Mark your calendars!

Our second quarterly Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative (TECCC) meeting for 2023 is scheduled for this Friday, June 23rd. We’re excited to host speakers from the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) and Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) from Texas A&M University, who will provide an update on 2021 IECC training taking place across Texas this year.

Importantly, this meeting serves as a critical platform for all our stakeholders. We highly value your active participation, as it drives the evolution of our energy training and education. In this spirit, we’ll be facilitating a robust discussion on the current developments regarding the adoption and enforcement of the 2021 IECC. Your input is instrumental in steering these discussions and shaping future developments. Join us! We’d like to hear from you! In the meantime catch a recap of last quarter's recording on our YouTube page.

Understanding TABLE R402.4.1.1

This comprehensive presentation is centered around Table R402.4.1.1 of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), an important resource for understanding the insulation and fenestration requirements, as well as the sealing methodology for constructing energy-efficient buildings.

When: 11:00 AM Thursday, June 22nd 

Evaluating & Understanding Manual J and S Reports

Join us for a dive into the world of Manual J and S reports, which are now part of the standard review process for city plan reviewers. Our expert presenter, Alex Meaney, will guide us through the intricacies of these essential reports, highlighting key points of attention and potential areas of concern.

This webinar represents a unique chance for plan reviewers to elevate their knowledge and understanding of these critical tools. It’s designed to equip you with the necessary insights to evaluate HVAC system loads and sizing accurately, thereby facilitating well-informed permit decisions. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your permit department’s professional skillset, gain a more comprehensive understanding of Manual J and S reports, and ultimately ensure the accurate assessment of HVAC systems. Presenter: Alex Meaney with Mean HVAC

When: 11:00 AM Thursday, June 29th (1.5 hours) 

Code Requirements for HVAC? We’ve Been Doing this for 39 years (Rerun)

Sometimes all you need to know is how they did it in the past to do it right today. When it comes to HVAC installation, nothing could be further from the truth. “That is the way I’ve always done it” is not a good reason to keep doing it that way. Better thermal envelopes, known infiltration and duct leakage, more sophisticated equipment as well as a variety of other factors make it more important than ever to install code-compliant HVAC systems. Unfortunately, code-compliant HVAC is the exception rather than the rule. Code Officials must step up and demand properly designed and installed HVAC systems.  

*Note this is a re-run and originally aired in August of 2021. The presenter was Brett Dillion from the Dillion Group.

When: 11:30 AM Thursday, July 20th (1.5 hours) 

During this exciting training earlier this month, we engaged with builders, construction managers, building officials and others from Edmond as well as the surrounding cities. Members of the OUBCC and CIB of Oklahoma were also present as we focused on the 2018 and 2021 IECC and ENERGY STAR for Homes program. We thoroughly dissected the requirements of each program and highlighted their differences. A practical segment of the training involved a visual inspection of a pre-insulation (air sealing) and an insulated (predrywall) house. This exercise proved to be highly interactive, fostering conversations around Energy Code compliance. We also delineated the difference between a house seeking ENERGY STAR certification and a house simply meeting code requirements.

The training was well received, and the feedback was extremely positive. I'm looking forward to having a chance to visit Edmond and other cities in Oklahoma in the near future. If you are interested in scheduling an in-field training near you please reach out to me at rplumlee@eepartnership.org!

What We're Reading:

What to Consider When Choosing Insulation - Fine Homebuilding

Great article that gives a breakdown on the pros and cons of most insulation products on the market today. They used several criteria to profile each product including R-value, air permeability, vapor permeability, moisture tolerance, ease of installation, global-warming potential, cost, and toxicity. If you’re looking to insulate or just curious how each product stacks up, this is a must-read.