Builder & Contractor Training Courses

Newport Ventures has partnered with NYSERDA to provide free Energy Code training to the building and trade community to support the transition to the 2025 ECCCNYS. With a long history of delivering engaging and effective training across the state our team of professional trainers is here to get you up to speed on major changes in the new code and best practices for cost-effective compliance.

See our course offerings below and contact us if you are interested in hosting a training for your group!

Upcoming Trainings

The 2025 ECCCNYS & Existing Homes: What You Need to Know

Applying Energy Code Requirements to Renovations, Additions, and Alterations

Existing homes present unique compliance challenges that differ significantly from new construction. This course focuses on how the 2025 ECCCNYS applies to renovation projects, additions, repairs, alterations, and changes of occupancy.

Participants will learn when Chapter 5 requirements apply, how exceptions are interpreted, and what project teams must consider when upgrading existing residential buildings. Practical examples help attendees understand common renovation scenarios and avoid costly mistakes during design, permitting, and construction.

Who Should Attend:

Remodelers, renovation contractors, architects, designers, code officials, and residential construction professionals.

Key Learning Topics:

Chapter 5 requirements for existing buildings
Additions, alterations, repairs, and occupancy changes
New York-specific amendments and exceptions
Insulation and air barrier upgrades
Window and door replacement requirements
HVAC and ventilation considerations
Common compliance challenges in renovation projects

2025 ECCCNYS Overview: What You Need to Know About Changes in the New Energy Code

Understanding New York’s Latest Energy Code Requirements

The 2025 Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State (ECCCNYS) introduces significant updates that impact residential and commercial construction projects throughout the state. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the most important changes and explains how they affect design, construction, inspections, and compliance documentation.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of new requirements, compliance pathways, testing provisions, and efficiency measures, enabling them to navigate the updated code with confidence and avoid costly compliance issues.

Who Should Attend:

Builders, architects, engineers, code officials, energy professionals, contractors, and developers.

Key Learning Topics:

Major updates in the 2025 ECCCNYS
New residential and commercial compliance requirements
Total Conductance methodology
Updated blower door and duct leakage testing provisions
Changes to lighting and controls requirements
New efficiency package options and compliance pathways
Impacts on project documentation and inspections

How to Document Energy Code Compliance – Plan Details & Documentation of Field Testing

Creating Complete, Accurate, and Code Compliant Construction Documents

Energy code compliance begins long before construction starts. This course provides practical guidance for preparing, reviewing, and evaluating the documentation required to demonstrate compliance with New York’s residential energy code requirements.

Participants will learn how to identify critical energy-related information within construction plans, evaluate manufacturer documentation, understand testing reports, and avoid common documentation errors that lead to project delays or failed inspections. Through real-world examples and plan-review exercises, attendees will gain confidence in producing and reviewing code-compliant project documentation.

Who Should Attend:

Designers, architects, builders, plan reviewers, code officials, energy consultants, and project managers.

Key Learning Topics:

Required energy code information on residential plans
Insulation and fenestration documentation requirements
Air sealing and mechanical ventilation documentation
Blower door and duct leakage testing reports
Common compliance documentation deficiencies
Best practices for plan review and project coordination

Cost Effective Electrification: Best Practices to Deliver High-Quality, All-Electric Homes at a Competitive Price

Building High-Performance, All-Electric Homes That Work

As New York continues its transition toward a cleaner energy future, residential builders, designers, and code professionals need practical strategies for delivering high-performance, all-electric homes that are both affordable and code compliant. This course explores the technologies, design approaches, and construction practices that make cost-effective electrification achievable in today’s housing market.

Participants will learn how to integrate heat pumps, electric water heating, induction cooking, improved building envelopes, and electric-ready infrastructure into residential projects while maintaining affordability, comfort, and durability. Real-world examples and case studies demonstrate how builders are successfully implementing electrification strategies and communicating their value to homeowners.

Who Should Attend:

Builders, contractors, architects, designers, energy consultants, code officials, and residential construction professionals.

Key Learning Objectives:

Benefits of all-electric and electric-ready construction
Heat pump space conditioning and water heating systems
Building envelope strategies that support electrification
Cost-effective pathways to compliance
Communicating electrification benefits to homeowners
Common challenges and solutions in residential projects

FAQs: The Most Common Code Application Questions from Builders

Answers to the Questions Builders Ask Most

Even experienced construction professionals encounter questions when applying energy code requirements in the field. This interactive course addresses the most common areas of confusion and provides practical guidance for interpreting and applying residential energy code provisions correctly.

Using real-world examples, case studies, and live code demonstrations, participants will learn where to find answers within the code, how to resolve common compliance questions, and how to avoid misunderstandings that can delay projects or create inspection issues.

Who Should Attend:

Builders, contractors, code officials, designers, inspectors, and construction professionals seeking practical code guidance.

Key Learning Topics:

Frequently misunderstood code requirements
Insulation and air sealing questions
Duct testing and blower door testing issues
Conditioned space definitions and interpretations
R408 efficiency package requirements
Total Conductance compliance questions
Strategies for finding and interpreting code provisions
Real-world compliance scenarios and solutions

Advanced Building Practices for High-Performance, Cost Effective Construction

Going Beyond Minimum Compliance to Maximize Performance

Today’s most successful projects achieve more than basic code compliance—they deliver superior energy performance, occupant comfort, durability, and long-term value. This advanced-level course explores the building science principles, technologies, and compliance strategies that support high-performance residential construction.

Participants will compare multiple compliance pathways, evaluate performance tradeoffs, examine innovative construction approaches, and learn how advanced building practices can improve project outcomes while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Who Should Attend:

Experienced builders, architects, designers, energy raters, consultants, and advanced code professionals.

Key Learning Topics:

Comparing residential compliance pathways
Total Conductance calculations and applications
R405 and R406 performance compliance options
R408 Additional Efficiency Package requirements
High-performance building envelope strategies
Advanced HVAC and ventilation approaches
Connections to ENERGY STAR®, PHIUS, and above-code programs

Energy Code Hotline

Have a question about the Energy Code? Call our Energy Code Hotline! Our team of code experts are informed and ready to answer your questions on residential, commercial and stretch codes. Call us or fill out the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible!

Monday-Friday

8:30AM-4:30PM

518-377-9410

Energy Code Hotline Form