For decades, U.S. building energy codes have centered on kilowatt-hour savings in buildings. But urgency on climate change is pressing us to rapidly address and mitigate carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment, which is responsible for 39% of operational and embodied carbon. Join us for a one-hour webinar on the opportunities for states and cities to leverage their energy codes in order to maximize carbon reductions and minimize costs including a broad overview of best practice strategies and approach in action. NBI staff will introduce new “decarbonization code language” that it is compatible with the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and can be adopted as an overlay option. The code language and supporting guidance, which will help adopting agencies move to carbon neutral requirements in newly constructed homes and commercial buildings, prioritizes efficient electric equipment and is designed so that it can be implemented to meet jurisdictions where they are.

Water heating is the second largest energy use in U.S. homes. Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWHs) are a decades-old, proven technology, and are two to four times more efficient than electric resistance or standard gas water heaters. HPWHs support a growing number of programs and policies for energy efficiency, demand response and decarbonization. The Advanced Water Heating Initiative (AWHI) was formed in 2019 to address the need to build the market for HPWHs. In this webinar NBI and initiative partners will provide an introduction to the initiative, followed by a moderated panel session on the work being done to build market demand and advance HPWH technology in both residential and commercial applications. The session will also include a policy and programs landscape overview, incentive program examples from across the county, and a look at the future of the initiative, including plans for field studies.

Building electrification technologies are potential game changers for getting to zero in the built environment. Join NBI’s Cathy Higgins and Alexi Miller to learn about new research on market-ready and emerging electrification products and their role in supporting California program and policy objectives for building decarbonization. The Building Electrification Technology Roadmap (BETR) is a first-of-its-kind study developed to help accelerate increased adoption of highly efficient electric technologies that displace fossil fuel technologies. This session will cover the three key areas of BETR: 1) characterizing the status of building electrification technologies; 2) identifying roadblocks to adoption; and 3) providing targeted, near- and long-term actions needed to support building electrification.

Prime examples of net zero buildings are found across the country and total over 700 verified and emerging projects, according to NBI tracking. This webinar will feature some of the best buildings to date with a Case Study Jam format that allows in-depth sharing. Join presenters as they take you on a tour of innovative technical solutions, strategies for successful stakeholder engagement, and more in their quest to achieve zero. From a commercial kitchen in Pennsylvania to a senior living high-rise in Oregon, these case studies cover a variety of climate zones and building types. This 75-minute session will allow ample time for discussion with attendees.

The Forum is the premier event on zero energy and zero carbon buildings, featuring the world’s leading experts who are creating the market-based solutions that are driving a growing movement to define the future of the built environment. While the conference takes place over three days, we also invite you join us in the zero energy and zero carbon movement 365 days a year.