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In this Newsletter:


  • Upcoming Webinars & Previous Webinars
  • Join SPEER! 18-month Special
  • Register Now: SPEER's Industry & Policy Workshop - Sept. 19-20
  • DOE's Smarter Small Buildings Campaign
  • The Benefits of Insulated Headers in Residential Construction
  • Where I'm Headed/Where I've Been
  • What We're Reading

Upcoming Webinars

How to Achieve Market Transformation Painlessly and Effectively


Achieving market transformation is a key objective of the HER and HEAR programs under the IRA and a key milestone to unlocking full funding. While it may seem like a monumental challenge, states that recognize the major barriers to market transformation can overcome these hurdles relatively painlessly and meet this goal. Join experts from Pearl Certification, NASEO and state energy offices as they identify the primary barriers to and solutions for achieving market transformation.


Moderator: Jordan Elliott, Pearl Certification



Panelists:

  • Robin LeBaron, Pearl Certification
  • Chad Kruse, Former Manager of the Office of Energy of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
  • Patrick Woodcock, Former Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and Former Director, Maine State Energy Office
  • Maddie Koewler, Program Director, NASEO


When: Monday June 24th @ 2:00 PM CST

Register Now

CELC Webinar: Building Operations, Workforce Training, and Navigating Federal Grant Requirements



Join us to learn more about the Building Operator Certification (BOC), a program addressing the need for maintenance staff training as new technologies enter the market. The field of building operations and facility management is evolving rapidly due to factors such as benchmarking, grid enhancing technologies (GETs) and a swiftly retiring workforce. Renowned for its comprehensive curriculum, BOC is an ideal choice for meeting various federal government grant training requirements in energy efficiency. BOC is the nation’s leading training and credentialing program for building engineers and maintenance personnel and is now aligned with an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - ISO 17024. Graduates make their buildings more comfortable, efficient, environmentally friendly, and save $10,000 annually in utility bills thanks to skills they master in classes.


Objectives: In this webinar, we will discuss the following:

  • Gain insights into the comprehensive curriculum of the BOC program.
  • Understand how BOC meets federal government grant training requirements in energy efficiency.
  • Review case studies and examples of how BOC graduates have improved building performance.


Speaker: Melanie L. Danuser, M.P.A., LEED Green Associate Director of Energy and Training

When: Thursday, July 11th @ 1:00 PM CST

Register Now

In Case You Missed It - Past Webinar Offerings

Building a Sustainable Future: Affordable Housing Innovations


Watch this recap and see how Levven's approach helps builders and trades reduce construction time and material costs. During the webinar we touched on innovative building techniques and sustainable practices to provide methods to minimize the ecological footprint of homes throughout their lifetime. Our presenter covered affordability solutions and discussed how making shelter more accessible can change lives and benefit society. This webinar provides valuable insights for builders, tradespeople, and anyone interested in the intersection of affordability and sustainability in the housing industry. Check it out on SPEER's YouTube channel and make a difference in the world by making essential shelter affordable and environmentally friendly!

Call for Speakers

SPEER is looking for individuals or organizations with a passion for our Energy Conservation Code. Are you interested in presenting on one of our webinars? Do you have a topic that is value for builders, inspectors, city officials, 3rd party raters? Contact us today!

SPEER Membership Drive

As a membership-driven organization, our pursuit of this mission is largely possible with the involvement of our 60+ current members. Membership dollars allow us to push forward in our commitment to expand energy efficiency in our territory and beyond, and to help create a more sustainable, healthy environment for all Texans and Oklahomans.


Special Membership Offer: Take advantage of our 18-month membership special available until 8/31, extending your benefits through 2025. Your participation and support are vital to advancing our mission and creating a sustainable future.


Why Join SPEER?

Membership Benefits:

  • Receive discounted rates for events & conferences.
  • Enjoy networking opportunities with industry leaders and peers.

Presentation Opportunities:

  • Highlight your organization and share your expertise in our webinars and panel discussions. Speaking opportunities are first offered to members.

Local Impact:

  • Engage in initiatives that reduce energy consumption and promote sustainability in your community.

Policy Advocacy:

  • Influence policy development to support and enhance energy efficiency.

Professional Development:

  • Access our upcoming on-demand energy courses specifically designed for local governments.


Join today!

Register Now! SPEER's Industry & Policy Workshop

Join SPEER’s Energy Code team on September 19th for our next in-person Texas Energy Code Compliance Collaborative from 10 am – 12 pm. Arrive early, and stay for lunch and mingling! We invite you to register and attend our two day Industry + Policy Workshop to follow. On day two we’ll discuss regional and national energy codes, successes, barriers, implementation and more. You can find a full agenda and lineup here.


This year's SPEER Industry + Policy Workshop will be held in Austin at the Archer Hotel on September 19-20th.  Join us in the Lone Star state for insightful discussions and presentations from energy experts and leaders focused on the most pressing energy issues in our region. Let’s create change and expand efficiency together. Head to our registration page to take advantage of the early bird special! Registration rates will increase 50% after July 31, 2024.

Announcing DOE's Smarter Small Buildings Campaign

The Smarter Small Buildings Campaign, led by Berkeley Lab with support from the Department of Energy, aims to boost the adoption of HVAC Rooftop Unit (RTU) controls in small to medium commercial buildings, moving from the current status quo to improved systems. Despite the array of RTU controls available that enhance energy efficiency, comfort, and grid-responsiveness, their market adoption is still limited. If you own or operate buildings with packaged rooftop HVAC units, the Campaign is offering complimentary technical assistance and recognition opportunities to help you improve control and monitoring for your rooftop units. These improvements have been shown to reduce energy costs by 10%-20% and improve comfort and maintenance practices. To get started, please complete the participant enrollment form. Or, to support this effort and adoption in your region, join as a partner.

 The Benefits of Insulated Headers in Residential Construction

In residential construction, insulated headers offer significant benefits for energy efficiency, comfort, and overall building performance. Headers, the structural elements above windows and doors, have traditionally been areas of thermal bridging, where heat easily transfers in and out of the building. Insulating these components can markedly improve the home’s thermal performance.


Enhanced Energy Efficiency


Reduction in Thermal Bridging:

- Minimized Heat Loss and Gain: Insulated headers reduce the amount of heat that escapes in the winter and enters in the summer, leading to lower energy consumption for heating and cooling.

- Consistent Insulation Layer: By insulating headers, the continuity of the home’s thermal envelope is maintained, preventing gaps in insulation coverage.


Improved Comfort


Stable Indoor Temperatures:

- Insulated headers contribute to a more consistent indoor temperature, enhancing overall comfort for occupants. This stability reduces drafts and cold spots near windows and doors, making living spaces more comfortable.


Better Moisture Control:

- Properly insulated headers help prevent condensation and moisture buildup, which can lead to mold growth and structural damage over time. This moisture control is critical for maintaining a healthy indoor environment.


Cost Savings


Lower Energy Bills:

- With improved energy efficiency, homeowners can expect lower utility bills. The reduction in heating and cooling demand directly translates into cost savings over the life of the home.


Increased Home Value:

- Energy-efficient homes are often more attractive to buyers. Insulated headers can be a selling point, indicating a well-constructed, energy-conscious property that promises long-term savings.


Environmental Impact


Reduced Carbon Footprint:

- By decreasing energy consumption, insulated headers contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This environmentally friendly choice supports broader efforts to combat climate change.


Sustainable Building Practices:

- Using insulated headers aligns with sustainable building practices, promoting the construction of homes that are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible.


Insulated headers are a valuable addition to residential construction, offering multiple benefits from enhanced energy efficiency and improved comfort to cost savings and reduced environmental impact. Incorporating insulated headers into new builds or renovations ensures a more sustainable, comfortable, and cost-effective home for the future.

Noteworthy

Where I'm Heading/Where I've Been:


When: Week of June 24th

Where: Several cities in West Texas. Meeting with various cities for discussion around energy code adoption and amendments


When: June 25th

Where: City of Amarillo: Speaking to City Council in favor of the adoption of the 2021 IECC


When: July 11th

Where: Alamo Area Council of Govts. (AACOG): Building Codes Roundtable


*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!

What We're Reading:



This article emphasizes the importance of control layers in building enclosures for managing heat, air, and moisture. It identifies four key control layers: liquid water, air, water vapor, and heat, with a focus on the significance of proper material selection and installation. The article highlights that while liquid water, air, and heat require constant control, the need for water vapor control varies, especially in moderate climates where drying potential is crucial. Understanding these control layers is essential for effective building design and construction.



For the full article: Going Deeper With Control Layers - Energy Vanguard

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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