Energy Codes Edition: December News

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What's new this month:

Upcoming Webinars/Events
Final Call: SPEER's FREE Spring 2026 BOC Course!
SECO Seeks Input on High-Performance Building Standards
Noteworthy
What We're Reading
SPEER Resources & Webinar Archive

Upcoming Webinars/Events

2024 IECC R405 Performance Path – What’s New, What’s Required, and How to Enforce It

January 20 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Join us for a focused training on the Simulated Building Performance Path found in Section R405 of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code. This session explains how proposed home designs are modeled and compared to the Standard Reference Design, highlights major changes from previous code editions, and clarifies which building features can—and cannot—be traded off through performance modeling. We will cover updated HVAC and ventilation requirements, infiltration limits, renewable energy constraints, and documentation expectations for plan reviewers and inspectors. Texas-specific adoption considerations will also be discussed to help ensure consistent and effective enforcement.

CELC Virtual Workshop: Navigating SECO Energy Reporting

January 22 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Join us for a comprehensive virtual workshop designed to demystify energy reporting regulations in Texas. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the intricacies of energy reporting with confidence.

Speaker: Shaun Auckland, Senior Manager of Government and Community Engagement, SPEER

TRACS 2026 Summit: Meeting the Moment - Shaping Tomorrow Together

March 1-3, 2026 @ St. Edward's University

Join us March 1-3, 2026 at St. Edward's University in Austin for the 12th Annual TRACS Summit! Connect with sustainability leaders across Texas higher education, learn evidence-based practices, and drive meaningful change on your campus.

What to Expect: Interactive sessions on energy efficiency, climate resilience, and building a culture of sustainability. Network with students, faculty, and staff committed to environmental preservation, economic development, and social equity.

Get Involved:

Submit proposals by January 16, 2026
Register now (early bird rates end January 30)
Explore sponsorship opportunities

Registration: Students $20 | Faculty/Staff/Others $175

Learn more and register here!

Together, let's turn "What If?" into "What's Next?"

Final Call: SPEER's FREE Spring 2026 Building Operator Certification (BOC) Course!

As a subrecipient of the Building Training and Assessment Center (BTAC) grant, SPEER is able to offer our BOC training and certification program for maintenance and operations personnel free of charge! A required $150 deposit will be reimbursed upon the successful completion of the course.

Our Spring 2026 Course will run from February 10th - May 21st. Equip yourself with energy-saving operational strategies and enable your building to become more efficient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly.

Registration is open and availability is limited, so save your spot now.
Learn more about the classes offered and material covered in Level I here.
For all class dates, view our course syllabus.

Noteworthy

Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) Seeks Input Re: Adoption of a High-Performance Standard for State-Funded Buildings and University Buildings

The State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) is requesting feedback from higher education facility managers, state agency facility managers, and industry stakeholders with expertise in high-performance building design, construction, and related services. Areas of interest include energy efficiency, water conservation, low-impact site development, and sustainable landscape design.

This RFI applies to state-funded buildings and university facilities, including new construction, major renovations, and expansions. These projects represent significant investments in Texas infrastructure, and adopting the right standards ensures long-term energy savings, improved indoor air quality, and sustainable resource use.

Your input will help SECO determine whether the IgCC-2024 meets the requirements outlined in Section 447.004(b-1) of the Texas Government Code and whether ASHRAE 90.1-2022 should become the new energy efficiency performance standard.

For full details and requirements for responding to this Request for Information (RFI), head here.

Comments Deadline: January 5, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. CT

Free Training Alert: "Sustainability 101" is Live!

SPEER just launched our first on-demand training module! "Sustainability 101" covers the fundamentals in just 30 minutes—and you'll earn 0.05 CEU credits for free. Don't miss this chance to boost your skills on your schedule!

To enroll, head here and sign up using the code SPEER101. You will then receive an email with instructions for logging in and getting started.

Coming soon: We will also be launching additional training modules focused on Energy Codes Updates and Changes in Texas & Air Quality and Energy Efficiency. Stay tuned for more!

When: Dec 15th – 16th

Where: City of Denton for 2024 IECC Residential and Commercial training

*Interested in SPEER bringing in-field training to you or learning about the 2021 IECC changes, mechanical ventilation training, and HVAC best practices?

What We're Reading

Buried Ducts in Humid Climates WITHOUT Condensation – by Allison Bailes (Energy Vanguard)

Though we may not see too many of these in Texas, buried ducts have historically been risky in hot, humid climates because cold duct surfaces can drop below the dew point and cause condensation. New research shows that condensation can be prevented when ducts with standard R-8 insulation are placed in an unvented attic equipped with vapor diffusion portsand supplied with a small amount of conditioned air.

This approach keeps attic humidity and temperatures stable enough to avoid moisture problems without requiring high-R insulation or dehumidifiers. As a result, buried ducts are now a viable, code-recognized strategy for improving HVAC efficiency in humid regions.

SPEER Resources & Webinar Archive

In Case You Missed It!

Did you miss our recent webinar, 2024 IECC Residential: Duct Systems & Duct Testing—What Changed and How to Comply?

Join us for an in-depth look at the 2024 IECC residential duct system requirements. This session breaks down the latest code changes—covering duct location, insulation, leakage testing thresholds, and new documentation standards. We’ll walk through Section R403.3 step by step, highlighting the most significant updates, exceptions, and testing protocols.

Check out all the resources we have on our website, including a link to our YouTube page with hours of video training content!

www.eepartnership.org