Energy Code, Building Performance Standards, and Incentives

Energy Code, Building Performance Standards, and Incentives

Join us on Tuesday, December 2nd, from 12:00–1:00 PM for a lively webinar diving into the latest on Energy Codes, Building Performance Standards, and Utility Incentives—all with a focus on projects in Washington and Seattle. We will share insights on energy codes for new buildings, discuss how to help owners get closer to meeting building performance standards for existing buildings, and detail utility incentives available for efficiency beyond code. We will share resources for energy-efficient technologies through BetterBricks resources.

We’ll unpack:

• Washington State and Seattle energy codes for new construction
• Strategies to help owners move closer to Building Performance Standards for existing buildings
• Utility incentives that reward efficiency beyond code
• Plus, we’ll spotlight BetterBricks resources for energy-smart technologies and share practical tools you can use right away.

Expect an interactive session—bring your insights, pinch points, and questions. This is your chance to exchange ideas, tackle barriers, and explore opportunities with peers who care about high-performance design.

Learning Objectives:

• Demystify Washington State and Seattle energy codes for new construction, uncovering key requirements and practical strategies for compliance.
• Navigate building performance standards for existing buildings, exploring pathways to help owners move closer to compliance.
• Leverage utility incentives to maximize efficiency beyond code and unlock added project value.
• Discover BetterBricks resources and energy-efficient technologies that can elevate your design and performance goals.

This opportunity is made possible through generous support from our partners at Solarc Energy Group, BetterBricks, NEEA, and Puget Sound Energy. AIA Continuing Education Credits will be available (1 HSW CEU).

Zoom Link will be at the bottom of your order confirmation email and will be re-sent as the event approaches.

Speakers:

Eric Knowles, P.E. is the principal mechanical engineer and is Solarc’s leading expert in the navigating energy code for new construction and existing building projects. He has helped over 100 projects comply with the Washington State and Seattle Energy Codes. He has worked as the lead energy modeler for utility incentives, LEED and other green building certifications, as well as investment-grade audits. His understanding of how building systems interact shapes his HVAC and plumbing design work providing building owners designs that balances construction and operational costs.

Michael Hatten, P.E. is a senior mechanical and energy engineer at Solarc Energy Group. Over a 40-year career, he has garnered recognition as an expert energy modeler, excellent and creative designer, experienced and grounded commissioning provider, and inspirational energy educator. In these ongoing roles, Mike has tracked the market emergence of innovative heat pump technologies. He was an early adopter of ground-coupled heat pumping solutions. Over the past decade, he has been actively integrating multi-zone heat pump and air-to-water heat pump solutions into his projects.

Taylor Pitts, PE, CEM, is a Senior Energy Management Engineer on Puget Sound Energy’s Business Energy Management Team. She manages PSE’s Commercial New Construction program which provides incentives for projects that exceed Washington State Energy Code requirements. Taylor’s background is in Mechanical Engineering with a bachelors degree from the University of Washington. With nine years of energy efficiency experience she looks forward to continuing to promote efficiency in the PNW for years to come.

Heather Burpee, AIA, EDAC, is a Research Professor at the University of Washington’s Integrated Design Lab where her research focus is on high-performance buildings — buildings that reduce energy and promote healthy indoor environments. Her work bridges practice, research, and education with collaboration between practitioners, faculty, and students. As the Director of Education and Outreach at the UW IDL, she develops curriculum and implementation of other educational opportunities related to high-performance buildings to multi-faceted audiences.