Energy Code Compliance and Building Performance Simulation: Current Methods and Best Practices
DISCLAIMER
Before purchasing, review the rules of your licensing or certifying entity. It is your responsibility to confirm this course meets your CE requirements. See the credit tab on the course page for details.
What’s Included: Full webinar recording, written course materials, expert instruction, a mandatory quiz, and a certificate upon completion.
Deliverability Timeline: All courses are generally available within 1-2 weeks after the live presentation.
CE Credits: AIA and/or LA/CES accreditation is available by request for courses recorded prior to March 11, 2026. All courses after that date include those accreditations by default, if applicable. With these accreditations, our courses qualify for credit in nearly all states for engineers, surveyors, architects, and landscape architects.
Learn more about the on-demand format in our FAQ or contact us at (715) 835-5900 or customerservice@halfmoonseminars.org
Agenda
Registration: 8:00 – 8:30 am
Morning Session: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
Lunch (On your own): 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session: 1:00 – 4:30 pm
The Process of Designing Buildings that Meet Energy Codes
Overview of current governing energy codes and their relationship to other building codes
Codes vs. standards vs. guidelines
Code compliance mechanisms and enforcement
Meeting energy code requirements and the design process
Building performance simulation (BPS) for verification of code compliance
Post occupancy – monitoring, evaluation, and certification (e.g., LEED)
Building Energy Codes and Their Requirements
ASHRAE 90.1 2010 and 2013, and what is planned for future versions
International Energy Conservation Code (IECC 2012 and 2015)
Review of pertinent joint standards (ANSI/ASHRAE/IES)
High Performance (Green) Building Standards and Related Energy and Environmental Quality Requirements
LEED V.4 (LEED BDC and LEED EB)
2012 International Green Construction Code (IgCC)
ASHRAE 189.1 2014
Minnesota SB 2030 Challenge
Living Building Challenge
Energy Code Compliance Process
US Department of Energy – Building Energy Codes Program (BECP) compliance toolkit
• Determining the applicable code(s) by state
• Compliance path choices
• Checking requirements
• High performance building and the integrative design process
Minnesota SB 2030 Challenge compliance process
LEED v.4
Demonstrating compliance to Living Building Challenge
Building Performance Simulation (BPS) – Tools and Methods
The role of building performance simulation in tackling energy codes
• Energy code compliance approaches
• Energy modeling: from concept to code compliance
• New construction vs. existing buildings
• Cost considerations
Building performance simulation tools
Pros and cons of various building simulation tools
Building Performance Simulation (BPS) Services and Delivery
Value added BPS services
In-house vs. outsourcing
Building performance simulation training and certification programs
Case examples
Credits
Professional Engineers
6.5 PDHs
Architects
6.5 Contact Hours (PDHs)
6.5 AIA HSW Learning Units
International Code Council
.65 CEUs – Energy
Building Officials
See information below
Continuing Education Credit Information
This seminar is open to the public and offers 6.5 PDHs to professional engineers and 6.5 continuing education hours (HSW) to architects in all states. Educators and courses are not subject to preapproval in Minnesota.
This seminar is approved by the American Institute of Architects for 6.5 HSW Leaning Units (Sponsor No. J885).
Engineers and architects seeking continuing education credit in other states will be able to apply the hours earned at this seminar, in most cases. Refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.
HalfMoon Education intends to apply to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Construction Codes and Licensing Division for course approval for building officials. Contact doug@halfmoonseminars.org for application/approval updates.
The International Code Council has approved this event for .65 CEUs in the specialty area of Energy.
Attendance will be monitored and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.
Speakers
Loren Abraham
Adjunct Assistant Professor and Research Fellow, University of Minnesota School of Architecture, College of DesignArchitect, author, educator and researcher. Loren Abraham has 40 years’ experience in the building and construction industry. Registered since 1990 and Voted in the Top 25 Most Innovative Architects by Glass Magazine, 2003. Mr. Abraham has been acknowledged as a leader in the design and construction of ecologically sound, livable, high performance and net-zero energy buildings. He has contributed significantly to education about energy and environmental issues as well as the creation of new methods and software for optimizing building design and performance. Mr. Abraham has worked actively with the White House, the AIA, the US Green Building Council, The Sustainable Buildings Industries Council, ASTM, the Department of Energy and other federal agencies as well as numerous product manufacturers and leading design firms. His work has received numerous awards and has been featured in many publications including American Libraries, Architecture, Architectural Record, Business Week, Corporate Report, Glass Magazine, Interiors, Library Journal, Metropolis, and the Wall Street Journal.