A Skilled Workforce
Energy Smart Colorado’s success is built on the quality of its local workforce. Energy Smart Colorado (ESC) is actively providing training and resources to Energy Smart analysts and contractors to foster a resilient local energy efficiency economy.
Information for Prospective Contractors
Energy Smart Colorado strives to make energy improvements simple and affordable. To do that, Energy Smart Colorado Partners need skilled workers to help local residents and businesses complete critical energy efficiency upgrades.
Colorado’s energy economy is changing rapidly, and the state is committed to 100% net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To reduce emissions, it is essential to expand the clean energy workforce.
Why Choose a Career in Clean Energy?
As we transition into a climate-conscious economy, our communities need local, skilled contractors that can support the installation of clean energy infrastructure, in both residences and commercial buildings.
A Sustainable Career Path
Clean energy careers are growing in popularity and demand, meaning technicians could earn competitive salaries, supported by stable employment. A sustainable career is not only good for the health of our environment–it also opens the doorway for establishing a long-term career.
Match Your Interests
If you like using tools, working with your hands, and getting out from behind a desk, a career in clean energy could be a great fit! Listen to Jennifer’s testimonial and learn more about what a career in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) could look like for you.
Knowledge Sharing
Some people may not know very much about how their home uses energy and how improvements can increase the comfort of their living space. Working in clean energy, you can help educate participants on cost effective improvements that can increase comfort, reduce utility expenses, and save energy.
Saving Energy = Saving Money
Energy upgrades can enable a building to operate more efficiently, using less energy and reducing expenses. Implementing these smart technologies requires knowledgeable installers. In choosing a clean energy career, you can play a key role in helping customers save money and increase comfort in their homes.
Old Systems Need Upgrades
Many homes in Colorado have heating and cooling systems that are over 20 years old. Additionally, as buildings get older, they may feel less comfortable in all seasons. Repairs, replacements, and installations of efficient systems rely on a skilled workforce.
Going Green
Colorado cares about the environment. Many people and businesses want to consider eco-friendly swaps, including in their home energy systems, to save energy and do their part to help the environment. Technicians and skilled workers who know how to work with solar, electric, and geothermal systems are in high demand.
Interested in Learning More?
Complete this 2-minute survey to help us better understand what types of training and career exploration opportunities you may be interested in. Submitting this survey will allow ESC to stay in touch with you about opportunities and trainings that may be a good fit!
Take the 2-Minute SurveyClean Energy Trade Pathways
There are many career pathways in clean energy trades that may be a good fit for you. Explore the following pathways by clicking on the job titles below to learn more.
These job profiles were created through a collaboration between Energy Smart Colorado and Xcel Energy Clean Energy Careers. With a shared goal for growing the clean energy workforce, we work together to promote clean energy careers through outreach, education, and youth engagement.
Energy Auditor / Building Analyst
Use tools and tests to measure energy use within a building, helping residents and businesses save energy, improve comfort within the building, and plan for installing energy-saving upgrades.
Average Salary: $56,000–$98,000 / year
Source: Glassdoor
Air Sealing / Insulation Technician
Install insulation and seal air leakage gaps. Work with a variety of insulation materials to keep buildings energy efficient, comfortable, and safe.
Average Salary: $18.91–$39.55 / hour
Source: CareerOneStop
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Technician
Install, service, and repair heating and air conditioning systems (HVAC) in residences and commercial establishments.
Average Salary: $22.98–$40.68 / hour
Source: CEF Colorado
The Energy Auditor / Building Analyst Training Pathway
Energy Smart Colorado works to transform the local energy efficiency market, stimulating home and business energy improvements through access to information, capital, and a skilled workforce.
One way ESC works to accomplish this is by providing residents and businesses with Energy Assessments. Home energy assessments are conducted by Energy Auditors/Building Analysts: professionals who have industry-recognized credentials, skills, and training about whole home efficiency. The Building Performance Institute Inc (BPI) is the nation’s premier standards development and credentialing organization for the home performance industry.
A common pathway to becoming an Energy Auditor or Building Analyst starts with three BPI recognized training courses that provide the necessary background knowledge:
Building Science Principles (BSP)
May also be known as Home Performance Advocate (HPA)
The Building Science Principles Certificate of Knowledge is the first step to understanding how homes work as a system — improving comfort, efficiency, and performance.
Building Analyst-Technician (BA-T)
The Building Analyst-Technician course builds on a strong foundation in building systems, testing procedures, and industry standards, emphasizing data collection and diagnostic testing that support whole-home energy assessments.
Building Analyst-Professional (BA-P)
The Building Analyst-Professional course goes beyond diagnostics — how to analyze energy modeling data, evaluate building systems, and deliver prioritized recommendations to improve comfort, efficiency, and indoor air quality. This certification builds on the foundational BA-T credential. Together, BA-T and BA-P offer a powerful pathway to deeper expertise in whole-home performance.
Training Providers
Blue Sky Training and Everblue Training are among the training providers offering the Building Analyst certifications in three courses that result in individual certifications. Each of these courses can be completed online, in a self-paced format.
Blue Sky Training
Blue Sky Training’s Building Analyst Pathway bundle is offered for $2,500. Blue Sky provides proctoring for the BA-T and BA-P exams and can loan candidates the field equipment required for the BA-T exam.
Everblue Training
Everblue Training’s BPI Building Analyst Certification package is available for $2,499. Everblue can provide proctoring for the BA-T and BA-P exams. Equipment is not provided for the BA-T field exam if enrolled in the online course. Everblue also offers courses in a hybrid/blended format, though this is currently not available in Colorado.
Building Performance Association (BPA)
BPA provides access to a free, online introductory course covering Building Science Principles. BPA offers Building Science courses both online and in-person, at variable timelines and costs. More information and other educational resources can be found on BPA’s website.
Field exams, including the oral exam associated with the BA-T course, must be completed at an official Building Performance Institute (BPI) Test Center. Use BPI’s locator tool to find a test center near you. In Energy Smart’s region, Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) has established a BPI Test Center based in Gypsum, CO. At this facility, NWCCOG can proctor the BA-T and BA-P exams, among other building-science related exams.
Tools and Equipment for Energy Auditors / Building Analysts
A Building Analyst Professional or Energy Auditor will need to understand how to use a variety of specialized tools to collect data and conduct diagnostic tests of whole home performance.
Some Energy Smart Colorado partner organizations may be able to offer analysts the ability to use these tools for free or at a reduced cost.
| Item | Purpose | Approximate Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Blower Door Kit with digital manometer and manual speed control | Determine air leakage of building envelope; includes hoses, blower door frame, fan, blower door canvas, manometer, etc. | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Combustion Analyzer | Test appliances and air for Carbon Monoxide, Combustion efficiency & safety | $750–$1,500 |
| Combustible Gas Leak Detector | Locate natural gas and propane leaks | $200–$300 |
| Pressure Pan | Isolate leakage on a duct run | $100–$300 |
| Infrared Thermal Imager | Quickly read surface temperatures to track thermal defects | $125–$500 |
| Exhaust Fan Flow Meter | Measure airflow through exhaust fans | $135–$340 |
| Smoke pencils or other smoke visualization equipment | Visualize airflow and leakage | $40–$70 |
| Duct Tightness Tester with digital manometer | Determine air leakage of HVAC duct system | $2,000–$2,225 |
Clean Energy Career Resources
Want to learn more about clean energy trades?
- See how different careers in the energy efficiency industry are connected by using the Green Buildings Career Map. This tool can show you pathways between these occupations and the necessary credentials you may need to progress in the field.
- View the community colleges in Colorado offering training, degrees and certificate programs that can launch your career.
- Colorado Mountain College (CMC), with its 11 campuses in Colorado’s mountain communities, offers academic pathways in Skilled Trades, including HVAC training. Visit their website to explore pathways or contact CMC admissions for more information.
- Explore Green Workforce Connect to learn more about careers in building performance, weatherization, and clean energy.
- Ready to start learning? Explore free building science resources and training materials provided by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Science Education Solution Center.
- The Energy Efficiency Business Coalition (EEBC) is a statewide trade association of non-utility companies that provide energy efficiency, demand response, and data analytics products and services in Colorado. Visit EEBC’s Workforce Training page to learn about HVAC jobs, get trained, and be connected with potential employers.