# Presentation: 401626

## Gary Epstein

**Gary Epstein**
- Energy *&* Resource Solutions
**National Workshop on State Building Energy Codes**
- June 25, 2003

## Supporting Energy Efficiency and Code ComplianceERS Background

**Energy Codes**
**Energy Code Training Courses**
**Technical Assistance Circuit Rider Programs**
**Consulting Services for Energy Code Compliance**
**Energy Efficiency and High Performance Buildings Consulting**
**Design Services and Design Assistance**
**Facility Studies for EE in New Construction and Retrofit Applications**
**Training in Energy Efficiency Design and Technologies**
**Energy Program Design and Implementation**
**Energy Program Evaluation**
**Green Building Development**

## Energy Code Training EffortsTraditional Approaches

**PowerPoint Presentations (Typically 2-4 Hours per Module)**
**Offered Intermittently at Central Locations**
**Focused on Energy Code Content and Requirements**
**Variety of Training Modules**
**Commercial and Residential Sectors**
**Building Envelope**
**Building Mechanical Systems**
**Building Electrical Systems**
**Compliance Software**
**Limited Interaction with Trainers**

## Energy Code Technical Assistance Circuit RiderOverview

**Aggressive Outreach to Support Energy Code Compliance**
**Approach Overview**
**In Office Technical Assistance and Expert Guidance**
**Address Client Company Specific Projects and Issues**
**Gain a Better Understanding of Energy Code Requirements**
**Learn Technical Approaches for Complying with Energy Codes**
**Discuss State-of-the-Art Approaches for Energy-Efficient Design & Construction Practice**
**Learn How and Why to Go Beyond Code**
**Encourage Positive Attitudes Toward Compliance**
**Forum for Candid Conversation on Code Issues**

## Are High Energy Code Compliance Rates Difficult to Achieve?

**YES!!!**
**Lack of Awareness and Understanding of Codes**
**Inadequate Education on Technical Approaches**
**Energy and Resource Efficiency is a Low Priority**
**Concerns About Competitiveness**
**Perception - There is No Accountability**

## Findings and Recommendationsto Further Support Energy Code Compliance

**Improve Outreach for **_**Non**_**-Design Firms**
**Energy Code and Energy Efficiency Training**
**More Widely Available Energy Code Training**
**Energy Efficiency Training for Architects and Engineers**
**Targeted Energy Code Training for Contractors/Vendors**
**Expert Technical Assistance Resources**
**Continued and Expanded Circuit Rider Efforts**
**Other Recommendations and Resources**
**Need for More Instructional Documents and Qualified Links for Information **
**Integrate Code Training Efforts with General Data on Energy Efficiency Programs and Advanced Design Resources**** **
**Publish Summary Guides of Available Utility Programs**

## TAO – Technical Assistance Online Integrated E-Learning and Technical Assistance 

**General Online Technical Assistance Website**
**Energy Codes**
**Energy Efficient Design and Construction Techniques**
**Energy Efficiency Products**
**Energy Efficiency Programs**
**Integration of Multiple Concepts**
**E-Learning Courses**
**Expert Technical Assistance**
**Resources to Expand Learning**
**Additional Related Concepts to Enhance Learning**
**Customizable to Operate in Alternative Site Environments**

## TAO – Technical Assistance Online for Energy Codes E-Learning Features 

**Courses Address**
**Commercial and Residential Sectors**
**All Building Systems (Envelope, Mechanical, Electrical)**
**Compliance Software**
**TAO E-Learning Course Features**
**Courses Broken into Modules and Lessons**
**Initial Courses Developed for Model Codes then Customized for State Codes**
**Dynamic, Self-Paced Interactive Training Courses**
**Visitors Can Select Full Courses or Any Specific Modules or Lesson**
**Context-Sensitive Connection to Other TAO Features**
**TAO Website System Keeps Track of Your Course History**
**Courses Include Quizzes and Tests to Evaluate Learning Effectiveness**

## TAO – Technical Assistance Online for Energy Codes Expert Advisor (Technical Assistance) Features 

**Online Resource for Energy Code Questions**
**Nationally Recognized Experts in Energy Code/Technology Areas**
**Peer-to-Peer Approach for Technical Assistance**
**Alternative and Supplement to E-Learning Courses**
**Visitor or Expert Can Include Attachments to Illustrate Points**
**TAO Website System Keeps Track of Your Course History**
**E-mail Routing System and Other Features**
**Determines Which Expert Gets Inquiry **
**Allows for Systematic Review Before Return, If Desired**
**Tracking Functionality Informs TAO Project Managers of Status**
**Database of Questions and Answers**
**Offers Experts Access to Previous Questions and Answers**
**Provides Foundation for Searchable Knowledge Base**

## TAO – Technical Assistance Online for Energy Codes Resource Center 

**Resource Center Features**
**Pre-Evaluated, Annotated Links to other Sites**
**Downloadable Documents**
**Energy Code and Energy Efficiency Glossary**
**Knowledge Base that Grows with Expert Advisor Interactions**
**Information Can Be Customized for State Implementations**
**Integrated Search Tools Let Visitors Quickly and Easily Find Relevant Center’s Information**

## TAO – Technical Assistance Online for Energy Codes Other Features

**Energy Efficiency Advanced Design Information**
**Enhanced Information to Support Capability to Compliance**
**Energy Product and Building Technology Information**
**Qualified Manufacturer Data and Presentations**
**Energy Efficient Program Information**
**Data on Utility or State Operated Efficiency Programs**