Hub May 2026 Newsletter
In this month's issue:
- ComEd Incentives for Energy Savings Projects with SEM
- New Resources: Hydronic Heat & Air Sealing Tech Primers
- New on the Podcast: Patty Lloyd & Claudia Rodriguez
- Upcoming Events: Illinois Energy Efficiency Showcase
- Partner Events: Strategic Energy Management Collaborative & More!
Access ComEd Incentives for Energy Savings Projects with SEM
Take your energy savings to the next level with ComEd Strategic Energy Management (SEM), a program that helps industrial, commercial, and public sector organizations reduce energy costs without major investments in equipment or time. Participants benefit through:
- Lower energy bills driven by operational and behavioral improvements
- Incentives, including up to $0.08 per kWh saved in the first year
- Workshops and trainings tailored to industry needs
- Peer learning opportunities that share best practices and real‑world strategies
Learn more at the link below or email BusinessEE@comed.com for more details.
New Technology Primers
Hydronic Heat Upgrade: Hydronic heating systems are common in large multifamily, hotel, and commercial buildings. A targeted optimization of boiler equipment, distribution pumps, and controls can reduce energy use, lower utility costs, and deliver consistent, comfortable heat throughout the building.
Air Sealing at Room Air Conditioners: Window, sleeve, and PTAC units all create gaps in the building envelope that let in drafts, noise, moisture, and pests — even when the AC isn't running. Sealing these units and establishing a simple seasonal maintenance policy is one of the lowest-cost improvements available, with direct benefits to indoor air quality, energy costs, and resident comfort.
New on The Building Energy Pod
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of sustainable affordable housing with Claudia Rodriguez, Vice President of Design and Construction at Preservation of Affordable Housing. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing all-electric buildings in urban settings, highlighting strategies for energy and water efficiency, such as low-flow fixtures and envelope improvements.
Patty Lloyd, the Director of Sustainability at Leopardo Construction joined us to share her expertise on the evolving landscape of green building, emphasizing the importance of leadership and collaboration in driving sustainable practices. We explored the latest developments in LEED v5 standards and discussed how these changes are shaping the industry locally and globally.
Upcoming Hub Events
Illinois Energy Efficiency Showcase
Thursday, June 19 @ 2:00 PM
Join us for our first-ever Illinois Energy Efficiency Showcase—a new half-day conference where you'll gain the insights, connections, and tools you'll need to take your next efficiency or decarbonization project to the next level. This event brings together decision-makers from government, housing, utilities, and the private sector to highlight success stories of buildings that have completed recent retrofit and decarbonization initiatives—including commercial, multifamily, and affordable housing projects.
Upcoming Partner Events
SEM Collaborative Midwest Chapter: Building Creative Solutions Together
Hosted by Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
June 2 @ 12:00 PM
Strategic energy management (SEM) is one of the most effective ways for businesses to save energy and cut costs. Across the Midwest, we see a unique set of challenges, from regulatory ecosystems to climate conditions, and a plethora of creative solutions. This webinar offers the opportunity to learn more about the new Midwest chapter of the Strategic Energy Management Collaborative (SEMC).
In-Person 2026 Stretch Energy Code Technical Training
Hosted by Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
June 4 @ 9:00 AM
Join our partners at MEEA for an in-person deep dive into the 2026 Stretch Energy Code. We will go into detail about the requirements for the upcoming code. This session is designed specifically for building professionals who need to know the "how" and "why" of compliance. We’re going beyond the basics to look at both the residential and commercial sectors.
Measure What Matters: Advancing Human-Centered Impacts in the Clean Energy Workforce
Hosted by Illinois Green Alliance
June 9 @ 12:00 PM
Join Illinois Green Alliance for a virtual education session that examines how to evaluate clean energy and workforce programs using outcome-based metrics that reflect real impacts on comfort, affordability, health, and access to opportunity.
