subject: What Is An Energy Auditor [print this page] A career as an energy auditor is becoming an increasingly important one as more and more people are looking to make their homes more energy-efficient. Not only is this important so that people can save money, but it's also important for the environment because more efficient homes mean less energy waste and less negative impact on the environment, too, including fewer carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.
The career outlook for an Energy Auditor is very good. They make on average $30-$60 thousand a year.
Recently, tax incentives have persuaded more people to jump on board and hire energy auditors. This means that this is a career that is in particular demand right now, and it's a good one for you to get into if you want to do something that's going to help the environment and be in a lucrative career besides.
How is an energy auditor pursuing a "green" career?
Because energy auditors help people be more efficient in their energy usage, they in effect impact the environment positively because less energy waste means that fewer fossil fuels are burned. And this helps us, our environment, and our fellow species be healthier and happier, which can mean longer lives for all of us.
What type of education do you need to have in order to be energy auditor?
In general, this isn't yet a standardized profession, so that different companies and agencies will have different requirements for their employees in regard to the education they need to have. In some cases, a bachelor's degree in engineering is all you're going to need. In other areas, you'll need a graduate degree in an area like engineering to get the job. You may also need to have experience in business management and maybe even a degree in business management itself.
Info Considering a career as an energy auditor
If you're considering a career as an energy auditor, one of the things you will definitely be involved in is engineering. Beyond that, though, as previously stated, educational requirements vary from company to company. If you have a particular company in mind that you would like to work for as an energy auditor, contact that company and find out what level of education and experience you have to have. Getting experience to become an energy auditor
Beyond a bachelor's degree in engineering and other requisite additional education, you'll also need to have some practical experience before you can become an energy auditor. Most often, you'll start as an adjunct or support to another energy auditor. In this way, you'll get to learn the responsibilities on the job as you work. In many cases, if the company you want to work for requires that you have advanced degree such as a business degree or other advanced degree specifically related to becoming an energy auditor, you can begin as an apprentice of sorts or support to another energy auditor and continue your education as you work. In addition, many of the degree programs themselves have a certain amount of work-study built into them.
Provisional certification
In some cases, prospective employers may allow candidates who want to be energy auditors but don't yet have the job experience to take an exam for provisional certification in employment, and then allow them to gain the necessary work experience to be truly qualified. Upon completion of minimum practical experience, the candidate is given full certification. The amount of time this takes varies between jurisdictions, but generally takes between two and six years.
