Texas is adopting new energy codes and every municipality must update their codes accordingly.  This affects architects, engineers, contractors and manufacturers throughout the state. 

 ASHRAE Houston Chapter’s first meeting of 2016/17 provides participants an explanation of the energy codes adopted by the state and how municipalities in attainment and non-attainment zones must respond.  The objective of the presentation is to educate designers about what energy code applies throughout the state.  Fred Yebra from the State Energy Conservation Office is providing the state energy code adoption overview. 

 The updated Texas energy code compelled the City of Houston (COH) to adopting a new energy code in the fall of 2016.  The Construction Industry Council is preparing the COH energy code amendments.  Keith Reihl, Energy Code CIC Chair is providing an overview and status of the amendments.  Keith is explaining the amendment process and giving insight into how the CIC is dealing with contentious issues like air side economizers.

 Bruce Flaniken, ASHRAE CIC Delegate and Mechanical Code Chair is taking a few minutes to explain the codes adopted by the COH in February 2016 and insight into upcoming changes.

 Time is being allotted at the end of the session to allow participants to ask questions.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to get answers from the key participants in the code changes that impact your designs.

About the Speaker:

 Fred Yebra, PE, MBA

State Energy Conservation Office

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

As a Licensed Professional Engineer, Fred is responsible for senior-level energy and water efficiency project management and related oversight work. Responsibilities include planning, organizing and executing technical engineering projects, developing plans and specifications, reviewing technical design work and supervising the work of others. Previously as Director of Austin Energy’s Demand Side Management Services, Fred directed the operations of all residential and commercial energy efficiency programs as well as the utility’s solar incentive programs. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, Arizona.

Keith Reihl P.E.

COH Energy Code Committee Chair

Keith is a Sustainable Engineer passionate about energy efficiency.  He currently works for Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating as a Regional Sales Manager.  He has been in the MEP industry for over 25 years in Houston.  He provided Energy Efficiency services, Energy Auditing, Energy Star Certification, LEED Consulting and Commissioning for existing buildings, new and renovation projects and has been responsible for overseeing the design of MEP systems. Mr. Reihl has extensive experience in commercial, Office, higher education, K-12, residential, data centers, retail, restaurants, high-tech and airport projects.  He has managed and engineered literally hundreds of projects throughout the United States. 

In addition to having served as the Vice Chair for the ASHRAE Grassroots Government Activities Committee, past Regional Vice Chair for Chapter Technology Transfer and Past President for The Houston Chapter of ASHRAE.  Keith is also currently past chair of and a board member for the Southwest Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource (SPEER) and Vice President for Construction Industry Council.  Keith is the past Texas Gulf Coast Regional Representative to the USGBC South Regional Committee and served as Chair.  Locally, he has served as Chair, Treasurer and Branch Liaison of the Houston-Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the USGBC and is the Past Chair of the Energy Summit along with serving on the board for 5 years.  He also has served on the executive committee of Gulf Coast Green, the AIA COTE Regional Green Event. He is also chair of the Energy Code committee for the City of Houston and on its Mechanical Code and Recycling Committees. Keith holds many credentials in the industry including recently attaining the new ASHRAE High-performance Building Design Professional designation. He is a LEED^TM Accredited Professional since 2004 by the United States Green Building Council and has an EBOM specialty.  Keith is an active and avid fundraiser and educator of sustainable building initiatives throughout the state. He holds a bachelor degree in Architectural Engineering from Kansas State and an MBA from the University of Houston.