Existing buildings rarely fit neatly into today's energy code requirements. Whether you're replacing aging equipment, renovating building systems, modifying the envelope, or converting office space to residential use, understanding how the Washington State Energy Code applies can be both challenging and critical to project success.
Join us for an engaging and practical webinar that explores how to navigate energy code requirements for existing buildings from the ground up. We'll walk through real-world scenarios and key compliance pathways, helping architects, engineers, and building professionals better understand how code requirements are triggered and applied during renovation and upgrade projects.  

Topics will include:

  • Energy code requirements for existing buildings
  • HVAC equipment replacements and alterations
  • Water heater replacements
  • Building envelope modifications
  • Code pathways for thermal energy networks
  • Adaptive reuse projects, including office-to-residential conversions
  • Understanding when a project triggers substantial alteration requirements

We'll also discuss important distinctions between Washington State and Seattle energy codes, and briefly examine how energy code compliance intersects with Washington's Clean Buildings Performance Standards. Looking ahead, we'll preview key changes anticipated in the upcoming 2024 Washington State Energy Code and discuss major trends and policy shifts that design teams should be watching.
 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Identify energy code requirements and compliance pathways applicable to existing building renovations, equipment replacements, and adaptive reuse projects under the Washington State Energy Code.
  2. Evaluate when alterations to HVAC systems, water heating equipment, and building envelopes trigger specific energy code requirements, including substantial alteration provisions.
  3. Compare key differences between Washington State and Seattle energy code requirements and their implications for project design and compliance.
  4. Assess the relationship between energy code compliance, Clean Buildings Performance Standards, and emerging code changes anticipated in the 2024 Washington State Energy Code update.
     

CUEs: 1.0 AIA HSW or Certificates of Completion