Smart Buildings Center

Understanding the WA Clean Buildings Standard
2022-01-26 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual/Online
The Clean Buildings Standard is one measure Washington State is taking to improve building operational efficiency. Propelling buildings to targeted energy use intensity by building type and size, all commercial buildings over 50,000 sf will need to comply by 2028 (220,000 sf by 2026), and then maintain compliance or be subject to penalties.
UMC, Hargis Engineers, and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) have joined forces to break down the Clean Buildings Standard’s options and implications so you can define a path forward that aligns with your portfolio. [AIA CEU HSW 1.5 Credit]
More information on the presentation

Commercial HPWH: Design, Operations & Maintenance Deep Dive Part 1
2022-01-25 10:00 - 12:00
**Day 1 of this 4-day course. Each day has a seperate registration**
Energy efficient commercial HPWH systems for the multifamily and commercial sector are gaining traction. This session dives deep into the science, technology, design and implementation of successful CHPWH systems. In addition to presenting available products, identifying key design challenges and exploring the fundamental concepts related to how these efficient systems interact with other building systems, this session will highlight essential maintenance practices, important control considerations and successful case studies.
Audience: This class is intended for engineers, architects, designers, building facility managers, and maintenance personnel.
Learning Objectives:

Review of state and local policies that encourage or require all-electric domestic water heating systems
Gain an understanding of the economics of heat pump water heating systems and how they compare with traditional gas and electric resistance water heating systems (considering both first costs and operational costs)
Understand the advantages of heat pump water heater systems for various building types
Analyze key system configurations and design considerations
Become familiar with Ecotope’s sizing tool, Ecosizer 1
Learn about available equipment packages and the implementation process
Review maintenance routines that ensure optimal system performance

Meeting Water & Energy-Saving Goals in King County: Sustainable Energy Solutions & Innovative Financing Options
2022-01-25 10:00 - 11:00
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council and Smart Buildings Center invite King County building owners, managers, financers, and decision makers to attend and hear from King County and Seattle Public Utilities representatives about sustainable energy solutions and innovative financing options to help you meet your water and energy-saving goals. Webinar speakers and topics will include:
Morgan Torres, Executive Climate and Energy Program Manager – Office of the King County Executive
King County will share its new innovative financing program, C-PACER, explaining how it can be used to invest in efficiency and resiliency measures to make buildings safer, more efficient, and less expensive to operate.
Natasha Bailey, Commercial Water Conservation Program Manager – Saving Water Partnership
The Saving Water Partnership is an organization comprised of 19 water utilities in King and Snohomish counties. We offer tips, tools, and rebates to help people preserve our region’s water for future generations.
Erika Kinno, Resource Recovery Research & Policy Project Manager – King County Wastewater Treatment Division
King County makes its sewer pipes available to private commercial property owners to use as a heat energy source for buildings. Sewer heat recovery can help lower energy costs, save water, and boost renewable energy use. The C-PACER program and Saving Water Partnership rebates are great opportunities that could support the use of this technology.
Register to join us on January 25th!

Tools for Modeling the 2018 SEC and WSEC
2022-01-20 10:00 - 11:30
This course highlights the energy modeling requirements for Seattle and Washington State 2018 energy code compliance as well as ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G – the new modeling standard. Seattle and Washington specific compliance tools have been developed by the DOE to help designers and reviewers apply the new standard. A brief demo of these tools will be provided to demonstrate the functionality and value of these resources. (We will not be teaching how to do energy modeling or how to use Appendix G.)
Learning objectives
At the conclusion of this seminar, participants should be able to:

Understand and apply the 2018 WSEC and SEC specific energy code requirements at a high level.
Understand and apply the C407 modeling pathway, and the new standard ASHRAE 90.1 – Appendix G at a high level.
Know what to expect for compliance tool workflow and functionality with the DOE Appendix G Compliance Tool
Understand the benefits of using the compliance tool and how it can positively impact both building design and the energy code permit process.

Commercial HPWH: Engineering Deep Dive Part 2
2022-01-18 10:00 - 12:00
**Day 2 of this 2-day course**
This course explores how to successfully design and engineer a central heat pump water heating system using commercial equipment. It explores how commercial HPWH systems meet the requirements of new state and local policies and building codes, and it presents the significant energy savings of these efficient domestic hot water systems. This course introduces the engineering fundamentals of central heat pump water heater systems and evaluates important design considerations, while also presenting the current landscape of market delivery, product availability and refrigerant technologies. Lastly, it introduces Ecotope’s free design tool: the Ecosizer and examines successful case studies.

Audience: This class is intended for engineers, architects, designers, building owners, and facility managers.

Learning Objectives

Identify the energy savings potential of commercial heat pump water heaters
Review market language, product delivery and available heat pump technology
Introduce and explore the components of heat pump water heater systems
Examine essential design considerations and discuss available products and selection criteria
Learn how to use Ecotope’s free sizing tool: Ecosizer
Evaluate successful case studies

Commercial HPWH: Engineering Deep Dive Part 1
2022-01-11 10:00 - 12:00
This course explores how to successfully design and engineer a central heat pump water heating system using commercial equipment. It explores how commercial HPWH systems meet the requirements of new state and local policies and building codes, and it presents the significant energy savings of these efficient domestic hot water systems. This course introduces the engineering fundamentals of central heat pump water heater systems and evaluates important design considerations, while also presenting the current landscape of market delivery, product availability and refrigerant technologies. Lastly, it introduces Ecotope’s free design tool: the Ecosizer and examines successful case studies.

Audience: This class is intended for engineers, architects, designers, building owners, and facility managers.

Learning Objectives

Identify the energy savings potential of commercial heat pump water heaters
Review market language, product delivery and available heat pump technology
Introduce and explore the components of heat pump water heater systems
Examine essential design considerations and discuss available products and selection criteria
Learn how to use Ecotope’s free sizing tool: Ecosizer
Evaluate successful case studies

Glass Half-Full: How Water Reduction Supports Resiliency, Cost Savings, and Occupant Health
2022-01-11 08:00 - 09:00
Since 2015, Better Buildings and Better Plants partners have showcased how water management can reduce cost, energy, and environmental impact, saving more than 10 billion gallons. However, additional benefits can include more efficient operations, improved occupant health and wellness, and increased resiliency. Join partners from multiple sectors to learn how they’ve realized the many benefits of water reduction and hear about what’s next from the Water Savings Network.

21 Acres Virtual Green Building Tour
2021-12-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-11-20 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-10-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-09-18 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-08-21 11:00 - 12:00, 2021-07-17 11:00 - 12:00
Join us for a Green Building Energy Tour at 21 Acres, held every third Saturday of the month at 11:00 a.m. Get a behind the scenes look at the tools and technologies that 21 Acres’ LEED Platinum-certified building uses to ensure operational efficiencies. Understand real connections between clean energy, water, and food, and how they impact our environment, health, and economy. Take home suggestions for simple and important changes you can make to reduce the climate impact of your home or work.

Roadmap to 50% Carbon Reductions in Multifamily Housing
2021-12-16 08:00 - 09:00
As more multifamily housing providers begin to develop decarbonization goals, it’s time for a conversation on strategies to break down barriers. During this webinar, take a deeper dive into the challenges and opportunities for reducing carbon in multifamily buildings, and how multifamily organizations can begin to set goals and plan strategies.

Assessing and Reducing Embodied Carbon
2021-12-07 08:00 - 09:00
Building materials and construction represent 11% of global CO2 emissions. In this webinar, move from theoretical assessment and reduction to practice as panelists share real-world examples of tackling embodied carbon. Join us as we explore life-cycle assessments and building design and renovation to reduce CO2 emissions.

Whole Building Approaches for Efficiency and Electrification
2021-12-06 12:00 - 13:00
This one-hour webinar will highlight opportunities for addressing building energy use in new and existing buildings through increased efficiency and electrification. The webinar will begin with a preview of the draft ENERGY STAR Residential New Construction Label coming in 2022. This will be followed by an overview of Home Upgrade with ENERGY STAR, which creates a streamlined approach to retrofitting existing homes. Finally, attendees will hear from the DC Sustainable Energy Utility on their programs to support decarbonization of residential and commercial buildings, including a low-income pilot program.
Speakers:

Asa Foss – Program Development Analyst, ENERGY STAR Residential Branch, US EPA
Dan Lawlor − ENERGY STAR HVAC Program Lead, US EPA
Patti Boyd, Senior Manager for Technology & Innovation, DC Sustainability Energy Utility

Register

Rebuilding as a Community in K-12 Schools: COVID and Beyond
2021-11-30 14:00 - 15:00
In this interactive webinar sponsored by Puget Sound Energy and hosted by Smart Buildings Center, panelists with expertise in Strategic Energy Management (SEM) in K-12 schools will discuss their lessons learned in navigating the challenges of operating their buildings safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ll also share insights for moving forward with a re-focus on energy efficiency, in light of the challenges presented by climate change and resulting mandates such as the WA Clean Buildings Performance Standard (H.B. 1257).
Panelists:
Marina Tanay, Capital Projects/Facilities Manager, Sumner-Bonney Lake School District No. 320
Michael Knaack, Sustainability Manager, Tacoma Public Schools
Travis Bown, Director of Maintenance, Mead Public Schools
David McCaughey, Sr. Business Developer, Energy Services, UMC

Understanding the Washington Clean Buildings Standard
2021-11-18 10:30 - 12:00
The Clean Buildings Act of 2019 is one measure Washington State is taking to improve building operational efficiency. Propelling buildings to targeted energy use intensity by building type and size, all commercial buildings over 50,000 sf will need to comply by 2028 (220,000 sf by 2026), and then maintain compliance or be subject to penalties.
UMC, Hargis Engineers and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) have joined forces to break down the Clean Buildings Standard’s options and implications so you can define a path forward that aligns with your portfolio. [AIA CEU HSW 1.5 Credit]
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Thursday, November 18th – Seattle building focused discussion, through the lens of the Seattle Energy Code and what’s next.
REGISTER

Commercial HPWH: Design, Operations & Maintenance Deep Dive Part 4
2021-11-17 10:00 - 12:00
DAY 4 OF 4: This course dives deep into the science, technology, design and implementation of successful CHPWH systems. In addition to presenting available products, identifying key design challenges and exploring the fundamental concepts related to how these efficient systems interact with other building systems, this session will highlight essential maintenance practices, important control considerations and successful case studies.

Building Decarbonization and the Future of Washington State
2021-11-16 17:30 - 19:00
November 16, 2021 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Register
Join the Puget Sound ASHRAE Government Affairs Committee and Washington Society of Professional Engineers for a panel discussion on decarbonization in Washington State. What comes to mind when you think about the word “decarbonization”? Most might immediately picture the electric vehicle and the transportation sector. But what about the sector that leads the U.S. in carbon emissions? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2019, commercial and residential buildings led the U.S. in carbon emissions, making up 31% of total emissions which tops the transportation sector that accounts for 29% of total emissions. Buildings account for a majority of carbon emissions and building decarbonization is critical to slowing down climate change. In this panel, you’ll learn about how Washington state has become a leader in building decarbonization and about ASHRAE’s efforts in decarbonization through the ASHRAE Task Force for Building Decarbonization.

Understanding the Washington Clean Buildings Standard
2021-11-16 10:30 - 12:00
The Clean Buildings Act of 2019 is one measure Washington State is taking to improve building operational efficiency. Propelling buildings to targeted energy use intensity by building type and size, all commercial buildings over 50,000 sf will need to comply by 2028 (220,000 sf by 2026), and then maintain compliance or be subject to penalties.
UMC, Hargis Engineers and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) have joined forces to break down the Clean Buildings Standard’s options and implications so you can define a path forward that aligns with your portfolio. [AIA CEU HSW 1.5 Credit]
VIRTUAL PRESENTATION | 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Tuesday, November 16th – Washington State Compliance + Panel Discussion

Rep. Alex Ramel, Washington State House of Representatives
Amy Wheeless, Northwest Energy Coalition
Ron Major, WA State Dept. of Enterprise Services
Poppy Storm, 2050 Institute
Moderator: Kerry Meade, Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC)

REGISTER

Commercial HPWH: Design, Operations & Maintenance Deep Dive Part 3
2021-11-10 10:00 - 12:00
DAY 3 OF 4: This course dives deep into the science, technology, design and implementation of successful CHPWH systems. In addition to presenting available products, identifying key design challenges and exploring the fundamental concepts related to how these efficient systems interact with other building systems, this session will highlight essential maintenance practices, important control considerations and successful case studies.

2021 LIGHTFAIR® International Post-Show Webinar
2021-11-09 10:00 - 11:30
LIGHTFAIR® International is the industry event where everyone–from huge conglomerates to small tech-firm startups–come to display innovative new ideas that are changing how we illuminate and connect to the world around us.
Following LIGHTFAIR® 2021, the Lighting Design Lab and Smart Buildings Center are partnering to bring you post-conference analysis and information exchange! Bring us your questions and be ready to share your own experiences. Favorite new products? Most exciting trends? Let’s “nerd out”!
The Lab’s focus at LIGHTFAIR® includes networked and luminaire level lighting controls, non-energy benefits, integration to other building systems, or systems that connect utilities and their customers; and other hot topics like lighting and health and identifying market barriers/education needs. If any major lighting industry news is revealed, we’ll also look to cover it.
Brought to you through a collaboration between Lighting Design Lab and the Smart Buildings Center.

Commercial HPWH: Design, Operations & Maintenance Deep Dive Part 2
2021-11-03 10:00 - 12:00
DAY 2 OF 4: This course dives deep into the science, technology, design and implementation of successful CHPWH systems. In addition to presenting available products, identifying key design challenges and exploring the fundamental concepts related to how these efficient systems interact with other building systems, this session will highlight essential maintenance practices, important control considerations and successful case studies.

Commercial HPWH: Design, Operations & Maintenance Deep Dive Part 1
2021-10-26 10:00 - 12:00
DAY 1 OF 4: This course dives deep into the science, technology, design and implementation of successful CHPWH systems. In addition to presenting available products, identifying key design challenges and exploring the fundamental concepts related to how these efficient systems interact with other building systems, this session will highlight essential maintenance practices, important control considerations and successful case studies.

The Future of Building Occupancy
2021-10-19 12:00 - 13:00
Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability in a Post-COVID World
The Smart Buildings Center invites you to attend this important discussion on the future of building occupancy. As you may or may not know, the #1 emitter of greenhouse gas emissions is not industry or transportation, its buildings, representing 39% of all global GhG. Furthermore, almost 75% of those building-based emissions come from day-to-day operations – heating, cooling, ventilating, and lighting. And to make things worse, it is estimated that about 30% of the energy used in buildings is wasted.
Why? One big problem is that buildings’ HVAC systems are often run with set schedules rather than being dynamic to reflect occupancy, usage, environment and other usage factors.
With information, like real time occupancy, buildings can be better managed in reducing CO2 emissions and saving energy. Join us Tuesday, October 19th at noon PST/ 3 pm EST for this lively panel discussion and learn about the latest technology and artificial intelligence solutions for running HVAC systems and building controls to optimize for energy savings and sustainability.
Key takeaways:

Learn how to reduce energy costs by 30 – 40%
Find out what it takes to be on the leading edge of sustainability innovations
Learn first-hand how customers are using this today to reduce their energy and C02 emissions
Know how to ensure optimal uptime, run efficiently and effectively for comfort and air quality

Planning for the Future: New and Improved Pandemic Protocols
2021-10-19 08:00 - 09:00
As building owners and operators reflect on the pandemic, organizations are making plans to increase preparedness, improve resilience, and enact responsive building operations that can reduce energy and scale occupancy. Improving operations during periods of low occupancy, such as temporarily decommissioning buildings, can reduce energy consumption and help building owners avoid unnecessary costs. Learn from experts in the field as they discuss changes to their own pandemic preparedness and response plans and best practices for navigating future events.

Commercial HPWH: Engineering Deep Dive Part 2
2021-10-13 10:00 - 12:00
This course introduces the engineering fundamentals of central heat pump water heater systems and evaluates important design considerations, while also presenting the current landscape of market delivery, product availability and refrigerant technologies.

Light Sources & Luminaires
2021-08-31 10:00 - 12:00
This class will review existing legacy as well as modern LED light sources and luminaires. Participants will learn the major characteristics of modern LED light sources and luminaires and how to effectively select and specify them for projects.
This class will be suitable for newer lighting practitioners including designers, contractors, architects, engineers, building operators, sales people, and those seeking to update their knowledge and skills.

Smart Buildings Exchange
2021-08-24 08:45 - 2021-08-25 14:15
Throughout the built environment, new technologies are connecting building systems and occupants in ways that generate new and exciting opportunities. From enabling buildings to perform for occupants and owners in previously unimaginable ways, to leveraging buildings to accelerate smart cities and the clean energy transition for a cleaner and healthier planet, the opportunities are countless and inspiring. The Smart Buildings Exchange brings together the key audiences to challenge the hype, bear witness to the innovation, and explore the business case for accelerating the adoption and commercialization of smart buildings technologies and practices.
