Adoption and enforcement of new energy codes can be difficult for everyone involved in the industry: builders, contractors, plan reviewers, and inspectors. SPEER’s goal is to make this transition as easy as possible by making sure everyone understands what the code says, what it means, and what compliance looks like.
To see SPEER’s current training schedule go to our Events Calendar. Use the “Ask our Experts” button to request a specific training, either on-site or via webinar.
SPEER Training:
In-Person Code Presentations
If you have a group in Texas or Oklahoma that would benefit from an in-person energy codes presentation, SPEER can come to your location and conduct an energy code presentation at no cost to you.
To schedule an in-person energy code training for your group, click the “Ask Our Experts” button above.
SPEER Hosts “Speakers’ Bureau” Webinars:
SPEER’s Speakers’ Bureau is a group of industry subject matter experts who provide presentations on topics in their areas of expertise. Every two weeks, SPEER hosts a Speakers’ Bureau webinar on a relevant energy codes topic. Past webinar topics have included duct sealing, envelope sealing, and quality insulation installation among many others.
Go to the SPEER Events Calendar to see the schedule of upcoming Speakers’ Bureau webinars.
Energy Code Compliance Guides:
The Energy Code Compliance Guides are two-page guides to the main requirements of the energy code by state and climate zone. Guides are available for the 2015 IECC/IRC residential energy provisions.
| Texas | Oklahoma |
| 2015 IECC Compliance Guide for Homes in Texas | 2015 IECC Compliance Guide for Homes in Oklahoma |
Fact Sheets:
As part of SPEER’s ongoing commitment to providing the best possible information about energy code compliance in Texas and Oklahoma, SPEER develops and publishes factsheets on energy code topics. If you have suggestions for additional topics contact us by using the Ask Our Experts button above.
Fact Sheet: Lighting Requirements
Fact Sheet: HVAC System Duct Sealing and Testing
Fact Sheet: Envelope Sealing and Air Leakage
Fact Sheet: Insulation R-value and Installation Quality
Residential Inspection High Impact Checklist
Residential Plan Review High Impact Checklist
SPEER Contributes to Home Energy Rating Variability Study
HERS Raters often provide third-party verification services for minimum and above-code programs. In recognition of this trend, the U.S. Department of Energy commissioned a study exploring the consistency and replicability of the HERS system, and the impact of HERS Raters assuming a greater role in energy code compliance.
Study Highlights:
- Data was collected by SPEER and the other five Regional Energy Efficiency Organizations (REEO) under direction of the U.S. Department of Energy
- The Study was designed to assess variation in ratings for new houses, sampling homes in each REEO region for a total of eleven homes in geographically dispersed locations across the U.S.
- National average variance in rating scores for individual homes was 13 points.
- Widespread inconsistencies were noted in the documentation of critical energy efficiency measures.
Texas A&M Energy Systems Laboratory:
The Texas A&M Energy Systems Laboratory evaluates local amendments to the state energy code for compliance with Texas state law, reports on the impacts of statewide energy codes and provides builder self-certification forms for homes built in unincorporated areas of Texas for builders and raters. Access these forms here.
Energy Code Compliance Software:
There are a number of software tools that can assist with energy code compliance. Some, such as RESCheck and COMCheck are free and can be used by anyone. Others like REMRate and EnergyGauge are proprietary and must be purchased.
Texas State Energy Conservation Office – SECO is the state agency responsible for implementation of the energy code in Texas; their website offers a number of valuable resources and links.
International Code Council Energy Code Certification is required by state law in Texas for all inspectors and plan reviewers including third-party inspectors who participate in code enforcement. SPEER is an ICC preferred provider for CEU’s which are needed to keep this certification active. Free courses and training opportunities are provided by SPEER at no charge, through in-person or webinar presentations.
ISO – The Insurance Services Office (ISO) is a leading source of information about property/casualty insurance risk, and support the adoption of current building codes. They assess community’s codes and enforcement practices, and their ratings impact the local cost of commercial and personal lines of insurance. The assessments place special emphasis on mitigation of losses from natural hazards. To maintain the highest rating, jurisdictions must adopt and enforce the most recently published codes.
ISO published its Building Codes Assessment Report for 2019. This report contains valuable information about the state of building code adoption in Texas and Oklahoma and the impact of delayed code adoption and lax code enforcement on hazard insurance rates.
Air Conditioning Contractors of America
SPEER member, Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), provides free resources for code officials who need to increase their understanding of residential HVAC design tools like Manuals J, D and S. Their brochures are printable and offer a description of the various ACCA manuals and checklists for plans examiners to use.
Manual J Verification | Manual D Verification | Manual S Verification
ACCA has an agreement in place with ICC so that Governmental Members can apply for free membership in ACCA. ACCA members get reduced rates on training and other resources sold by ACCA.
Videos:
Ventilation Video developed by Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) and the University of Washington, applies to all climate zones.
Insulation Video Series provided by North American Insulation Manufacturers’ Association (NAIMA). The NAIMA Series covers:
- Pre-insulation inspection, air-sealing evaluation.
- What a good insulation installation looks like.
- What to look for in an insulation inspection.
These videos demonstrate best practices in installing batt insulation in homes.
Observations of Insulation Products in Flood Damaged Homes: Hurricane Harvey Report
Following Hurricane Harvey in 2017 SPEER conducted a field analysis to collect and analyze data on the condition of various types of insulation in flood-damaged homes. The findings raise questions about our understanding of the water wicking properties of insulation products and current recommendations for building in flood-prone areas. This information will provide valuable insight when planning future research on this topic or developing recommendations to minimize damage to buildings from flooding. Flooding and the impact of building products on remediation is an important topic that needs more research. While SPEER hopes that no one is ever subject to the devastation or a disaster like Hurricane Harvey again, we are prepared to undertake similar research efforts in the future if the need arises and welcome partners in those projects. To read SPEER’s report on the findings go here.
Disaster Remediation Resources for Contractors and Builders:
Hiring a Disaster Remediation Contractor
Homes in Flood Hazard Zones
Rebuilding After a Disaster
When is a Permit Required?