Renewable Energy, Energy Storage and Resiliency
2026-01-14 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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Event Description
As energy codes and interest in electrification come together, the winning combination of renewable energy and energy storage work together to reduce pollution, improve affordability and, importantly, support resiliency in emergencies that may lead to power outages. We’ll review the background and drivers of distributed energy generation and storage and review different approaches to meet a project team’s goals.
Event Learning Objectives

Understand the drivers for increasing distributed PV’s and battery storage for individual projects and neighborhoods
Differentiate between terms including distributed energy storage, ‘microgrids’, islanding, grid-tied, demand response and behind-the-meter / in-front-of-the-meter
Review key design features of batteries to inform system selection and sizing
Understand factors impacting upfront and long-term system costs, including time of use and options for managing renewable energy and battery use.

Learning Units

1.0 AIA LUs approved for this course
1.0 ZNCD CEUs approved for this course

Instructors
Andy Pease, In Balance Green Consulting
Jennifer Rennick, In Balance Green Consulting
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

Navigating the Energy Code
2026-01-22 09:30 - 11:00
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Event Description
If you’re new to the energy code (Title 24 Part 6) and looking for a place to start, or just wanting a refresher, this is the class for you! We’ll break down the scope and goals of the code, how it’s organized, where to find key information for your project and what are some general best practices for successful implementation during design, permitting and construction.
Learning Objectives
• Understand what the Building Energy Efficiency Standards code is and why we have one in California
• Learn how the energy code is organized and where to find the information you need
• Recognize key energy requirements that can inform building design, plan review and construction decisions
• Learn strategies to communicate energy code requirements to promote successful implementation of energy efficiency and indoor air quality standards.
Learning Units

1.50 AIA LUs will apply for this course
0.15 ICC CEUs will apply for this course
1.50 CEA CEUs will apply for this course

Instructors
Jennifer Rennick, In Balance Green Consulting
Andy Pease, In Balance Green Consulting
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

Unitary versus Split Heat Pump Water Heating Systems
2026-01-29 10:00 - 23:30
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Event Description
This course introduces the key differences between unitary and split heat pump water heater systems, with a focus on what they are, what they do, and how they can be used in new or retrofit building applications. Participants will gain a practical understanding of the advantages, challenges, and considerations for selecting the right system in residential and light commercial projects. The session will also cover installation factors, energy efficiency impacts, and maintenance requirements, helping professionals make informed decisions when specifying or recommending heat pump water heating solutions.
Learning Objectives

Describe the fundamental differences between unitary and split heat pump water heater systems.
Identify the advantages and limitations of unitary and split systems in terms of performance, installation requirements, and maintenance.
Evaluate the impact of system type on energy efficiency, climate zone suitability, and customer needs.
Apply best practices for selecting the appropriate system type for specific project scenarios, considering factors such as space constraints, noise levels, and refrigerant management.

Learning Units

1.0 AIA LUs applied for this course

Instructor
Eric Fenno, Small Planet Supply
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

2025 Energy Code in Practice: Single Family Residential
2026-02-04 09:30 - 23:00
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Event Description
Sorting through tables and reading the fine print in the energy code may get you the specific language of the code, but what does that really mean in practice? In this series, we’ll walk through key components for each building occupancy type, providing sample details, photos of installations and potential pitfalls to avoid. Highlighting 2025 changes throughout, this course is intended for designers, builders and building officials. Bring your questions and join in the discussion.
a. Single Family Residential (SFR) – THIS COURSE!
b. SFR Additions + Alterations
c. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s)
d. Multi-family Residential
e. Non-Residential
Learning Objectives
• Understand the metrics and standards used in the energy code for evaluating energy performance and indoor air quality, and how choices for electric or gas equipment may impact compliance with those standards.
• Within each building type, review key mandatory measures related to energy performance, ventilation, refrigerants and insulation and review potential challenges for integration into design and construction.
• Review the prescriptive “recipe card” approach versus a building performance approach and discuss when to use each strategy to best incorporate energy efficiency and healthy interior environments into the specific project design.
• Recognize where barriers or stumbling blocks may occur within permitting and construction and tips for documentation to smooth out the process, ultimately increasing the energy efficiency, health and safety of our buildings.
Learning Units

1.50 AIA LUs will apply for this course
0.15 ICC CEUs will apply for this course
1.50 CEA CEUs will apply for this course

Instructors
Jennifer Rennick, In Balance Green Consulting
Grant Murphy, In Balance Green Consulting
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

2025 California Energy Code & Passive House
2026-02-10 13:30 - 15:30
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Event Description
This course will provide an overview of how the 2025 California Title 24, Part 6 code addresses Passive House concepts. We will examine the basic principles, methodology, and performance targets of Passive House, focusing on electriﬁcation goals and their relationship to the updated California codes. The class will illustrate the goals, strategies, and results with regional case studies.
Learning Objectives
1. Explain Passive House principles and benefits.
2. Describe relevant California Code updates.
3. Outline strategies for building design and construction to meet Passive House and new code requirements.
4. Describe case studies of homes that achieve all-electric code-compliant Passive House outcomes and the strategies and outcomes.
Learning Units

2.0 AIA LUs will apply for this course
0.20 ICC CEUs will apply for this course
2.0 CEO CEUs will apply for this course

Instructor
Ken Levenson, Passive House Network
Course Location
Zoom link will be provided upon registration

Builder's Perspective: Heat Pump Water Heaters
2026-02-18 09:30 - 11:00
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Event Description
Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH’s) are favored by the energy code, and increasingly by building owners, for their energy efficiency, cost effectiveness and contribution to better indoor air quality, but implementation in the field may not be so clear cut. We’ll hear the builder’s perspective on tips for HPWH design, selection and installation, including best practices and pitfalls to avoid, whether new construction, renovation or replacement.
Learning Objectives
Coming soon!
Learning Units

1.0 AIA LUs will apply for this course
1 ZNCD approved for this course

Instructors
Jennifer Rennick, In Balance Green Consulting
Mike Horgan, Cairn Collaborative Design-Build
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

2025 Energy Code in Practice: Single Family Additions and Alterations
2026-03-10 09:30 - 11:00
Register
Event Description
Sorting through tables and reading the fine print in the energy code may get you the specific language of the code, but what does that really mean in practice? In this series, we’ll walk through key components for each building occupancy type, providing sample details, photos of installations and potential pitfalls to avoid. Highlighting 2025 changes throughout, this course is intended for designers, builders and building officials. Bring your questions and join in the discussion.
a. Single Family Residential (SFR)
b. SFR Additions + Alterations – THIS COURSE!
c. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU’s)
d. Multi-family Residential
e. Non-Residential
Learning Objectives

Understand the metrics and standards used in the energy code for evaluating energy performance and indoor air quality, and how choices for electric or gas equipment may impact compliance with those standards.
Within each building type, review key mandatory measures related to energy performance, ventilation, refrigerants and insulation and review potential challenges for integration into design and construction.
Review the prescriptive “recipe card” approach versus a building performance approach and discuss when to use each strategy to best incorporate energy efficiency and healthy interior environments into the specific project design.
Recognize where barriers or stumbling blocks may occur within permitting and construction and tips for documentation to smooth out the process, ultimately increasing the energy efficiency, health and safety of our buildings.

Learning Units

1.50 AIA LUs will apply for this course
0.15 ICC CEUs will apply for this course
1.50 CEA CEUs will apply for this course

Instructors
Jennifer Rennick, In Balance Green Consulting
Grant Murphy, In Balance Green Consulting
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

Ask the Experts: Judy Rachel
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00
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Event Description
This is an office-hours style open discussion with Home Performance Pro Judy Rachel. Judy specializes in single family home audits and HVAC system designs, guiding homeowners through performance and energy efficiency home retrofits.
Ask the Experts is a space to break down the head-scratchers and share strategies for navigating the gray areas where building science meets real-world complexity. Bring your stories about unusual jobs or tough calls and walk through it all with our experts!
The topic for this Ask the Experts is still TBD, if you have any requests let us know! You can email chloe.swick@venturacounty.gov to submit requests.
Learning Objectives
TBD
Learning Units

TBD

Instructor
Judy Rachel, Home Performance Pro
Course Location
Zoom link provided upon registration

Contractor Power Hour with Electrify My Home
2026-03-20 16:00 - 18:00
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Event Details
TBD
Learning Objectives

TBD

Learning Objectives
N/A
Instructors
Larry Waters, Electrify My Home
Course Location
TBD
