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In this Newsletter:
- Upcoming Webinars
- Save These Dates!
- SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop: Agenda Live!
- Noteworthy
- What We're Reading
- In Case You Haven't Heard the News
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A2L Refrigerants & the 2025 HVAC Transition - What Building Officials Need to Know
New Refrigerants, New Rules — Are You Ready?
Join us for a free, one-hour webinar designed specifically for building officials, inspectors, and code enforcement professionals preparing for the 2025 transition to A2 and A2L refrigerants in residential and commercial HVAC systems.
With the EPA phasing down high-GWP refrigerants like R-410A starting January 1, 2025, and manufacturers rolling out equipment charged with mildly flammable A2L refrigerants like R-32 and R-454B, it’s critical to understand what this means for plan review, installation inspections, and code compliance.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why the refrigerant transition is happening – and what the AIM Act requires
- How A2L refrigerants differ from A1’s (like R-410A) in safety, performance, and risk
- Code changes, charge limits, and system placement requirements under the IMC and IRC
- What to look for during inspections: equipment labeling, ventilation, leak detection, and training
When: June 24 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
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Energy Efficiency Made Easy - SECO Resources for Texas
Looking to boost energy efficiency while saving money for your public facility? Join us for an informative and engaging webinar featuring the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO), where you’ll discover valuable funding opportunities and expert resources designed to support energy-smart decisions in Texas communities.
This session will take a deep dive into SECO’s flagship Texas LoanSTAR (Saving Taxes and Resources) Revolving Loan Program, which offers financing for energy-related retrofit projects across public school districts, colleges, universities, and local governments. You’ll learn how to access this funding and make meaningful upgrades to your facilities.
Whether you’re a city official, school administrator, or facilities manager, this webinar will equip you with the tools and contacts to take the next step in your energy efficiency journey. This webinar is eligible for ICC Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Understand the Texas LoanSTAR Revolving Loan Program and its funding opportunities for public entities.
- Identify SECO’s available technical assistance and energy education resources.
- Explore upcoming SECO programs that support energy efficiency and cost savings across Texas.
When: June 26 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
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Understanding Stone Wool in Interior and Exterior Applications: Solutions for Thermal, Fire, and Sound Control
Join us for an in-depth exploration of stone wool (mineral wool) insulation—an innovative material delivering superior thermal performance, fire resistance, moisture control, and acoustic benefits. As energy codes and performance expectations rise, stone wool is being used more strategically across both interior and exterior assemblies. This session will provide valuable insights for architects, specifiers, engineers, contractors, and sustainability professionals.
What You’ll Learn:
· Understand Stone Wool Basics: Learn how stone wool is made, how it differs from fiberglass and foam, and what makes it a high-performance insulation material.
· Explore Code-Compliant Applications: Discover how stone wool aligns with IBC Chapter 26 updates and NFPA 285 fire testing requirements for modern assemblies.
· Design for Performance: See how stone wool improves thermal efficiency, enhances sound control, and contributes to sustainable building practices across commercial and roofing applications.
Credits: 1 ICC CEU/1 AIA/CES Learning Unit (HSW and SD) 1 GBCI CE Hour
When: July 1st, 2025, 10:30 AM Central Time
| | SPEER's 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop: Agenda Live! | | |
Registration is open and the agenda is live – save your spot now and join us at SPEER’s 2025 Industry + Policy Workshop, September 18-19 at the AT&T Hotel & Conference Center in Austin.
We have a fantastic agenda for 2025 packed with engaging and informative sessions. Make sure to join us for Beyond Code: Why Builders choose to Build Above the Minimum Energy Code Requirements:
The future of energy efficiency lies in integration. This panel brings together thought leaders working at the intersection of Building Performance Standards (BPS), evolving energy codes, and the broader movement toward smarter, more connected buildings. We’ll explore why builders are choosing to exceed the minimum energy code requirements by adopting BPS such as Energy Star, LEED, and NGBS. Hear from industry experts as they discuss the benefits of building to these higher standards, including cost savings, increased market demand, and enhanced sustainability. We’ll dive into how BPS programs contribute to energy-efficient, resilient homes that meet growing consumer expectations and help builders stay ahead of regulatory changes. Discover the value these programs bring to both builders and homeowners, and why building “above” code is a smart choice for the future.
Speakers:
- Dana Bartolomei, Senior Manager of Community Development, ICF
- Lindsay Reynolds, FTD (For the Duration) Homes
2024 Recap:
If you need a refresher on last year's fantastic event, check out our video recap from the 2024 Industry + Policy Workshop. While last year was a huge success, we are excited to set the bar even higher this year in a bigger venue.
Register today:
**Early bird pricing closes July 31st. Take advantage of our discounted hotel block and register today!
| | New SPEER Video Series: "Board Buzz" ft. Jasmine King-Bush | | |
Just released: the first edition of SPEER's "Board Buzz" video series, featuring 2025 Board President Jasmine King-Bush.
Join her and SPEER CEO Todd McAlister as they chat about energy efficiency, future plans for SPEER, favorite movies, and a bit of everything in between.
Head over to our YouTube channel to see even more SPEER video content!
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Where I'm Headed:
When: June 18th
Where: Potential OUBCC meeting in Oklahoma City - Open to the Public
When: June 19th
Where: Lunch-n-Learn for BSB Design Team / Dallas Location
When: July 8th
Where: Potential OUBCC meeting in Oklahoma City - Open to the Public
When: July 18th
Where: AIBD Central Oklahoma Chapter meeting in Oklahoma City
| | *Interested in SPEER bringing in-field training to you or learning about the 2021 IECC changes, mechanical ventilation training, and HVAC best practices? Contact us! | | |
Blower Doors and Body Mass Index - Energy Vanguard
I never thought of blower testing this way!
In the article, Dr. Allison Bailes explains how blower door tests assess a home's airtightness by creating a pressure difference and measuring the airflow needed to maintain it. This measurement, typically at 50 pascals, indicates the volume of air leakage but doesn't account for the size of the house. To provide a more meaningful comparison, Bailes introduces the concept of normalizing the leakage rate to the building's size, akin to how Body Mass Index (BMI) relates weight to height. This analogy emphasizes the importance of considering both the absolute leakage and the home's dimensions to evaluate energy efficiency and performance accurately.
| | In Case you Haven’t Heard the News | | |
Introducing the Home Energy Rating Systems Council (HERSC)
We’re excited to introduce the Home Energy Rating Systems Council (HERSC), a new nonprofit trade association supporting residential energy professionals, raters, verifiers, auditors, and energy efficiency advocates. HERSC is dedicated to promoting the integrity of energy rating services by advancing ANSI/ISO-aligned standards, fostering professional development, and advocating for policies that support a more energy-efficient housing market.
I'm proud to serve on the HERSC Board as a Member-at-Large, working alongside industry leaders to strengthen quality assurance, elevate best practices, and support those advancing energy efficiency in residential construction.
To learn more about HERSC and explore membership opportunities, head here.
| | Check out all the resources we have on our website, including a link to our YouTube page with hours of video training content! | | | | |
