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Code Breaker: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)2025 Energy Code

Webinar

AIAOC Lunch Hour Webinar


AIA Orange County & Southern California Edison,

 A Collaborative Partnership


Presents

  

Code Breaker: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU)

2025 Energy Code

Course Description:



This hour-long virtual course focuses on requirements in the 2025 Energy Code (Title 24 Part 6) for accessory dwelling units (ADU). We will discuss how to identify the ADU type and its impact on Energy Code requirements for envelope, mechanical, photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage system or battery readiness, and ECC (formerly known as HERS) measures. We will also review how the compliance metrics differ depending on ADU type, including the new compliance metrics for new construction ADUs.

Learning Objectives:


  • Establish if an ADU design is considered an alteration, addition, or a new residential building per the Energy Code. 


  • Discuss the envelope (roof, walls, floors, fenestration) requirements associated with the
  • ADU type (alteration, addition, new construction) under the 2025 Energy Code. 


  • Recognize the renewable energy requirements of ADU type including photovoltaics (PV), battery energy storage system, and battery readiness. 


  • Determine mechanical equipment requirements, including any ECC (formerly known as HERS) verification measure options that provide ADU design flexibility, and how the new compliance metrics may impact those choices. 

Date: March 11, 2026


Webinar: 12:00 PM – 1:00PM (Webinar link will be sent to registrants on March 10th)


Learning Units: 1 AIA HSW


Cost: Free (AIA Members, please include your AIA membership number for your learning unit).


Presenter:


Nick Brown is President of Build Smart, an independent energy consultancy specializing in California energy modeling, energy code, and building performance that supports builders and architects in designing energy-efficient buildings. Nick is a Certified Energy Analyst (CEA) for residential and an Associate Energy Analyst (AEA) for nonresidential construction by the California Association of Building Energy Consultants (CABEC). He is a Subject Matter Expert on the Energy Code Ace statewide education team and teaches classes for Southern California Edison on Net Zero Design, All-electric Homes, Heat Pumps, and Selling Clean Energy Homes


This program is brought to you by Southern California Edison

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