EDGE Expert study plan
EDGE Expert · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
EDGE software and modeling of resource savings
Navigate the EDGE web app: create a project, set location, building type, and gross floor area
Define the base case versus the improved case and explain the 20% savings threshold logic
Enter a basic envelope and HVAC input set for a residential project
Read the results dashboard and interpret energy, water, and embodied energy savings percentages
Your checkpoint
A saved EDGE project file for one residential and one commercial building, with a one-page written summary of base vs improved case inputs and resulting savings percentages
EDGE software and modeling of resource savings & Energy, water and materials efficiency measures by location and climate
Model passive envelope measures (insulation, glazing, shading, roof albedo) and record the marginal savings of each
Model active energy measures (HVAC efficiency, lighting power density, hot water, on-site renewables) and record marginal savings
Compare the same measure set across two climate zones and explain the difference in results
Identify where a single measure pushes a project past the 20% threshold and where it does not
Your checkpoint
A measure-by-measure sensitivity table (at least 8 measures x 2 climate zones) showing incremental energy savings percentage for each
Energy, water and materials efficiency measures by location and climate & EDGE software and modeling of resource savings
Model water efficiency measures (low-flow fixtures, efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting) and read the water savings result
Model materials efficiency measures (flooring, walls, roof, windows) and read the embodied energy result
Map a set of candidate measures to hot-humid, hot-dry, temperate, and cold climates
Diagnose why a modeled project fails to reach 20% in one resource category and propose fixes
Your checkpoint
A climate-by-measure matrix (4 climates x 12 measures) with expected applicability and a short written diagnosis of one failing category with three corrective options
EDGE standard and green building certification process
Describe the EDGE certification pathway from registration through preliminary and final certification
List the documentation required at each certification stage and who submits it
Explain the roles of the EDGE Expert, the project team, and the independent auditor
Distinguish EDGE certification from EDGE Zero Carbon and state the requirements for each
Your checkpoint
A one-page certification process flowchart with stage gates, required documents, responsible party, and typical timeline per stage
EDGE standard and green building certification process & EDGE software and modeling of resource savings
Assemble a complete preliminary certification submission package for a sample project
Audit a modeled project for input errors, inconsistent assumptions, and unsupported savings claims
Explain how design-stage commitments must be verified at final certification against as-built conditions
Outline the EDGE Expert's role in reviewing and signing off on an audit
Your checkpoint
A mock preliminary submission package plus a written audit checklist of at least 15 verification points with the fix applied to each flagged item
Bioclimatic design and cost-benefit analysis of green design decisions & Energy, water and materials efficiency measures by location and climate
Apply orientation, massing, shading, natural ventilation, and daylighting decisions before mechanical systems are sized
Quantify the cost of at least five green design options against their modeled savings
Rank options by cost-effectiveness and identify which measures should be dropped on budget grounds
Explain how bioclimatic choices reduce the size and cost of the HVAC system that follows
Your checkpoint
A cost-benefit comparison sheet for five design options with incremental capital cost, modeled savings, simple payback in years, and a ranked recommendation
Bioclimatic design and cost-benefit analysis of green design decisions & EDGE software and modeling of resource savings & EDGE standard and green building certification process
Run a full practice project end to end: model, select measures, justify costs, and prepare submission documents
Defend trade-off decisions between two competing measure packages in writing
Answer timed practice questions across all four domains and log every miss by domain
Close knowledge gaps flagged in the previous week's practice set
Your checkpoint
A complete end-to-end practice case file with model, measure justification memo, and a scored 40-question practice set with a written error log
EDGE software and modeling of resource savings & EDGE standard and green building certification process & Energy, water and materials efficiency measures by location and climate & Bioclimatic design and cost-benefit analysis of green design decisions
Re-drill the two domains with the lowest practice scores
Recite the certification stages, thresholds, and document requirements from memory
Complete a full-length timed mock exam under exam conditions
Review every missed item and confirm each is understood before exam day
Your checkpoint
A full-length timed mock exam score report with a one-page final review sheet covering every missed concept
Milestones
Week 2: Can build an EDGE model from scratch and explain each input's effect on the three savings percentages without notes
Week 4: Can describe the full EDGE certification pathway and required documentation from memory, scoring 80% or better on a self-written 20-question quiz
Week 6: Can produce a ranked, cost-justified measure package for an unfamiliar building in an unfamiliar climate within 90 minutes
Week 8: Scores 80% or higher on the full-length timed mock exam with no domain below 70%