smoke generators
  • Smoke pens
 Gas analyzers and monitors
  • Carbon dioxide CO2 testers
  • Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Flue gas analyzers
  • Heating system combustion analyzers
 Computer data input devices
  • Computer data input scanners
  • Dataloggers
 Temperature and heat measuring instruments
  • Digital infrared thermometers
  • Handheld digital thermometers
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Digital multimeters
  • Electrical circuit tracers
  • Volt meters
  • Wattmeters
 Cameras
  • Digital still cameras
  • Digital video cameras
 Meteorological instruments
  • Electronic hygrothermometers
  • Insolation meters
  • Recording anemometers
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
  • Tablet computers
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Data management and query software
  • Abraxas Energy Consulting Metrix
  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • dBASE
  • Microsoft AccessHOT
  • Microsoft Visual FoxPro
  • Salesforce
  • Structured query language SQLHOT
 Industry specific software
  • ACCA Manual J
  • Architectural Energy Corporation ENFORMA Building Diagnostics
  • Architectural Energy Corporation REM/Rate
  • Autodesk AutoCADHOT
  • Computer aided design CAD softwareHOT
  • Cool Roof Calculator
  • DesignBuilder Software DesignBuilder
  • EffTec EffTrack
  • Ekotrope RATER
  • Elite Software Energy Audit
  • Enercom Energy Depot for Business
  • Enercom Energy Depot for Homes
  • Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor
  • EnergyPlus
  • Facility Energy Decision Systems FEDS
  • Federal Renewable Energy Screening Assistant FRESA
  • Fielding Data Labs OptoMizer
  • Fundamental Objects foAudits
  • Good Steward Software EnergyCAP
  • Home Energy Efficient Design HEEDHOT
  • IBM SPSS StatisticsHOT
  • InterEnergy Software Building Energy Analyzer PRO
  • Itron Enterprise Energy Management EEM Suite
  • MotorMaster+
  • Onset Computer Corporation HOBOware
  • Performance Systems Development TREAT
  • Program for Energy Analysis of Residences PEAR
  • Psychrometric chart software
  • REScheck
  • Retrofit Energy Savings Estimation Model RESEM
  • SASHOT
  • Snugg Home Snugg Pro
  • The MathWorks MATLABHOT
  • The Weatherization Assistant
  • Trane TRACE
  • Wolfram Research Mathematica
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Adobe Systems Adobe PhotoshopHOT
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft WordHOT
 Development software
  • C++HOT
  • Microsoft .NET FrameworkHOT
  • Microsoft Visual BasicHOT
  • PythonHOT
  • RHOT
 Information exchange software
  • ESRI ArcGIS
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Network applications software
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Web browser software
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
  • Microsoft SharePointHOT
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
FastForward at Virginia's Community Colleges is a short-term training program for high-demand industries, like healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades and infrastructure, helping Virginians get the jobs and salaries they need. Our goal is to get you trained, help you earn your certification, and get you into a career that can support you and your family. Explore the latest training program offerings by visiting FastForward
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific certifications are listed for this career
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Virginia Western Community College