Energy Conscious Construction (ECC)
WHAT IS ECC?
The School of Design and Construction’s programs in Energy Conscious Construction (ECC) is nationally recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Design Designation. This recognition ensures that the ECC provides students with a solid foundation in building science and the opportunity to apply that knowledge in the design process through its various assessment methods. The ECC offers an interdisciplinary emphasis in energy-efficient residential buildings, with a focus on the state of Washington and covering all phases of the design process from design through construction and post occupancy evaluation.
Washington’s residential buildings consume 23% of all the state’s energy and building-related emissions are the state’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gases. Washington is committed to reducing the built environment’s impact on the natural environment through a progressive energy code and other initiatives.
The ECC programs cover competency gaps that prepare you for a future in alignment with state’s initiatives. Whether you are a student or an industry professional, ECC has a program of study for you. ECC offers students Certificates at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as a Professional Master’s Degree. In addition, Continuing Education Units are available to everyone online through professional organizations.
Student Testimonials
The Energy Conscious Construction courses have given me an essential foundational understanding of building sciences with skills I have already utilized in my non-ECC courses and know will be useful as I enter the professional field.
Taryn White
The Building Energy Codes course was my first real introduction to codes. It gave me an understanding of how to navigate, understand, and work with energy codes and rating systems. Although the focus of this course is residential in Washington state, the ideas and methods explored in this course are widely applicable, to both locations and types of architecture.
Taryn White
Before the Energy Modeling II course, my understanding of the Sefaira interface was, in short, rudimentary. I knew the software enough to run it, but my understanding of where the data was coming from or what it meant was almost nonexistent. Energy Modeling explores Sefaira and how it can be used as a tool to analyze and reduce the energy use of buildings. Through the exploration of Sefaira, my understanding of how HVAC systems, massing, envelopes, glazing, and other components worked to impact energy use grew immensely. I have utilized the understanding and knowledge I’ve gained in this course in every semester since.
Taryn White
Tectonics was a great introduction to building envelopes. Through the course lectures, we gained a better understanding of enclosure assemblies. Being on the Pullman campus and part of the in-person section, we got hands-on experience constructing a wall assembly and then testing it for air leakage.
Taryn White
I think the ECC certificate is a great program for any engineering or design major because it shows you real-world examples of what has already been done, what’s being done, and what you can do to make buildings even better in the future.
Jessica Taylor
The ECC certificate program has helped me prepare for the future — it kept everything on a real and applicable level.
Jessica Taylor
The Energy Modeling II course provided a comprehensive step-by-step introduction to daylighting and energy analysis at a pace that allows for the attention and exploration of details that has not been available to me in other classes. I had previous exposure to Sefaira and had found the number of options and the online layout overwhelming. This class presented each aspect, and corresponding set of variables, in connection to our growing knowledge base. This gave me a framework that provided insight to the organization of the energy analysis software, which has helped me adapt my analysis technique to fit later projects.
Jean Baker
I had little exposure to energy codes before taking the Building Energy Codes course. The instructor was able to relate the emerging codes to real-world issues and to discuss how and why specific codes and code exceeding rating systems developed. Not only did that give life to an otherwise completely dull list of rules, but it helped me to understand the organization of energy codes and their statutes. Now I have familiarity with when there is a benefit to letting energy codes or rating systems influence design and also how energy codes can be used to support an already energy conscious design.
Jean Baker
WHAT CARRER OPPROTUNITIES DO ECC PROGRAMS OFFER?
ENGINEERING
Mechanical Engineers
Civil Engineers
Environmental Engineers
Structural Engineers
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Architects
Envelope Specialists
Landscape Architects
Interior Designers
Construction Managers
INSPECTIONS & MAINTENANCE
Energy Auditors
Building Inspectors
Building Officials
Energy Raters
HOW ARE ECC PROGRAMS STRUCTURED
The foundational structure of the ECC curriculum is shaped by a series of learning modules that each focus on a specific topic. The modules are packaged into courses, and the courses are combined into the three offerings for the students as well as the continuing education units for professionals.
The certificates address four primary competency gaps (Energy Modeling + Simulation; Environmental Control Systems; Building Codes, Standards, and Rating Systems; and Envelope Assemblies + Structural Systems) whereas the Professional Master’s Degree address two additional competency gaps to the previous four: Measured Performance Data and Smart Building Systems.
ENERGY MODELING & SIMULATION:
Analyze design performance prior to construction
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS:
Meet and exceed state energy code requirements
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS:
Integrate energy-efficient ECS into designs
ASSEMBLIES & STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS:
Integrate energy-efficient assemblies into designs
MEASURED PERFORMANCE DATA:
Evaluate built projects through field observations
SMART BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES:
Understand human behavior impact on building operation
For more information, please contact Omar Al-Hassawi or Treva Beebe.
RECOGNITION
Washington State University’s Energy Conscious Construction Undergraduate Certificate Program and Energy Conscious Construction Graduate Certificate Program have earned the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Design Designation for ensuring students have a solid foundation in building science and the opportunity to apply that knowledge in the design process through its various assessment methods. The Zero Energy Design Designation recognizes these programs’ commitment to imbuing students with a greater understanding of the enduring impacts their design choices have on the built and natural environment.
FUNDING SPONSOR
This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) under the Building Technologies Office (BTO) Award Number DE-EE0009746
SUPPORTIVE QUOTES
“The path to a carbon neutral built environment relies on a strong collective vision and many small contributions in designing, building, and operating and maintaining the buildings where we live and work. The WSU Energy Conscious Construction (ECC) Programs fit perfectly into this vision, and offer a range of educational opportunities that will prepare students to deliver on high performing buildings in an integrated approach. The industry needs graduates that are well versed in building performance basics and who understand high performing design.
Our firm is committed to delivering carbon neutrality in all of our projects, from urban office buildings like the Bullitt Center, to overseas embassies, higher education facilities, and even in single family residential work like Loom House. We use the 2030 Challenge to set firm-wide goals. The ECC Programs provide the types of technical expertise and experience we need in our firm to achieve these goals.”
“To meet the challenges of climate change, buildings must implement low-carbon designs and be able to resist the worst effects of our changing climate. Climate-resilient design provides us with solutions that will positively impact the well-being of future generations while providing safe and comfortable buildings for us to thrive in. Students who complete Washington State University’s Energy Conscious Construction (ECC) Programs are taking a step toward meeting these challenges. Program graduates will join a community of building professionals who seek to deliver high-performing buildings and share the responsibility of creating a sustainable built world.
At RDH, we work with all building types and energy codes and standards, including those with the most aspirational performance targets. Through our involvement with governments to develop energy and carbon design requirements and with utilities to assess and design energy-saving programs, we bring detailed knowledge of current and future performance mandates to our projects. We are looking for professionals who innately apply a low-carbon resilience lens to all the work they do and are invested in joining us to lead the building science industry in addressing climate change. RDH’s team of professionals provide this leadership through their commitment to sustainable design and construction practices, research, policy development, and industry training.
At the heart of RDH’s approach is designing buildings to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate. Whether it’s hourly energy modeling, life cycle assessments, Passive House certification, or building enclosure commissioning, we have achieved the most ambitious energy performance, sustainability, and resilience goals. Those who complete the ECC Programs will gain the knowledge and experience we look for at our firm.”
“Are you passionate about creating a sustainable future? Then, building a carbon-neutral environment is the way to go! But it requires a united vision and the efforts of everyone involved in designing, building, and maintaining the places where we live and work. That’s why WSU’s Energy Conscious Construction Programs can provide the education you need to make a difference.
The industry needs graduates who understand building performance and high-performing design to achieve a greener future. That’s where you come in! You can learn the technical expertise and experience needed to create eco-friendly buildings that work well with their surroundings.
Arcadis is all in for carbon neutrality. From urban mixed-use high-rise buildings to mass timber construction and cozy residential living like the Curv, the tallest Passive House building in the world, we’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint. We even set our goals using the 2030 Challenge to keep us on track. The best part? The ECC Programs provide the support we need to realize our collective goals. So, let’s work together to make a difference!”
