COTE-VERSATIONS
Energy Code Essentials: Preparing for What’s Next
Brought to you by
the Committee on the Environment (COTE)
Date: Thursday, February 21, 2025
Time: 12:30-1:30pm seminar (no AIA credits)
Venue: Zoom
Fee: Free but must register in advance
Stay ahead of the curve by joining the COTE Committee for Energy Code Essentials: Preparing for What’s Next with Special Guest Michael Hernandez from Rewiring America. We’ll dive into the latest energy code updates and sustainability focused legislation shaping the future of our industry.
ABOUT THE SPEAKER :
Michael Hernandez
Director, New York Policy for Rewiring America
Michael Hernandez is the Director, New York Policy for Rewiring America, he leads their efforts to influence state policy initiatives to accelerate the policy transition to demand-side electrification as the most tangible and common sense strategy for addressing the climate crisis. He led our successful efforts to enact the All Electric Building Act in New York which became the first state to electrify newly constructed buildings. As the Assistant Secretary for Program & Policy at the New York State Assembly, Michael was a lead negotiator for the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and was responsible for facilitating the legislative process for the Energy, Environmental Conservation, Transportation and Corporations legislative committees. Michael was also a lead negotiator for the laws enacting Congestion Pricing in Manhattan and the creation of the Gateway Commission. Michael was the Director of Intergovernmental Relations at the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY) where he facilitated the coordination of New York State’s Capital program by resolving any delays and/or inefficiencies between governmental entities in the financing and construction of the State’s infrastructure. Prior to working at the Assembly, Michael was a practicing attorney in New York City and advocate for the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG). Michael was awarded Common Cause’s I Love an Ethical New York honor in 2003 for his actions to ensure transparency at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Michael grew up bi-coastal spending time in New York City and Los Angeles and enjoys hiking, biking and birding.
Energy Code Updates Include:
All Electric Buildings starting in 2026 for low-rise buildings and 2028 for all buildings.
New requirement added for renewable energy (solar) of not less than 0.75 W/ft2 for commercial buildings.
Requirement added for commercial buildings regarding documentation and mitigation of energy losses associated with thermal bridges or interruptions in the building thermal envelope.
More restrictive building thermal envelope requirements added, as is typical for a code update.
Based on recent climate data consistently higher temperatures, 8 counties that were previously in Climate Zone 6 are now in Climate Zone 5: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tompkins, and Wyoming.
ICC requirements added for applicants following the prescriptive compliance path to accrue a minimum number of “additional efficiency credits” chosen from a list of options.
Requirement added for energy recovery ventilation (ERV) for residential buildings in Climate Zone 6 and for commercial buildings, with some exceptions.
New limits added on the use of electric resistance space heating.
To align with recent updates to federal standards, the applicable tables reflect increased minimum efficiency requirements for gas-fired water heaters, hot-water boilers, air conditioning, and refrigeration equipment, and other federally preempted equipment.
Increased equipment efficiency requirements for commercial elevators and escalators.
Separate electric metering requirements added for low-rise multi-family buildings - consistent with the existing requirements for multi-family buildings 4 stories or more.
Increased lighting efficiency requirements for new buildings as well as new thresholds triggering compliance in alterations.
