Hub August 2025 Newsletter
Building Energy Hub August 2025 Newsletter
Greetings -
This month marks a special milestone: the Building Energy Hub’s two-year anniversary! Since launching in August 2023, the Hub has grown into a trusted resource for Illinois building professionals, offering tools, resources, and technical assistance to help you advance energy efficiency and decarbonization goals.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’re also looking ahead. The Hub continues to expand opportunities for learning, collaboration, and funding, ensuring that Illinois buildings are not just prepared for today’s standards but are leading the way toward a clean energy future.
Thank you for being part of this journey! we’re excited to keep building momentum with you.
Katie, Kindy, Matt, Rimjhim & Grace
The Hub Team
New Episode: The Building Energy Pod
In the most recent episode of The Building Energy Pod, Matt sat down with John Gay, president of architecture firm JAQ, to discuss his unique approach to design as a “rhythm architect,” drawing inspiration from jazz music for his designs. Tune in to hear his insights on the importance of adaptive reuse in sustainable architecture and the critical need for diversity in the architecture and engineering fields.
Want to join the conversation? Tune into the Hub's Discussion Forum to dive deeper into the themes explored in the most recent episode!
Contractor Corner
Selling Energy Training Workshop
Tuesday, September 9 | 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join ComEd for an interactive workshop designed to help contractors and service providers confidently sell residential/whole-home energy efficiency solutions. Whether you're an experienced professional or new to residential work, this training will provide practical strategies to strengthen your sales approach and grow your business.
This workshop includes:
- Live coaching on effective pitching and proposal strategy
- Guidance on tracking your net profit margins
- Tips to better connect with residential customers and increase project success
Why Attend: This session is ideal for contractors and service providers working in residential settings who want to improve their sales skills, build customer trust, and close more projects. Complimentary breakfast will be provided for attendees.
Getting to Zero Tech Forum
+ Limelight Celebration
Tickets are now on sale for Illinois Green Alliance's inaugural Getting to Zero Tech Form—a fresh, new take on their annual Summit! This novel format will feature a collection of fast-paced presentations by a diverse array of industry experts, showcasing cutting-edge advancements in building technology that drive sustainable and regenerative approaches to the design, construction and operation of the built environment. Tickets also include admission to our annual Limelight Celebration & Emerald Awards Ceremony later that evening!
New Study on Heat Pumps
Large multifamily buildings with central heating systems that burn fossil fuels are among the hardest to decarbonize, but window-mounted heat pumps now provide a lower-cost option than any previous technology, a new study finds. The report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recommends that, in most cases, building owners seeking to decarbonize should consider these heat pumps along with mini-split and central air-to-water heat pumps, with the best choice often based on building-specific characteristics.
Upcoming Hub Events
Finance Fridays: Energy Efficiency Housing Assistance Grants
August 29 @ 12PM
Join the Building Energy Hub for an overview of Illinois EPA's Energy Housing Assistance Energy Grants to learn how you can leverage these financial programs for your next project. These programs provide funding for energy efficiency assessments and upgrade projects at eligible properties serving residents receiving housing assistance.
Upcoming Partner Events
Advancing Local Climate Leadership Through a Community of Practice
Hosted by the Building Performance Partnership
September 25 @ 10AM
Join the Building Performance Partnership for a topical discussion about local action to scale building decarbonization in the U.S. This event will feature a snapshot of local building performance policy progress, and a moderated discussion of hub directors and leading real estate professionals covering the state of hub development, real-world success stories, and ways to continue scaling local hubs to increase building energy efficiency.
Powering Progress: Strategies for Efficient & Resilient Central Plants
Hosted by US Department of Energy
September 9 @ 10AM
Improving the resiliency and efficiency of central plants can present organizational, technological, financial, and implementational challenges. This webinar will showcase how Better Buildings Initiative partners have overcome these challenges by implementing novel retrofit solutions. In addition, this webinar will provide an overview of a new resource offering guidance for optimization upgrades, retrofits, or complete replacement of a central plant.
