Energy Code - Forms

Residential Buildings

Residential buildings include single‑family homes, duplexes, townhouses, and 1–3‑story multifamily buildings where all dwelling units are accessed from exterior walkways. Most multifamily buildings with interior corridors are now classified as commercial buildings. For the full definition of “residential building,” see Chapter 2 of the residential energy code.

You must submit duct‑leakage forms and heating‑system sizing forms. If you use the Total UA Alternative path, you must submit that form as well. Post the Insulation Certificate in the completed building. All forms and resources are available on the WSU Energy Program website.

Prescriptive Method. This is the simplest WSEC compliance path. Your project meets the building‑envelope requirements when it meets the minimum insulation levels for the climate zone. Use the C3 Calculator on the WSU website to document prescriptive compliance.

Glazing Schedule: Using the Prescriptive Method, all glazing must have an "area weighted average" U-Factor of 0.30. This means that some windows can have a higher U-factor than 0.30 and some can have a lower U-factor than 0.30, as long as the area weighted average is U-0.30 or lower. You may need to complete this form to document glazing compliance when applying for your building permit

Heating System Sizing Calculator:   Use the HVAC sizing tool based on ACCA Manual J from BetterBuiltNW. Click the question mark at the top of each page for instructions. You can also find step‑by‑step instructional videos on YouTube by searching for BetterBuiltNW: HVAC Sizing Tools.

Total UA Alternative Worksheet (found in WSU's Code Compliance Calculator - Set code compliance pathway to "Total UA Alternative"): The Total UA Alternative worksheet has been updated to provide the user with error prompts when information is incorrect or missing. Click on the “code compliance calculator” (C3) link in this website.

Alterations: Requirements for alterations or remodels of existing structures are found in Chapter 5 of the residential energy code and differ from the requirements for new construction. No credits from Table R406.2 are required and existing buildings are not necessarily required to meet all of the requirements of the energy code. This form, 2021 WSEC-R 2nd Edition Remodel/Alteration Worksheet, will show what is required for your remodel.

Commercial Buildings

Includes all buildings except single-family, duplex, townhouse, and 1 – 3-story multifamily that have exterior entries to all dwelling units.

• Decarbonization Planning Form
  For projects replacing some fossil fuel-fired HVAC heating or water heating equipment, you are required to complete this form (see Section C503.4.6.2 of the 2021 Seattle Energy Code).
• 2021 commercial web tool compliance forms tools
• 2018 Building Envelope Form                                                                                                                                    If you are using the Component Performance option in Section C402.1.5 of the energy code, follow the related instructions in the web tool.
• 2021 Commissioning Compliance Checklist
• 2018 Commissioning Compliance Checklist
• 2015 Commissioning Compliance Checklist 
• C407 Energy Modeling Compliance Form 
  To activate Seattle-specific compliance, go to the "Code/Above-code program" line near the top of the "General Information" tab, and select "Seattle" code from pulldown menu. 
• 2021 Lighting Forms (sign-in required)
• 2018 Lighting Forms
• 2015 Lighting Forms                                                                                                                                                You must submit the interior and exterior lighting summary forms; we highly recommend that you review the other forms. If you are not required to submit plans, you must complete the summary forms to be reviewed by the electrical inspector in the field.