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What's new this month:
- Upcoming Webinars/Events
- Good News From Washington
- Noteworthy
- What We're Reading
- SPEER Resources & Webinar Archive
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Webinar: 2024 IECC R405 Performance Path – What’s New, What’s Required, and How to Enforce It
January 20 (TODAY) @ 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.
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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
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Conference: AI Data Centers Power and Cooling Strategies 2026 - The Texas Edition
January 27-28
The Crowne Plaza Dallas (Downtown Dallas)
For Texas — and increasingly, multiple U.S. growth corridors — the simple reality is that the grid solutions alone are unlikely to support the load demand of the next generation of AI data centers. AI facilities are not just “bigger data centers.” The mechanical-electrical-thermal envelope has fundamentally changed. We’re talking hundreds of megawatts per site, delivered quickly, with power-density profiles the traditional grid model was never built to accommodate.
This is the first Texas-focused business conference dedicated entirely to the twin challenges that will define AI-scale data centers: securing reliable power and deploying next-generation cooling.
SPEER Members receive a 15% discount with the code SPEER15.
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Webinar: Using HomeBoost to Document Energy Improvements & Support IECC Chapter 5
February 10 @ 10:30 am
Join the HomeBoost owner and sales team for a practical webinar showing how building officials and energy verifiers can use the HomeBoost platform to document energy improvements in existing homes and support the intent of IECC Chapter 5 (Existing Buildings).
HomeBoost streamlines field data collection and reporting, making it easy to show how homes become more energy-efficient after upgrades such as air sealing, insulation, and HVAC improvements. The platform captures pre- and post-improvement conditions and generates clear, visual reports that support verification, compliance discussions, and homeowner communication.
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SPEER/CAPCOG Workshop – Master Your Energy Data:
Save Money & Support Clean Air
February 12 @ 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Where: 6800 Burleson Rd, Bldg. 310, Suite 165 (Pecan Room), Austin, TX, 78744
Join the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) and SPEER for an interactive workshop on managing energy data and understanding its connection to regional air quality. Whether you’re required to report energy use or simply want to reduce costs, you’ll gain valuable insights on utility consumption management, access helpful resources, and learn from real-world case studies. ICC credits available!
Space is limited. Please RSVP to secure your spot. For questions or dietary restrictions, contact Ramon Zarate at rzarate@capcog.org.
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Webinar: Understanding the 2024 IECC Energy Rating Index – Section R406
February 17 @ 10:30 am
The Energy Rating Index (ERI) in the 2024 IECC is often misunderstood, inconsistently enforced, or incorrectly treated as a program rather than a code compliance path. This one-hour technical webinar provides a clear, code-only breakdown of Section R406, with a focus on how building officials, plan reviewers, and inspectors should review, approve, and verify ERI compliance in the field.
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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:
Registration: Students $20 | Faculty/Staff/Others $175
Learn more and register here!
Together, let's turn "What If?" into "What's Next?"
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In-Person SPEER Energy Ambassador and TECCC Meeting
April 8
Hilton Garden Inn Austin - Round Rock
We’re hosting an in-person SPEER Energy Ambassador and Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative (TECCC) meeting this April!
This session will provide timely updates on Texas and SECO’s progress toward adopting the 2024 IECC, and we’ll discuss key energy efficiency bills that could have impact during the next legislative session. This is a valuable opportunity for stakeholders to connect, share insights, and help shape the direction of energy code implementation in Texas.
Your voice matters—come be part of the conversation and collaborate with peers and partners from across the state. Head here to register!
Learn more about all of our Energy Code Programs here.
| | | Good News From Washington: ENERGY STAR Fully Funded in FY 2026 Spending Package |
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Congress has taken an important step in protecting and strengthening one of the nation’s most effective energy-efficiency programs. A bipartisan appropriations package advanced by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 8 fully funds the ENERGY STAR program for fiscal year 2026, a major win for both the energy-efficiency community and consumers.
This development not only protects a critical efficiency program from being cut or privatized but also underscores the bipartisan recognition that ENERGY STAR delivers tangible savings and environmental benefits — reinforcing its role in advancing energy performance across the built environment.
Read the full article via USGBC.
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When: Jan 27th
Where: NCTCOG RCCC Meeting @ 9:30 AM
When: Feb 11th – 12th
Where: 2024 IECC Training for the City of Flower Mound
When: Feb 26th
Where: ARCXIS QAD Summit in Houston
When: Mar 17th – 20th
Where: San Antonio for the 2026 RESNET Conference
| *Interested in SPEER bringing in-field training to you or learning about the 2021 IECC changes, mechanical ventilation training, and HVAC best practices? |
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Source Control Comes First for Good IAQ – by Allison Bailes (Energy Vanguard)
When builders focus on airtight, energy-efficient homes, they often overlook a critical component of indoor air quality: how air moves through the home. Leaky ducts in new construction can allow construction dust, VOCs, and pollutants from garages, attics, or crawlspaces to circulate throughout the living space — undermining both comfort and health. Ensuring proper duct sealing and testing during construction isn’t just about energy efficiency; it’s a foundational step in controlling what’s in the air before it gets breathed in.
In his Energy Vanguard blog, building scientist Dr. Allison Bailes emphasizes that source control — eliminating or reducing pollutant sources — is the most effective first line of defense for indoor air quality. Rather than relying solely on ventilation or filtration, the smartest strategy starts with stopping contaminants at their origin.
The Bottom Line for Builders & Energy Pros:
Energy-efficient homes are an important goal, but efficiency alone doesn’t guarantee healthy air. When you prioritize source control and quality ductwork alongside ventilation and filtration, you protect occupant health from day one — and avoid costly fixes after construction is complete.
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| | SPEER Resources & Webinar Archive |
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In Case You Missed It!
Did you miss our recent webinar, 2024 IECC Commercial Mechanical Systems – What’s New in Section C403?
The 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) introduces several key updates to Commercial mechanical system requirements found in Section C403—and these changes will directly affect plan reviews, HVAC designs, and field inspections. Join us for a practical walkthrough of what’s new in C403 and how these updates will impact compliance and enforcement in your jurisdiction.
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Check out all the resources we have on our website, including a link to our YouTube page with hours of video training content! |
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