BPI HHE study guide
BPI HHE · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Healthy Home Evaluator (HHE) is one of the certifications listed by the Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI), a non-profit that describes its mission as advancing the home performance industry through nationally recognized standards and credentials aimed at homes that are comfortable, healthy, safe, durable, and energy efficient. BPI positions its credentials as "the symbol of excellence for home performance professionals." The HHE sits alongside BPI's other certifications, such as Building Analyst Technician, Building Analyst Professional, Energy Auditor, Quality Control Inspector, and Multifamily Building Analyst, and near its Healthy Housing Principles certificate. Candidates are typically home performance practitioners, auditors, weatherization staff, and contractors who want to identify and prioritize health and safety concerns in housing rather than energy savings alone. The BPI HHE study guide has 4 sections and about 1,499 words.
01Healthy Home Evaluation: Process, Priorities, and Documentation
A healthy home evaluation is a structured, occupant-centered investigation of how a dwelling performs for the people living in it. The candidate must understand the standard sequence: gather history (complaints, timing, occupancy, recent renovations, water events), walk the exterior and drainage plane, then move room by room assessing moisture, ventilation, combustion appliances, pest activity, chemical sources, safety devices, and occupant behavior.
364 words, about 2 min02Building Science Fundamentals: Pressure, Moisture, and Thermal Performance
A building separates inside from outside with four control layers: water, air, vapor, and thermal. Candidates should be able to explain what each does and where they belong in an assembly.
379 words, about 2 min03Indoor Environmental Quality: Sources, Ventilation, and Measurement
Indoor environmental quality covers biological, chemical, particulate, and combustion pollutants. Candidates should know representative sources: moisture and dust mites, mold, and pests for biological; volatile organic compounds from finishes, adhesives, and furnishings for chemical; cooking, candles, and outdoor infiltration for particulates; and gas ranges, fireplaces, and attached garages for combustion byproducts including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.
382 words, about 2 min04Occupant Health and Safety: Vulnerable Groups, Combustion, and Injury Prevention
Health effects vary with age, health status, pregnancy, and exposure duration. Infants, older adults, people with asthma or cardiovascular disease, and immunocompromised individuals are more susceptible.
374 words, about 2 min