We offer training and technical resources in support of the commercial provisions of the WSEC. Check this webpage periodically for updates.

2021 WSEC Commercial Provisions Trainings

The commercial and residential 2021 WSEC goes into effect on July 1, 2023. See schedule below for training opportunities about the new energy code requirements.

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2023 SPRING WEBINAR SERIES - 2021 WSEC-C

Our webinar series about the 2021 WSEC commercial provisions (WSEC-C) kicks off in May 2023. We offer a virtual training program for the convenience of the construction industry professionals we serve.  Training content will cover the most substantive changes between the 2018 WSEC-C and 2021 WSEC-C. We’ll focus on the provisions that have been determined to offer the highest potential for energy savings. 

Funding for this webinar series is provided by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).

 

May 18th, 2023 - AIA NWW: WSEC-C Changes & Resources, Noon-4:00pm

This webinar for architects provided information about key requirements in the 2021 WSEC-C and helpful resources available to assist architects with energy code compliance documentation. This event was hosted by AIA NWW and AIA Seattle who are providing CEUs. If you attended this training, contact AIA NWW for question about receiving CEUs nwwadministrator@aiaseattle.org.

Key topics:

• Most substantive changes between the 2018 and 2021 WSEC-C
• Multidiscipline collaboration to achieve required additional energy efficiency and load management credit measures
• Envelope compliance pathways - prescriptive and component performance (A trade-off)
• Online compliance documentation resource fo WSEC-C projects

Presentation content will be posted on the On-Demand Training page soon!

Support for this webinar is provided by AIA Northwest WA, AIA Seattle and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).

 

POSTPONED!! June 6th, 2023 - 2021 WSEC-C Mechanical Systems - Key Changes & Technical Resources  Noon-1:00pm

In light of recent announcements regarding the effective date of the 2021 WA State codes and the purpose of the delay, we are postponing this webinar. Refer to the WA State Building Code Council (SBCC) homepage for more information - https://sbcc.wa.gov.

Our 2021 WSEC-C Mechanical Systems webinar on June 20th will proceed as scheduled with a revised agenda that include topics that are unaffected by the purpose of the code delay.

 

June 20th, 2023 - 2021 WSEC-C Mechanical Systems - Key Changes & Technical Resources, SEMINAR 1, Noon-1:00pm

NOTE that the agenda of this webinar has been revised and this will be the first of our two-part series about the mechanical provisions. Topics we'll cover in this webinar include TSPR, equipment efficiency, DOAS and fan power. 

REGISTRATION - CLICK HERE 

Key topics:

• Expanded scope for the TSPR requirement and updates to exceptions
• Updates to the equipment minimum efficiency tables
• DOAS energy recovery efficiency, fan power and supply air tempering
• Balanced ventilation and heat recovery requirements for Group R-2 occupancy
• Changes to the fan power allowance criteria

Support for this webinar is provided by the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA).

 

UP-COMING TRAINING TOPICS

• Mechanical Systems Seminar 2 - July 13th, 2023
• Lighting Power & Lighting Controls Systems
• Service Water Heating Systems
• Additional Energy Efficiency & NEW Load Management Measures
• Renewable Energy Systems & Energy Metering

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2023 WABO ANNUAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE – March 20-24th, 2023

• Wednesday, March 22nd – Name that HVAC System!
• Thursday, March 23rd – 2021 WSEC Commercial – Key Changes and Tools to Navigate Them

Many thanks to everyone who attended our WABO trainings!

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2018 WSEC-C - FALL FOCUS TRAINING SERIES 

This webinar series provided detailed information about service water heating systems, solar readiness and energy metering.

Missed these webinars? Go to the On Demand Training page and scroll down to the bottom of the page to view these training videos.

Service Water Heating Systems and Technologies

      Key topics:

• Water heating equipment efficiency details
• Requirements for high-input water heating systems
• Heat pump water heating systems
• Circulating and temperature maintenance systems
• Domestic hot water metering in Group R-2 with central SWH systems
• SWH additional efficiency credits
• When commissioning is required for SWH systems

Solar Readiness and Energy Metering

      Key topics:

• Project types that the solar readiness requirements apply to
• Architectural & structural requirements to support a future solar array
• Electrical requirements to support a future photovoltaic system
• Project types that the energy metering requirements apply to
• Energy source metering & tenant sub-metering
• Electric energy metering in Group R-2 buildings
• Systems requiring end-use metering & exceptions
• Data acquisition system & energy display

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2018 WSEC-C - EXISTING BUILDING ALTERATIONS TRAINING SERIES

This webinar series summarized 2018 Washington State Energy Code (WSEC) commercial requirements for existing building alterations. 

Missed these webinars? Go to the On Demand Training page and scroll down to the bottom of the page to view these training videos.

Building Envelope Alterations

      Key topics:

• Alterations to existing opaque thermal envelope
• Roof replacement and alterations
• Replacement of existing and new windows, skylights and doors
• Requirements for a change in space use or space reconfiguration alteration
• Additions to existing buildings

Lighting & Electrical System Alterations

      Key topics:

• Calculating lighting power allowances for fixture replacement projects
• Alterations that require lighting controls updates
• Requirements for a change in space use or space reconfiguration alteration
• Alterations that require compliance with controlled receptacle provisions

Mechanical & Service Water Heating System Alterations

      Key topics:

• DOAS and economizer requirements when replacing or adding cooling systems.
• Like-for-like HVAC and SWH equipment replacement.
• Projects that include a change of space conditioning, occupancy or space use

 

 

What is Total System Peformance Ratio (TSPR)?

This fact sheet provides a general overview of the purpose of this  mechanical requirement and how this performance ratio is calculated. Also refer to training videos about the TSPR webtool on the On Demand Training webpage.

 

Commissioning Fact Sheet (PDF 2.6 MB)

Commissioning significantly increases the likelihood that technical details such as system configurations and flow rates, occupancy and temperature settings, and record drawings are correct and complete. Getting these technical details right can have a significant impact on the long-term performance of the building systems. Commissioning requirements in the WSEC elevate the priority for this important step in the construction process. This fact explains the basics of commissioning and when it is required per the WSEC.

 

Smart Service Water Heating Circulation Pumps Fact Sheet (PDF 2.5 MB)

Service water heating circulation systems are used in commercial buildings to maintain the design supply temperature in the primary piping loop. The WSEC requires this system to have a circulation pump with controls that manage the water temperature in the circulation system and turns off the pump when there is no demand for hot water. This strategy saves energy and reduces water use by minimizing the time required for hot water to reach a fixture.

Smart circulation pumps offer a better than code strategy that simplifies installation and operation with integrated sensors, programmable control logic and ECM motors. This fact sheet provides information about this strategy and links to helpful resources. 

Coming soon!