Building Operator Certification: Improving Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Through Operator Training and Certification

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.