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In this Newsletter:
- Upcoming Webinars
- ICYMI: Great Prerecorded Webinars
- Call for Speakers
- Save the Date: SPEER's Annual Industry + Policy Workshop - Sept. 19-20
- AESP/DOE Online Training Opportunity
- Where I'm Headed/Where I've Been
- What We're Reading
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SECO Grant Webinar: Empowering Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
SECO will provide reimbursable grants as part of the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) to support state organizations' energy efficiency, sustainability, and workforce development efforts. Over $30,000,000 in funding will be used for multiple programs to reduce carbon emissions in all sectors of the economy.
Public school districts, rural and community hospitals, and tribal governments can apply for funding to assist in lighting retrofit projects and solar/battery-powered storage system implementation. Additionally, Texas community colleges and technical schools will have the chance to expand their energy-efficiency certification programs by applying for funding to purchase equipment that will help bring new learning opportunities for their students.
Speaker: Kacy Wycoff with SECO
When: Thursday May 30th @ 1:00 PM
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Instant Solar Permitting with SolarAPP+
SolarAPP+ is an online tool created by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to produce code compliant residential solar permits instantaneously. SolarAPP+ reviews residential solar and storage applications for building, fire, and electrical code compliance, processes payments, and ultimately issues permits. Because of the extensive code compliance checks performed by SolarAPP+, the tool allows jurisdictions to ensure safe solar installation in their communities. SolarAPP+ can also be customized to be compatible with your existing permitting process. During this presentation, we will first go over an introduction of the tool and its benefits, as well as explaining the steps to adopt SolarAPP+ in your jurisdiction. Then, we will walk through a technical demonstration of an actual project within SolarAPP+, showcasing what contractors see when submitting for a SolarAPP+ permit. Ultimately, SolarAPP+ is meant to streamline the residential solar permitting process, which saves staff time and produces safe, code compliant solar project approvals instantaneously.
Speaker: Mark Rodriguez and Katie Nissen with SolarAPP+
When: Tuesday June 13th @ 10:30 AM, 1.5 hours
*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
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In Case You Missed It - Great Prerecorded Webinars | |
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The Benefits of Demand Controlled Recirculation Systems
For many newly built homes, the hot water delivery times at some fixtures are substantially longer than from homes built in the past, resulting in wasted water, energy, and frustrated occupants. Recirculation pumps can be incorporated into a hot water system to significantly reduce the time to tap and therefore achieve water savings. Too often though these pumps are left running excessively, which then causes the water heater to run longer to make up for distribution heat losses. The IECC now requires demand sensing controls for service water heating circulation pumps to regulate the runtime of the pump and help mitigate energy losses while preserving the usefulness of the pump. This session will cover the basics of on-demand hot water recirculation technology and the impact it has on building performance relative to other methods of hot water delivery. Check it out on SPEER's YouTube channel!
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SPEER is looking for others with a passion for our Energy Conservation Code and is open to hosting a webinar for you. | |
SPEER's Industry & Policy Workshop: September 19-20 | |
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*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! 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 encompassing:
- Consumer’s role in resiliency: shifting demand with energy efficient policies and residential demand response programs
- Heat pump research insights & a deep dive into estimated energy requirements (EER) and their impact on heat pump adoption
- Navigating DERs policy implementation and VPP expansion
- Overcoming skill gaps in local governments as they prepare their communities for a clean energy future and build resiliency
Head over to our registration page to save your spot and browse sponsorship opportunities! Interested in sponsoring our rooftop happy hour reception or providing attendees with a company-branded custom welcome gift? We got you covered. If caffeine is more your thing we invite you to sponsor a coffee and snack break. The SPEER team looks forward to seeing you in the fall!
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Demand-side solutions, including consumer-focused strategies such as residential weatherization and energy efficiency, are essential in addressing both severe weather events (which are costing the state billions of dollars) and rising electricity costs. Affordable, consumer-friendly solutions such as energy efficiency, demand response, and load shifting can help reduce load and create a more reliable grid.
As we focus on improving energy efficiency and utility efficiency programs in our state, the Public Utility Commission of Texas encourages the public & interested parties to provide written comments to Docket 56517: Reviewing Energy Efficiency Planning by noon on May 23. Please reach out to SPEER if you have questions.
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Keeping up with the Energy Code in Texas & Oklahoma | |
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SPEER is committed to assisting you with the adoption of and compliance to the energy code. Our goal is to reduce operating costs, protect air quality, and preserve resources. Did you know SPEER tracks and updates code adoption in local jurisdictions across Texas and Oklahoma? Energy codes are adopted statewide and establish a minimum or baseline for all building practices in Texas, and state law currently requires the following state energy codes for new buildings, or significant upgrades to existing buildings. You can find current adoption lists by city on our energy codes page:
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AESP/DOE Online Training Opportunity | |
AESP is helping you elevate your expertise with FLEX's premium quality online courses! Demand flexibility is the coordinated manipulation of energy consumption and production across grid devices on a massive scale while maintaining livability and comfort standards. Did you know AESP & the Department of Energy now offer free, online courses designed for energy efficiency leaders focused on exploring water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, battery storage, and EVSE? We need to maximize the value of flexible loads as both a grid asset and a customer asset! Expand your knowledge and learn more now. | |
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Where I'm Heading/Where I've Been:
When: May 18th
Where: Rio Grande Valley Builders Show – Multiple presentations around the 2021 IECC training, mechanical ventilation training, and HVAC best practices (including Manual J and S requirements for code compliance).
When: May 20th
Where: Office and in-field training for the Rio Grande Valley Builders Association in south Texas.
When: May 21st
Where: City of Alton, staff training on the 2021 IECC requirements and compliance forms required.
When: May 22nd
Where: City of Edinburg, training city staff on the changes of 2021 IECC and test prep for certification.
*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!
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What We're Reading:
This article explains the importance of correct airflow in air conditioning systems for optimal performance. The ideal airflow varies by climate: humid climates require slower air (300-350 cfm/ton) to enhance dehumidification, while dry climates need faster air (450-550 cfm/ton). The goal is to balance sensible and latent cooling loads without exceeding total capacity by more than 15-30%, depending on the system's compressor technology. Proper HVAC design, installation, and commissioning are crucial to achieving the correct airflow.
For the full article: What's the Correct Air Flow for an Air Conditioner? - Energy Vanguard
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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! | | | | |
