Registration for this on-demand webinar is at the bottom of this page.
Seminar description
The commercial energy code is complex, and requirements stretch across the building envelope, mechanical, and lighting systems. Recent state legislation requiring significant energy efficiency improvements in the commercial energy code by 2038 will lead to increased focus on the energy code and more frequent code updates. Despite recent momentum towards sustainable design, many buildings – including those pursuing green building certifications – still fail to meet minimum energy code requirements. Energy code requirements drive operational cost savings for building owners, improved comfort for occupants, and increased resiliency to extreme weather events, but without proper implementation during design and construction, these benefits are lost.
Successful energy code compliance requires dedicated work from design teams during all phases of a project, starting in schematic design. This session will equip participants with a foundational understanding of the structure and organization of the commercial energy code, compliance pathways within the code, and how to document compliance effectively across disciplines. Speakers will break down complex requirements and provide practical guidance so attendees can confidently navigate and apply the energy code. They will also share energy code compliance data from recent Minnesota projects reviewed through BuildUp MN’s Community Code Support program to illustrate common pitfalls in compliance.
Learning objectives
- Recognize recent updates to the commercial energy code and anticipate how new code requirements will impact project design.
- Identify compliance pathways available within the commercial energy code, evaluate the pros and cons of each pathway, and select an appropriate pathway based on project goals.
- Effectively communicate the importance of complying with the energy code to building owners and project teams.
- Utilize tools and resources to help effectively demonstrate energy code compliance in construction documents and recognize the importance of considering energy code implications early in the design process.
Presenters
Sophia Jungbauer works with designers, architects, and code officials to support compliance with Minnesota’s energy code through resource development and training initiatives. She manages the community code support program, which offers third-party energy code reviews to jurisdictions across Minnesota. She also collaborates with Tribal nations to provide technical assistance for energy code improvements. Sophia previously worked in the construction industry, producing technical drawings for architecture projects, and as a plan reviewer for the City of Duluth.
Jett Roeser works at CEE as an energy engineer. He leads CEE’s energy model review work for the Minnesota Sustainable Building 2030 program and supports energy code compliance work as a technical reviewer for the Advanced Energy Codes Partnership program. Jett graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Minnesota chapter of ASHRAE.
(Moderator) Julia Wells oversees several focus areas of the Minnesota Advanced Energy Codes Partnership, including management of the BuildUp MN energy code compliance program. Julia leads a team that works across the design, construction, and code enforcement industries to support compliance with Minnesota’s commercial energy code, developing effective strategies to help close gaps in design and enforcement. In previous roles, she supported the Minnesota Air Source Heat Pump Collaborative, delivering training for residential HVAC contractors, conducting modeling and data analysis, and supporting utility and distributor engagement. Julia holds a BA in Physics from Wellesley College.
Cost
AIA members $50
Non-members $65
Continuing education credit
This program has been approved for 1.25 HSW LU Hours
Instructions
- Complete registration and payment below
- You will then receive a confirmation email with the link and password to access the webinar
- View the 1.25-hour webinar and then complete the ten-question quiz (must score 70% or above for credit)
- Within 3 to 7 days you will receive a certificate of completion and/or credits will be recorded to your AIA member transcript
