The DOE Building Energy Codes Program offered a series of online webinars as a follow-on to the 2022 National Energy Codes Conference. The series included a variety of special topics of interest to all energy code stakeholders—for both residential & commercial buildings. Events were held every other Thursday at 1 pm (eastern), beginning August 18, 2022.
Continuing Education
Continuing education credits (AIA, ICC, RESNET) were offered for the live events. Instructions for requesting certificates of completion will be provided during each webinar.
Series Lineup
View the series lineup below and select for event descriptions, recordings, and presentation files.
Taking Charge of Climate Change through Stretch Codes
Date/Time: Thursday, August 18, 2022 @ 1:00-2:15pm ET (12 CT /11 MT /10 PT)
Host: Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Speakers: Casey Studhalter, D.C. Department of Energy and Environment; Alison Lindburg, MEEA; Nick Goldsmith, Town of Ithaca, NY
Description: With advancements in building technologies and the current impacts of climate change, cities and states are seeking creative policies to quickly adapt to this ever-changing landscape. Stretch codes have provided many jurisdictions an opportunity to identify and implement changes to their building codes and standards to achieve climate goals and future-proof the built environment. In this session, you will hear how states and localities are addressing climate and emissions through the adoption and implementation of stretch energy codes, ordinances, and zoning changes.
Energy Codes and Utility Programs: The Peanut Butter & Jelly of Energy Efficiency
Date/Time: Thursday, September 8, 2022 @ 1:00-2:00pm ET (12 CT /11 MT /10 PT)
Host: Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
Speakers: Jim Meyers, SWEEP (Moderator); Rob Buchanan, Xcel Energy; Sharon Bonesteel, Salt River Project
Description: Energy codes raise the proverbial energy efficiency floor while typical utility investments support programs well above code. However, this dynamic has changed considerably; creative energy code claimed savings programs have emerged as a win, win, win solution, helping utilities achieve their goals, jurisdictions address climate change, and consumers save on their energy bills. This session will explore the intersection of codes and utility programs by highlighting current best practices and opportunities for the future.
Energy Code Implementation: Insights from the Field to the Classroom
Date/Time: Thursday, September 22, 2022 @ 1:00-2:00pm (12 CT /11 MT /10 PT)
Host: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Speakers: Ian Blanding, PNNL; Rob Vieira, FSEC
Description: With the rollout of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), opportunities to improve energy code implementation across the country are top of mind. Although $225 million is earmarked to support creative implementation efforts, it's often helpful to better understand compliance trends and learn from successful education and training efforts. In this session, speakers will highlight new research on residential compliance pathway preferences, demonstrate a new tool to gauge code compliance challenges and opportunities in states across the U.S. and discuss energy code education and training best practices.
Less is More: Building to Zero Energy, Water, and Carbon
Date/Time: Thursday, October 6, 2022 @ 1:00-2:15pm ET (12 CT /11 MT /10 PT)
Host: Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP)
Speakers: Jessie Burley, Sustainability and Parking Manager, Town of Breckenridge; Mike Collingnon, Executive Director of Green Builder Coalition; Inonge Mubita, Manager of Buildings at the International Living Future Institute
Description: Recurring droughts and fires, severe weather stressing electric grids, and fluctuations in energy costs have communities and individuals increasingly seeking out solutions to create more resilient homes and businesses. Highly efficient and resilient buildings that are energy, carbon, and water neutral have often been considered out of reach, but with new technologies and increasing energy and water prices, they are more attainable than ever. This session will explore the current state of “zero” and identify the challenges holding us back and opportunities, such as energy codes, pushing us forward.
Cracking the Code: Unlocking the Benefits of Off-site Construction
Date/Time: Thursday, October 20, 2022 @ 1:00-2:00pm ET (12 CT /11 MT /10 PT)
Host: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Speakers: Ryan Colker, ICC; Kevin Grosskopf, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Description: Industrialized construction practices, such as off-site manufacturing, have demonstrated an ability to reduce build times, lower costs, improve quality and performance, reduce environmental impact, create safer working environments, and increase overall construction productivity. Although this practice is far from new, challenges persist around code fragmentation, state and local inspections, and general education. In this session, we will hear about how DOE is supporting this practice through the Advanced Building Construction Initiative, the development of new off-site construction standards, and how manufacturers are finding creative ways to streamline code compliance.
Outside-the-Box Options to Advance Multifamily Building Efficiency
Date/Time: Thursday, November 17, 2022 @ 1:00-2:00pm ET (12 CT /11 MT /10 PT)
Host: Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA)
Speakers: Robb Aldrich, Steven Winter Associates; Duane Jonlin, Energy Code and Energy Conservation Advisor, Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections
Description: Multifamily buildings have historically been a challenging building type when it comes to energy code requirements. Whether its challenges related to envelope tightness and testing, implementing new technologies such as EV, PV, storage or heat pumps, or even knowing which code to use – this building type is often the topic of conversation. In this session, speakers will present new multifamily research and insights to continue to advance efficiency through energy codes.
Additional pre-recorded topics and other training resources are also available on energycodes.gov.