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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Webinar Archives

Learn about past Building Technologies Office (BTP) Webinars through the descriptions, videos, slides, and transcripts linked below. Also find information about upcoming BTP Webinars.

The following webinar archives are available for viewing in Windows Media Player as Windows Media Video (WMV) files. To view these WMV files, you will need a computer running Microsoft Windows with Windows Media Player, version 9 or later. Download Windows Media Player.

Past webinar titles:

July 28, 2011: Industry Review: Low-Cost Cold Climate Solar Water Heating Roadmap

This webinar focused on low cost solar water heating (SWH) systems for freezing climates. The speakers discussed the innovation challenges involved and some examples of paths to solutions. During the webinar, presenters asked for feedback from key industry players on gaps and barriers limiting the development of low cost solar water heating systems for cold climates. Feedback from the webinar will be used to structure a roadmap for collaborative, market-driven development of low cost solar water heating solutions for cold climates.

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July 26, 2011: Saving Energy in Multifamily Buildings

This webinar introduced the Building America team, Partnership for Advanced Residential Retrofit (PARR) and its partners, outlined team objectives, and highlighted their current research program, Energy Savers. PARR is a midwest team addressing cold climate upgrades led by Gas Technology Institute. Energy Savers is a one-stop shop for owners of multifamily buildings in the Chicago region that provides technical assistance and financing to increase energy efficiency in these buildings. To date, the program has completed retrofit work in more than 5,000 units.

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July 7, 2011: An Introduction to the EnergyValue Housing Awards (EVHA) – Everything You Should Know to Complete a Quality Application

This webinar reviewed the history and goals of the EVHA Program, including comments from past winners and an overview of how to complete a quality application. Builder/remodeler presenters from Stitt Energy Systems and Ferrier Custom Homes discussed their commitment to high-performance building, the benefits of entering the EVHA and value of EVHA recognition, how the program has changed over the years, and ways in which they have used their EnergyValue Housing Awards to promote their product.

 

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April 28, 2011: HVAC Right-Sizing Part 1: Calculating Loads

This webinar, presented by IBACOS (a Building America Research Team) highlighted the key criteria required to create accurate heating and cooling load calculations. Current industry rules of thumb, perceptions and barriers to right-sizing HVAC were also discussed.

 

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March 15, 2011: Home Energy Score Pilots Update

Joan Glickman, DOE Project Manager for Home Energy Score, gave an update on the 10 Home Energy Score pilot locations and how to work with the Home Energy Score in this webinar. Learn more about Home Energy Score.

 

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February 23, 2011: High-Performance Rooftop Unit Specification Overview for Building Owners and Operators

DOE worked with members of the Commercial Building Energy Alliances (CBEA), including Target and Walmart, to develop new performance criteria for high-performance rooftop units (RTUs). To achieve the best-in-class RTUs requested by industry partners, DOE is encouraging manufacturers to follow this new specification. This webinar provided an overview of the specification and how it will benefit building owners and operators. Learn more about the specification on the High Performance Rooftop Unit Challenge Web page.

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February 22, 2011: Residential Building Energy Codes - IECC 2012 and Beyond

Major changes will be made in the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) as compared to the 2009 IECC. This webinar provided an overview of the role that the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) residential Building Energy Codes Program played in the development of the 2012 edition of the IECC and a forecast of the future of energy codes.

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February 16, 2011: Better Buildings Initiative Overview

The Better Buildings initiative, which will focus on improving efficiency in commercial buildings, was announced by President Obama at Penn State University on February 3, 2011. See the White House Press Release on the Better Buildings Initiative. This webinar provided an overview of the initiative, its efficiency goals, and next steps.

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January 18, 2011: National Residential Efficiency Measures Database Unveiled

The National Residential Efficiency Measures Database project aims to provide a national unified database of residential building retrofit measures and associated costs. The format of the data is compatible with software programs that evaluate cost-effective retrofit measures to improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings and the database is publicly accessible. This webinar explored the current status and future direction of the database project.

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December 14, 2010: Commercial Lighting Solutions Web Tool: Improve Your Building Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy's Commercial Lighting Solutions interactive Web tool provides best practices lighting solutions for offices and box retail in both new and existing buildings. This webinar explored the tool's capabilities and how to get a detailed estimate of energy savings compared to energy codes or pre-existing conditions using equipment quantities, chosen lighting controls, and performance specifications.

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November 17, 2010: Home Energy Score Update

Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the launch of the Home Energy Score Pilot program on November 9, 2010. This webinar provided an update on the program and answered stakeholders questions posed during the session.

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October 28, 2010: Strategies to Cut Energy Use by 50% in Commercial Buildings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) released reports in FY 2010 examining various strategies to reduce energy use by 50% in large hospitals, quick service restaurants, and large and medium office buildings. This webinar reviewed the purpose and methodologies of the reports and their key findings. To view the reports, please visit the Commercial Buildings Integration Program Design Guides Web page.

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August 24, 2010: ENERGY STAR Pilot Verification Testing Program

In support of the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP), the U.S. Department of Energy is testing appliances for compliance with the applicable ENERGY STAR Program Requirements to verify that off-the-floor products indeed perform to qualifying levels. This webinar discussed the pilot verification program, results to date, and plans for future testing in 2011.

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June 22, 2010: Cost-Effective Triple Pane (R-5) and Low-e Storm Windows

Windows in the United States account for 30% of building heating and cooling energy loss and represent a key opportunity for improving energy efficiency of buildings. This webinar provided information about the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) effort to bring affordable triple pane and low-e storm windows to the marketplace. Through the launch of a new DOE-sponsored volume purchase program, builders and distributors can buy these windows at a competitive price.

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June 21, 2010: National Energy Rating Program Request for Information

This webinar detailed the recent National Energy Rating Program for Homes Request for Information. This presentation was a part of a series to inform stakeholders of the issues of this program including metrics, measurements and consumer presentation. The session then gave these groups the opportunity to ask questions and share their comments.

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May 18, 2010: U.S. Department of Energy Commercial Reference Buildings — Benefits and Applications

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and three of its national laboratories developed comprehensive commercial reference buildings (formerly Commercial Building Benchmark Models). These are complete descriptions of buildings for whole building energy analysis. This webinar provided an overview of the reference buildings including how they were developed, what building types and climates are available, as well as the benefits, applications, and future plans.

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April 22, 2010: Calculating Energy Savings of Cool Roofs

This webinar provided an overview of the benefits of cool roofs, and introduced an enhanced calculator that is now available to measure cost effectiveness and energy savings of cool roofs in both residential and commercial applications. In addition, current and future DOE research strategies and partnerships to enable the deployment of cool roofs were discussed.

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March 18, 2010: Getting to Net Zero Energy Through a Performance-Based Design/Build Process

This webinar provided an overview of the U.S. Department of Energy's national showcase building on the campus of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The design of the 220,000 square foot Research Support Facility focused on a building with very low energy needs offset with on-site renewable energy generation. In this webinar, members of the project's design/build team discussed how net-zero energy buildings are achievable and marketable now.

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March 9, 2010: Department of Energy Stakeholder Webinar: DOE's Progress to Date and Future Plans on National Building Rating Program

This webinar provided an update of DOE's plans to work with industry and stakeholders in the area of U.S. residential building performance and labeling. The webinar discussed current status and next steps in the development of a national label for homes, workforce training and certification, and home energy retrofits.

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February 16, 2010: Going With the Flow: Designing High-Performance Buildings with EnergyPlus

This presentation focused on the importance of precise energy simulations in the drive for high-performance buildings, and provided an overview of the features and capabilities of EnergyPlus software and the OpenStudio plugin.

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January 12, 2010: Greensburg, KS: Lessons Learned and Steps Forward

The third and final webinar in the Greensburg series reviewed successes in rebuilding green in the residential sector, financing for rebuilding green homes, the launch of a new wind energy business, and lessons learned about rebuilding green from a federal agency perspective.

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December 17, 2009: Department of Energy Stakeholder Call: Activities and Programs Relating to Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Residential Buildings

This webinar provided an overview of DOE's plans in the area of U.S. residential building performance and labeling, and discussed development of a national Building Rating Program, an energy label for homes, workforce training and certification, and large-scale home energy retrofits.

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December 15, 2009: Greensburg, Kansas, and Beyond

This second webinar in the Greensburg series focuses on the town's efforts to rebuild green and features a detailed look at Greensburg's built environment, Greensburg's approach to wind-generated electricity, and John Deere's plans for green dealership buildings throughout North America.

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November 23, 2009: Greensburg—America's Model Green Community in Their Own Words

This webinar provided an overview of how Greensburg, Kansas, a town that was nearly destroyed by a tornado, rebuilt as "America's model green community." City leaders explained how decisions were made to rebuild with the largest concentration of LEED® certified buildings in the world, and where the town is headed.

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September 15, 2009: The Building of the Solar Decathlon

This webinar provided information about the development of the Solar Decathlon, from concept to the growth of the event. Topics included technology usage, international engagement, and the stars of the event...the students.

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August 27, 2009: Energy Efficiency & Retrofit Jobs in the Buildings Industry — Workforce Overview

This webinar provided an overview of jobs involved with retrofitting existing homes to improve energy efficiency. It was geared toward community college administrators, Workforce Investment System labor offices and agencies, training centers, and other organizations that consult with workers about job opportunities and training.

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