2025 Code Breaker: Single-family Overview of Energy Code Changes | Energy Code Ace

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.  As part of a CalSEED team, Nick is currently researching phase change material applications in HVAC systems.  Nick was elected to the Board of Directors of CABEC beginning in 2018.  He holds a BA in Economics from Princeton University and an MBA in Manufacturing from the University of Michigan.  He remodeled his own home in 2014 in a deep energy retrofit and has written and presented extensively on Net Zero buildings, high-performance walls, and energy efficient building.  Prior to starting Build Smart, he served as President of Merlex Stucco for 15 years, a $15 million Southern California stucco manufacturer.