NIA’s Insulation Energy Appraisal Program™
The Insulation Energy Appraisal Program™ (IEAP) is a 2-day course that teaches students how to determine the optimal insulation thickness and corresponding energy and dollar savings for a project. The program was designed to teach students the necessary information to give facility managers a better understanding of the true dollar and performance value of their insulated systems. If you are interested in taking the IEAP course, please email training@insulation.org for more information. View a sample agenda and course information here.
2026 Virtual Courses
April Virtual Course
April 22-23, 2026
Registration deadline: April 1, 2026
Register online or through the PDF registration
November Virtual Course
November 4-5, 2026
Registration deadline: October 9, 2026
Register online or through the PDF registration
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About the Program
During the course you will learn how to conduct a facility walk through, use the 3E Plus® software, utilize infrared cameras during inspections, understand steam efficiencies, analyze and complete an appraisal spreadsheet, and present your customer with a final report that outlines the potential savings and emission reductions that mechanical insulation can provide.
Click here to see a Job Description of a NIA Certified Insulation Energy Appraiser.
Pre-Qualifications
The IEAP is developed for individuals who have good communication skills, experience in commercial and/or industrial construction, understand the fundamentals of insulation systems and products, can recognize basic safety concerns during a facility visit, are mathematically inclined, and have basic computer literacy.
Registration Fees and Class Format
The course typically runs from 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. CT (Click here to view a sample course agenda). The cost of attending the course is $2,095 (discounted cash/check rate) or $2,180 (standard rate) for non-members. A discounted rate of $1,495 (discounted cash/check rate) or $1,555 (standard rate) is available for NIA members.
Click here to read about NIA's Cancellation Policy and Course Guidelines.
Course Materials
A newly designed, full-color professionally printed course manual, 3E Plus software, Microsoft Excel custom spreadsheet, and a final report template. Students who pass the exam will also receive a certificate and marketing kit. Click here for NIA's copyright and disclaimers information for the course.
Materials required for class participation include: laptop computer with Excel software, Windows operating software (XP, Vista, or version 7 or newer), and 10 MB of available space.
Exam Details
The certification exam is 50 questions covering information discussed in the IEAP course and materials. Students must score 70% or higher to pass and become a Certified Insulation Energy Appraiser.
Computer Requirements for the Virtual Course and Online Exam
A computer with a recent operating system (less than 3–4 years old) that has Google Chrome installed (click here to download the latest version) and a consistent Internet connection capable of uploading files larger than 3 Mbps is required. A web camera and microphone are required for course participation and the exam. If using a Windows computer–you may need to disable your firewall. We recommend using a personal computer if you have one available. If you are using a Windows personal computer on your home network, you may still be required to disable your firewall.
NIA has partnered with a new testing vendor and for your certification exam. Rosalyn is an online proctoring platform who NIA has partnered with to proctor your exam. To review all guidelines and requirements, please click here.
Retake Eligibility & Process
If you do not achieve the required passing score of 70% or higher on the exam, you are eligible to retake the exam through NIA’s online testing platform 3 additional times.
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Exam Retake Fee: $145 for the first retake, then $195 each for the second and third retakes (if needed). Payment must be submitted before your exam is scheduled.
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Scheduling: Once payment is received, you must email NIA to schedule the exam for your preferred date and time. If you do not schedule within 48 hours (2 business days) of purchase, the exam purchase will expire, and a new payment will be required.
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Multiple Attempts: If you do not pass, you may retake the exam up to 3 times for an additional $145 fee. A minimum of 48 hours is required between attempts.
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Time Limit: You have up to one year from the date of your original exam to successfully retake it.
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Maximum Attempts: After three unsuccessful attempts or if more than one year has passed, you will be required to retake the full IEAP course at the full price, before testing again.
Tip: We recommend retaking the exam as soon as possible while the course material is still fresh in your mind.
Professional Instructors
Jeff DeGraaf, a 45-year industry veteran, is a former contracting business owner, a past NIA Board Member, and former Midwest Insulation Contractors Association (MICA) President. Jeff retired from the industry with 45 years of experience in petrochemicals, power plants, cement plants, and food and beverage facilities. He holds safety and equipment certifications and has served as an SME to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), MICA, and for the National Commercial and Industrial Insulation Standards Manual (Standards Manual). Jeff sits on the Standards Manual committee and has chaired several committees. Jeff is also project lead for the development of National Insulation Standards. He is a NIA Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector, a Certified Energy Appraiser, and also is an instructor for both of these NIA certification-level classes.
Insights from Jeff: “Whether you are new to the insulation industry or have 40+ years of experience like I do, I highly recommend both NIA’s certification-level courses: the Insulation Energy Appraisal Program and the Thermal Insulation Inspector Program. The scope and depth of the information provided over the course of just a few days may surprise you and will provide a new way to see to our industry.”
Scott Sinclair, is the National Specification Manager, Industrial Insulation at Johns Manville (JM). From June 2019 through March 2020, he was Regional Technical Manager for the Eastern and Midwest United States and Eastern Canada. Before joining JM, he was the National Sales Manager for Scott Manufacturing, an insulation fabricator for the OEM HVAC and appliance markets. Previously, he was the North America Sales and Technical Manager for ULVA Insulation Systems. Scott represents JM’s Industrial Insulation group on various AMPP, API, NIA, and ASTM committees. He is a NIA Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector and Insulation Energy Appraiser, and also is an instructor for both of these NIA certification-level classes.
Insights from Scott: “For anyone thinking about getting certified as an Appraiser or Inspector, my advice is don’t wait—do it now! You will be adding value to your organization’s value proposition by offering an additional service to your customers or helping them meet energy efficiency goals through an optimized insulation system. NIA’s courses are designed to educate, inform, and help you meet your customers’ needs.”
Gordon H. Hart, P.E., is a consulting engineer for Artek Engineering, LLC, having spent more than 40 years in the thermal insulation industry. Hart is an active member of ASTM committees C16 on Thermal Insulation and F25 on Marine Technology and ASHRAE’s Technical Committees on Insulation for Mechanical Systems and on Custom Engineered Refrigerant Systems, Piping, Controls and Accessories. He has engineering degrees from Princeton University and Purdue University and is a licensed Professional Engineer.
Based in Appleton, Wisconsin, Erica Schneider is a NIA Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector™ for Mechanical Insulation Consulting Group, a subsidiary of Bartelt Insulation Supply, Inc. In her current position, she specializes in anhydrous ammonia insulation systems and has more than 20 years of experience in the industrial insulation industry—from being indentured as an apprentice to becoming a Project Manager, Certified Inspector, and Energy Appraiser.
Insights from Erica: “As an NIA Certified Thermal Insulation Inspector™ and Energy Appraiser™, I highly value the additional services our company can offer to our customers along with our Preventative Maintenance Program. NIA's flexible in-person and virtual course options make certification accessible to insulation professionals from diverse backgrounds. As an instructor, I've found that interactions across different experience levels and regions improve the group’s expertise and elevate industry standards.”
Certified Appraisers
Students who pass the certified course exam will become Certified Insulation Energy Appraisers™. The certification will be valid for 3 years, after which the individual must recertify. After passing the exam, students will receive a certificate, lapel pin, and marketing kit. The marketing kit includes the official copyrighted Certified Insulation Energy Appraiser™ logo to promote their certification to clients.
As an added benefit to NIA members, all NIA member-certified appraisers will be listed on NIA's website and promoted through other NIA programs and publications such as NIA News, Insulation Outlook, press releases, and industry presentations.
Customized Training
NIA can customize presentations and training programs for your company. By bringing the training course to your office, your business can minimize the time employees are away and save on travel expenses.