SECO/TEES Provides Energy Code Training in McAllen

To keep Texas at the forefront of energy-efficient construction, the State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) recently sponsored free energy code training in McAllen, Texas. The event was organized by the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station’s Energy Systems Laboratory, and focused on the transition from the 2018 to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

This training aimed to help Texas builders, building officials, architects, and engineers. While these professionals are already well-versed in completely familiar with the updates to the IECC and International Residential Code (IRC).

Highlights of the Training Included:

• Introduction of the basic principles of the Code
• Discussion of the major differences between the previous editionof the Code and the 2021 Code
• Discussion of the alternate compliance path components of the Code, and
• An overview of the importance of compliance with the Code

To cater to different construction facets, the training was divided into two sessions: a morning meeting dedicated to commercial construction and an afternoon meeting for residential construction. These sessions were repeated over two consecutive days on October 10 & 11, 2023. Gratitude goes to Johnny Vasquez and the Libre Initiative office located at 6601 North 10th Street in McAllen, Texas, for generously offering space for this event.

This code training event was further bolstered by the support of additional sponsors like BUILT TO SAVE®, Magic Valley Electric Cooperative, AEP Texas, Rio Grande Valley Builders Association, and Materiales El Valle.

-TRAINING PARTICIPANTS-

The attendees, comprised of city building code officials, builders, and other professionals from the building industry, deserve praise. Their participation not only gives them a competitive edge but also demonstrates their dedication to enhancing their services. Their presence ensures that they are updated with the latest building code regulations, confirming compliance and, more importantly, gaining valuable knowledge which will be of major benefit to their customers.

William S. “Stan” Folsom, LEED AP, Executive Director – Systemhause, LLC., in Plano, Texas, known for his expertise in sustainable building, presented the Residential Energy Code Training Session. His company is certified and recognized by public and private sector regulatory organizations as a leader in sustainable building. Meanwhile, the Commercial Energy Code Training Session provided insights from Lisa Brown, the proprietor of City Code Girl Consulting and Training, LLC, a firm renowned for providing Building, Fire, and Energy Code consultancy and training in Houston and nearby areas. With a work history of almost 20 years in management in the City of Houston and Baytown Building departments, she can relate to and understand both sides of the permitting desk.

We offer a special thanks from our building industry community to Angie Rowell, Program Specialist II, Energy Systems Laboratory in College Station, Texas, for coordinating and making possible this SECO-funded code training event.