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What’s New for 2025 in the Energy Code
Room: 105
Time: 11:30am – 12:30pm
This session will summarize in a short one-hour session the changes to the 2025 energy code that will most impact schools and nonresidential buildings. We will cover envelope, HVAC, water heating, lighting, and renewable energy requirements, so that attendees come away with knowledge of what their upcoming projects are going to need to comply with.
Attendees will come away with knowledge of what their upcoming projects are going to need to comply with to meet the energy code.
Learning Objectives:
1) Learn the change in HVAC system requirements for schools
2) Understand the solar and battery requirements that apply to schools
3) Get exposure to the updated compliance metrics for compliance with the 2025 energy code
4) Hear about the electrification measures in the new 2025 energy code that apply to schools
Speaker:
Nick Brown, Instructor, Energy Code Ace | President, Build Smart Group
Nick Brown is President of Build Smart Group, an independent energy consultancy focused on California’s residential and nonresidential energy modeling, energy code, and building performance. He supports builders and architects in creating energy-efficient living and commercial spaces. Nick is a Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) for residential and an Associate Energy Analyst (AEA) for nonresidential projects, accredited by the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC). As a Subject Matter Expert on the Energy Code Ace statewide education team, he teaches classes for Southern California Edison on topics including Net Zero Design, All-Electric Homes, Heat Pumps, and PV and Battery Systems. Currently, Nick is involved with a CalSEED team researching phase change material applications in HVAC systems. He has been a member of CABEC’s Board of Directors since 2018.
Nick holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA in Manufacturing from the University of Michigan. His hands-on experience includes a deep energy retrofit of his own home in 2014 and an All-Electric Net Zero Carbon ADU built in 2022, which serves as a living lab. Before founding Build Smart, he was President of Merlex Stucco, a $15 million manufacturer in Southern California for 15 years.