CodeBreaker Solving the Energy Code Puzzle One Piece at a Time

Code Breakers are a series of 30-90 minute live webinars designed to bring critical Energy Code information to industry organization chapters. The Energy Code Ace team will work with you to schedule a webinar to fit your chapter's time and topic needs. CEUs (AIA HSW & ICC) available will vary according to length of course.

Contact us to schedule a session based on your organization’s needs and interests!

Currently Available Topics (more coming soon!)

We will review the 2025 Energy Code Mandatory and Prescriptive requirements for multifamily envelope, mechanical, photovoltaic, and battery storage systems, in addition to the new electric-ready and performance compliance metrics introduced in the 2025 Energy Code.

Learning Objectives include:

  • Cite the date when 2025 Energy Code requirements will go into effect
  • Discuss updates to 2025 Mandatory and Prescriptive envelope, mechanical, photovoltaic, and battery storage systems
  • Recognize when electric-ready requirements will apply
  • Identify online resources for more guidance on these topics

Wondering what’s on the horizon with the new California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code)? Join us for this one-hour presentation where we will review the changes for nonresidential mechanical systems. We will review the 2025 Energy Code Mandatory and Prescriptive requirements for nonresidential HVAC and Covered Processes (such as commercial kitchens and pools/spas). We will also take a look at the new requirements for service water heating in nonresidential and hotel/motel buildings.

Learning Objectives include:

  • Describe the 2025 Energy Code changes to nonresidential HVAC Mandatory and Prescriptive measures
  • Identify major 2025 Energy Code updates to the mechanical system Covered Process requirements
  • Recognize the new 2025 Energy Code requirements for domestic/service hot water systems for nonresidential and hotel/motel occupancies
  • State (or identify) when the 2025 Energy Code requirements go into effect

If you work with pool or spa equipment in California, you need to stay up to date on energy efficiency requirements. Learn about the new requirements in the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code). Get current on Federal and California Appliance Regulations that regulate products such as heaters, pumps, motors, and controls, and see how they fit with each other and the new code requirements. In this 90-minute session, we help you get the big picture and take a deep dive on pool heater types and renewable system options.

Learning objectives include:

  • Identify how the latest changes of the California Energy Code and Appliance Efficiency Regulations for pool and spa systems fit together
  • Compare the pool and spa heating system options of the 2025 Energy Code, including equipment options such as heat pump or gas systems
  • Summarize the benefits of heat pump and solar pool heater systems versus the more traditional pool heaters
  • Discuss the California Appliance Efficiency Standards for pool equipment and what it means for your customers
  • Identify online resources for more guidance on these topics

We will review the 2025 Energy Code Mandatory and Prescriptive requirements for single-family envelope, mechanical, photovoltaic, and heated pool and spa requirements. In addition, we will review the new electric-ready and performance compliance metrics introduced in the 2025 Energy Code.

Learning objectives include:

  • State (or identify) when the 2025 Energy Code requirements go into effect
  • Describe the 2025 Energy Code changes to single-family Mandatory and Prescriptive envelope, mechanical, and renewable measures
  • Identify major 2025 Energy Code updates to the single-family heated pool and spa requirements
  • Be aware of additional tools, training and resources available

We will review the changes of the 2025 Energy Code for indoor, outdoor, and illuminated sign lighting of all buildings (residential and nonresidential) and scopes of work (New Construction, Additions, and Alterations).

Learning objectives include:

  • Cite the date when 2025 Energy Code requirements will go into effect
  • Discuss updates to 2025 Mandatory and Prescriptive requirements of lighting systems
  • Review when the Performance Compliance Approach can be used to gain flexibility of the Energy Code requirements
  • Identify online resources for more guidance on these topics

Join us for this one-hour session where we will review the 2025 Energy Code Mandatory and Prescriptive updates for nonresidential school buildings such as envelope, mechanical, covered process, photovoltaic, and battery storage building systems. In addition, we will cover the new electric-ready and performance compliance metrics introduced in the 2025 Energy Code.

Learning objectives include:

  • Review the new 2025 compliance metrics for schools
  • Review the 2025 Energy Code changes for envelope features for schools
  • Review the 2025 Energy Code changes for mechanical systems for schools
  • Review the 2025 Energy Code changes for solar and battery requirements for schools
  • Identify where to go for additional resources

We will review the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code) Mandatory and Prescriptive requirements for nonresidential envelope, mechanical, covered process, photovoltaic, and battery storage systems, in addition to the new electric-ready and performance compliance metrics introduced in the 2025 Energy Code.

Learning objectives include:

  • Cite the date when 2025 Energy Code requirements will go into effect
  • Identify major areas of change in the 2025 Energy Code nonresidential requirements for overall scope and application including envelope, mechanical, lighting, covered process, solar photovoltaic, and battery energy storage systems
  • Recognize when electric-ready requirements will apply
  • Identify online resources for more guidance on these topics

In this one-hour session, we will provide attendees with essential information to foster confidence in answering clients' questions about the why and how of pursuing an all-electric home. We will compare the Energy Code requirements supporting electrification, as opposed to a mixed-fuel design, and which design features support the reliability and affordability of an all-electric home.

Learning objectives include:

  • Summarize key facts regarding heat pump technology — as well as other electric technologies — specific to their performance, affordability, and impact on the California electric grid
  • Compare the Energy Code requirements for electric and gas appliances
  • Describe the differences between all-electric designs and mixed-fuel projects in terms Energy Code compliance and likely impact on construction and operation costs
  • Identify sources of information and how to access them for guidance on incentive programs, tax credits, and rebates supporting the deployment of heat pumps, electric equipment upgrades, and energy-efficient appliances

Join us for this one-hour presentation to review the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code) requirements that support the goals of a Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD) project. We will review updated requirements for solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage system (BESS), domestic hot water system requirements supporting electrification, pool and spa requirements supporting heat pump technology, limits on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) design options, and additional heat pump design requirements. We’ll also explore the new Performance Approach compliance metric “Long-term System Cost” (LSC), which converts the predicted site energy use to long-term dollar costs to California’s energy system.

Learning objectives include:

  • Recognize when solar photovoltaic and battery systems are required in single-family homes
  • Recognize when solar photovoltaic and battery systems are required in nonresidential buildings and multifamily buildings
  • Explain how solar and battery systems improve grid harmony of buildings and onsite consumption of solar energy
  • Understand how alternative design options for single-family homes and nonresidential buildings can achieve ZNCD using efficiency measures, solar, and battery systems
  • Identify online resources for more guidance on these topics

This hour-long virtual course focuses requirements on the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Energy Code or Title 24 Part 6) for accessory dwelling units (ADU). We will discuss how to identify the ADU type and its impact on Energy Code requirements for envelope, mechanical, photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage system or battery readiness, and ECC (formerly known as HERS) measures. We will also review how the compliance metrics differ depending on ADU type, including the new compliance metrics for New Construction ADUs.

Learning objectives include:

  • Establish if an ADU design is considered an Alteration, Addition, or a new residential building per the Energy Code
  • Discuss the envelope (roof, walls, floors, fenestration) requirements associated with the ADU type (Alteration, Addition, New Construction) under the 2025 Energy Code
  • Recognize the renewable energy requirements of ADU type including photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage system, and battery readiness
  • Determine mechanical equipment requirements, including any ECC (formerly known as HERS) verification measure options that provide ADU design flexibility, and how the new compliance metrics may impact those choices

This course focuses on prescriptive quality insulation installation (QII) requirements in the 2025 Energy Code for new single-family and low-rise multifamily buildings of any size, and additions greater than 700 ft².

This presentation will help Designers create design documents that support QII; Energy consultants clarify the requirements and schedule of inspections needed in the field for QII; Contractors coordinate with ECC/HERS raters and subcontractors on inspection dates and other QII requirements; Building departments support QII projects at plan check and inspection to ensure the QII process goes smoothly; ECC/HERS raters communicate with the construction team on how to prepare a project to meet QII requirements during ECC/HERS inspections.

Learning objectives include:

  • Designers and architects create projects that meet QII
  • Energy consultants clarify the minimum requirements and schedule of inspections the team needs to succeed when the Certificate of Compliance form (CF1R) calls for QII
  • Contractors coordinate with ECC raters (formerly known as HERS) and subcontractors on inspection dates and other QII requirements
  • Building departments support QII projects at plan check and inspection to ensure the QII process goes smoothly
  • ECC raters communicate with the construction team on how to prepare a project to meet QII requirements during ECC inspections

The 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6) requirements for Nonresidential, Hotel/Motel and Multifamily envelope features including roof, wall, floor and fenestration for all scopes of work (new construction, additions and alterations), have been revised.  We will review the Energy Code envelope updates along with the embodied carbon requirements of Title 24 Part 11 (CALGreen).

Learning objectives include:

  • Determine which section(s) of the 2025 Energy Code apply to Nonresidential, Hotel/Motel and Multifamily buildings
  • Discuss the envelope (roof, walls, floors, fenestration, solid doors) requirements under the 2025 Energy Code for both nonresidential, hotel/motel and multifamily buildings
  • Recognize how the Energy Code requirements for newly built spaces differs from the requirements for altered spaces ​
  • Describe the importance of managing embodied carbon in achieving California's climate goals
  • Explain how to measure and reduce embodied carbon and support design decisions with the most significant impact as required by Title 24 Part 11 (CALGreen)

Is complying with the Energy Code just another chore? It doesn't have to be! Gain valuable insight into your projects, collaborate with your team, AND build buildings that support Zero Net Carbon (ZNCD) goals via lower energy use and operational carbon.

Join us for this one-hour session. See how to transform energy code compliance from a tedious task into a strategic advantage for your architectural practice.

Learning objectives include:

  • Determine Energy Code requirements based on project scope of work and project goals such compliance to the Energy Code, Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD) and LEED.
  • Identify the various compliance pathways available and determine which option is most appropriate for the project goals.
  • Verify that design documents align with the Certificate of Compliance, and satisfy the project goals, using the Certificate of Compliance as a comprehensive checklist.
  • Employ the performance approach to offer guidance on measuring energy usage and operational carbon of the proposed project goals.

Join us for an overview of the California Energy Code requirements for design review and building commissioning! The course will emphasize the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders involved in the design, construction and commissioning process including the activities of building commissioning providers, architects, design engineers, facility owners, and Acceptance Test Technicians (ATTs).

Learning objectives include:

  • Outline the commissioning activities required by Title 24 Part 6 (Energy Code) and describe how these activities are to be documented.
  • Recognize the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in the design, construction, acceptance, and commissioning process.
  • Determine the required Acceptance Testing requirements for new construction, nonresidential projects.
  • Explain how Acceptance Test Technicians are trained and certified to perform the required acceptance tests defined in the Energy Code.

The 2025 Energy Code (Title 24, Part 6, the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards) introduces significant changes for nonresidential buildings. These changes include new and revised Prescriptive requirements involving single-zone and multi-zone heat pump space heating and mechanical heat recovery dependent upon building type, and all-electric commercial kitchens. These measures aim to facilitate the transition to all-electric buildings and Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD). Join us for an hour to learn about the new all-electric requirements, including related requirements and exemptions for solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage, pool and spa heating systems. Additionally, we will explore how ZNCD principles align with and are supported by all-electric solutions.

Learning objectives include:

  • Discuss updates to the 2025 Energy Code that set the stage for all electric Nonresidential buildings, including Prescriptive requirements involving single-zone and multi-zone heat pump space heating and mechanical heat recovery dependent upon building type, and all-electric commercial kitchens
  • Determine which pool and spa heating equipment options are supported in the 2025 Energy Code
  • Recognize when solar photovoltaic and battery systems are required in Nonresidential buildings
  • Given examples of alternative design options for a Nonresidential building, identify which, if any, of the options achieve ZNCD
  • Identify online resources for more guidance on these topics