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Building Operator Certification: Improving Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Through Operator Training and Certification
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Date
2001
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Energy Systems Laboratory (http://esl.tamu.edu)
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)
Texas A&M University (http://www.tamu.edu)
Abstract
Building Operator Certification (BOC) is a
competency-based certification for building operators
designed to improve the energy efficiency of
commercial buildings. Operators earn certification by
attending training sessions and completing project
assignments in their facilities. The certification
provides a credential for their professional
development while also offering employers a way to
identify skilled operators. Developed as a market
transformation venture with funding from the
Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, evaluation
research has shown BOC participants are saving
money and energy in their facilities, and awareness
among major employers is growing. BOC is now
expanding to serve other regions of the country
including the Northeast, California and Wisconsin. It
is being offered as a turnkey program to interested
organizations and utilities and can be operationalized
within a year to serve customers quickly. It also
serves as a platform for other energy efficiency
initiatives such as building commissioning,
EnergyStar benchmarking, and resource conservation
manager. This paper will discuss the development
and implementation of the Building Operator
Certification, market response to BOC in the
Northwest and Northeast, and energy saving and
customer service benefits.