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In this Newsletter:
- Upcoming Webinars
- Join Us In-Person: TECCC Pre-Workshop Meeting
- SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop: Early Bird Registration prices end 7/31!
- New SPEER Member
- Noteworthy
- What We're Reading
- In Case You Haven't Heard the News
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Integrated Building Systems: Advancing Design, Air Quality, and Performance
Buildings have evolved from simple shelters to complex systems requiring integration of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainability goals. This session outlines the progression of building design and highlights the growing role of indoor air quality programs. It will present a practical methodology for managing design, installation, testing, and operations in today’s increasingly interconnected building environment.
Condensed Learning Objectives:
- Outline the evolution of building design and usage, highlighting key historical changes and their ongoing influence.
- Explain the drivers behind energy conservation and indoor air quality programs, including occupant needs, contaminants, and control strategies.
- Describe an effective methodology for managing design, construction, performance verification, and operation in today’s complex building systems.
Speaker:
- Gerald J. Kettler, PE, CCP, CIAQM, TBE, BEAP, REM, CEM – Managing Principal, CEO, LEED Fellow, Facility Performance Associates
When: July 17 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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From the Field: Real-World Compliance and Enforcement Trends in the New IECC
This session delivers a boots-on-the-ground perspective of how the 2021 and 2024 IECC are playing out in the field. We’ll explore what code officials, energy inspectors, and third-party verifiers are seeing during inspections—where compliance is working, where it’s not, and why. Expect practical insights on the most commonly missed requirements, how builders are responding, and strategies jurisdictions are using to improve consistency, coordination, and enforcement. Whether you’re enforcing the code or preparing for it, this is the real talk you need.
Three Lessons Learned:
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Common Violations Stem from Documentation Gaps, Not Just Install Mistakes: Builders often fail to submit HVAC designs, duct leakage test results, and ventilation documentation, which makes enforcement difficult—even if the installation is adequate.
- Third-Party Coordination is Critical but Often Overlooked: Cities relying on third-party energy verifiers need clear communication and defined roles between verifiers, inspectors, and code officials to prevent missed steps in the field.
- Training and Field Resources Make or Break Compliance: Jurisdictions that invested in inspector training, updated checklists, and clear plan review protocols saw far better compliance and fewer failures during final inspections.
When: July 22 @ 10:30 am - 11:30 am
| | GBRC Webinar: Residential HVAC Training for HVAC Professionals, Energy Raters, and Building Inspectors | | |
Hosted by: Green Building Resource Center (GBRC) & SPEER!
This free online training will focus on:
- Improving indoor air quality
- Increasing system efficiency
- Best practices for HVAC system design and duct installation
Designed for HVAC professionals, energy raters, and inspectors, this session offers practical guidance on ensuring residential HVAC systems meet performance and code expectations.
CEUs:
Participants will earn .01 ICC Preferred Provider CEUs, provided by the City of Houston.
When: July 24, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
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Join Us In-Person – TECCC Pre-Workshop Meeting | |
Date: September 18, 2025 at 10:00 am
Location: AT&T Hotel and Conference Center
We’re hosting an in-person Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative (TECCC) meeting just ahead of SPEER's Industry + Policy Workshop this September!
This session will provide timely updates on Texas and SECO’s progress toward adopting the next version of the IECC, and we’ll discuss key energy efficiency bills passed during the latest 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.
| | SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop 2025: Early Bird Registration Prices End 7/31! | | |
Take advantage of discounted Early Bird Registration while you can! 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. Don't miss Thursday's panel, 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
- Michael Burch, Application Engineer, Aeroseal
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!
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SPEER is excited to welcome our newest member, Knauf Insulation!
We are thrilled to have them on board as we continue our mission to advance energy efficiency in Texas and Oklahoma. Learn more about SPEER membership here.
| | Updated Technical Codes Now in Effect in Austin | | |
Recently amended technical code requirements are now in effect for new and existing buildings in Austin. Beginning July 10, new applications for building plan review and permits must follow the amended codes.
The Austin City Council voted in April to revise 10 sets of technical standards that regulate building design, construction, and maintenance throughout the city. Besides addressing internationally accepted best practices for building safety, the codes also include local amendments addressing specific community priorities. Changes include new residential air conditioning requirements, single stairway provisions, expansion of the Wildland-Urban Interface area, new guidelines for energy efficiency and electric vehicle readiness, and fire safety additions for animal care facilities and lithium battery storage.
A recording and presentation materials from a recent stakeholder meeting explaining the changes are now available on the Building Technical Codes webpage. Updates to affected code interpretations will be posted as they become available.
If you have specific questions about the amended codes, contact via this email.
| | *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! | | |
Make Dew Point Your Friend for Humidity by Allison Bailes, Energy Vanguard:
With so many houses now using foam, this is a great article that explains why dew point is a better measure of moisture in the air than relative humidity (RH) when assessing comfort and humidity levels—both indoors and outdoors. While RH is commonly reported, it fluctuates with temperature and can be misleading. Dew point, on the other hand, is a direct measure of how much water vapor is in the air, making it a more stable and accurate indicator.
For example, RH might be high in the morning when temperatures are cool but drop significantly as the day warms, even though the actual moisture (dew point) remains unchanged. Knowing the dew point helps people make better decisions about comfort, HVAC control, and whether it’s a good time to open windows.
The article encourages readers to pay attention to dew point values (not just RH), and highlights that most people find indoor dew points between 55°F and 60°F to be comfortable. Dew points above 70°F typically feel oppressive.
| | 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! | | | | |
