Join us for the Smart Buildings Exchange 2026!

Smart Buildings Center

Energy Efficiency Innovation Center, Tool Library & Data Visualization

The Best Solutions Come in Easy-to-Use Packages

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Packaged systems offer all the benefits without the complexity.

Central heat pump water heater (CHPWH) systems serve the domestic hot water needs of a building in one central plant. Though they have become a key decarbonization technology by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and saving energy and costs, their complex design and installation requirements can pose barriers to widespread adoption.

Packaged CHPWH systems reduce this complexity by simplifying design and installation. With pre-made sizes based on storage capacity, packaged systems reduce the need for plumbing and electrical site work to minimize complexity for designers, installers, and maintenance staff, while offering flexibility to meet unique site conditions. Even with all this significant added value, packaged solutions are often cheaper to install than non-packaged CHPWH systems.

Learn more at betterbricks.com

Creative Funding Strategies for Better Buildings, 12/4 12-1PM

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Getting started on the path to improving your building’s performance and finding the capital for the projects can be challenging. In this webinar, learn about resources to scope and implement a project, and innovative ways to fund it. Speakers will provide a comprehensive overview of tools to meet Clean Building Act standards, as well as illustrate how lease structures and Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing can be leveraged to reduce upfront and operational costs.

Focus:
– Creating strategies for funding, managing and paying for building upgrades and better buildings
– Examples of support and resources for project development and compliance
– Leveraging lease language to capture the most value from sustainability and performance driven upgrades
– Repositioning the landlord/tenant relationship to minimize risk and support sustainability and ESG goals
– Best practices to avoid penalties and conflict over lease ambiguity

Presenters:
– Nicole DeNamur, Climate Aligned Law, Attorney, Hon. AIA, WELL AP and Faculty, LEED Green Associate, Fitwel Ambassador and EcoDistricts AP
– Erik Jennings, Pacifica Law Group LLP
– Rachel Brombaugh, Washington State Managing Director, PACE Equity
– Rebecca Sheppard, Senior Project Manager, Smart Buildings Center / Building Potential / NEEC

Register here!

11/29/23 1-3PM, ELEVATE: Health, Safety & Performance for Educational Facilities

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Please join us for this hybrid event in Gig Harbor.

This event will address ASHRAE’s latest Standard 241, focusing on the control of infectious aerosols within schools, and will examine the cost-effective implementation of the Upper Room GUV strategy to meet the recommended level of air safety. Additionally, we’ll explore the opportunity for immersive learning experiences through human-centric lighting upgrades, involving student participation. Lunch will be provided for all attendees, and there will be a Q&A session at the end of the event.

Speakers include the Smart Building Center’s very own Rebecca Sheppard amongst a host of industry leader all-stars.

If you can’t make it in-person join us remotely using this link for the Vimeo livestream.

Lighting Design Lab offers two classes next month!

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Design for Off (TM)

Register now for Design for Off
When: Thursday, October 5, 2023 –10:00 to 11:30

A key to successful electrification is limiting building loads by adopting passive strategies, targeted systems, and deep efficiency strategies. During the webinar, we will discuss a systematic approach to take advantage of climate characteristics, building performance features, and distributed systems to minimize building loads and simplify equipment operations strategies. This session will include numerous case studies emphasizing successful high-performance building approaches and Ecotope’s Design for Off™ principles.

Audience

  • Design Engineers and Architects
  • Mechanical and Electrical Contractors
  • Building Owners/Operators

The Inflation Reduction Act: One Year Later

Register now for The Inflation Reduction Act: One Year Later
When: Thursday, October 19, 2023 –10:00 to 11:30

In this session, we will provide guidance on navigating the updated tax benefits provided by the Inflation Reduction Act, a year after its implementation. We will also discuss other tax laws affecting the energy and building industries. Our focus will be on explaining how to capture the incentives available for HVAC systems and other energy-efficient upgrades that can significantly reduce the upfront costs for building owners. Additionally, we will explore the renewed incentives for alternative energy generation systems and energy-efficiency improvements. We will delve into the tax-exempt project categories that have been eligible for EPAct tax benefits for a year now. Our discussion will also touch on the legacy tax incentives available for designers and how energy companies and building owners can access them. Our objective is to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how to incorporate these incentives into energy and building project ROI calculations.

Audience

  • General Contractors
  • Architects and Design Engineers
  • Building Owners/Operators

9/28 Clean Buildings Symposium

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Register now or learn more about Clean Buildings Symposium East, being hosted at Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue 7:30 - 11:30 9/28
Register now for this educational opportunity at: clean-buildings-symposium-east.eventbrite.com

Building Owners: Clean Buildings expansion law rulemaking workshop

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BUILDING OWNERS, YOU MIGHT BE IMPACTED BY THE NEW LAW: Initially addressing buildings over 50,000 square feet, the 2022 Clean Buildings expansion law added a new second tier (Tier 2) of buildings between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet. Reporting for this new tier is expected to begin July 1, 2027. Buildings over 20,000 square feet include schools, businesses, municipal buildings and multi-family housing.

 

Don’t miss out – participate in the rulemaking:  Register to participate, review the proposed language, and submit comments. The proposed language will be emailed to registrants and later posted on the Clean Buildings webpage. This is your opportunity to provide input to shape energy efficiency requirements and understand the financial incentives offered to assist with compliance.

 

 

Workshop #6 – Tier 2 Comprehensive Draft Review (4 session options)

Each session includes a comprehensive review of all proposed rules and feedback we’ve collected throughout the rulemaking process.

  1. Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT – VIRTUAL only
    Register for Sept. 7 session 
  2. Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT – Virtual or SEATTLE in-person
    Register for Sept. 11 session
  3. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT – Virtual or SPOKANE in-person
    Register for Sept. 12 session
  4. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 @ 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PT – KENNEWICK in-person only
    Register for Sept. 13 session

 

We hope you can join to provide your perspective, expertise, and insights. If you have questions, you may email the Clean Buildings team at [email protected].

Contact Us

Smart Buildings Center
Pacific Tower
1200 12th Ave. S., Suite 110
Seattle, WA 98144

206-538-0832

[email protected]

Smart Buildings Center is a project collaboration with Building Potential