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Conference

2026 Hot Water & Hot Air Forums

March 24 - 26, 2026
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    Overview

    Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel

    Keeping homes and other buildings warm in winter and providing hot water represents more than half of U.S. buildings’ energy use. ACEEE’s Hot Water and Hot Air Forums showcase how efficiency reduces this energy use, and corresponding utility bills and peak electric loads. The Forums bring together equipment manufacturers, utility program managers, implementers, and researchers in an engaging, collaborative space to discuss strategies that work.

    By attending, you will learn about the latest technologies, their performance in the lab and under real-world conditions, and ways that utilities and policymakers are speeding their adoption. As heating air and water requires so much energy and is so intertwined with daily life, driving down costs and ensuring households have a positive experience with these technologies is crucial.

    We will highlight customer concerns as well as the voices of those who work directly with customers, such as installers. Attendees will benefit from opportunities to hear from industry leaders, connect with the whole community at multiple breaks and receptions, and see products and speak to manufacturers in person.

    Click here to see a list of organizations that participated in the 2025 Hot Water and Hot Air Forums.

    Registration
    Program at a Glance
    Program
    Accommodations
    Sponsor Prospectus

    Sponsors

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    Registration

    Registration for the Forums is open.

    Registration TypesRegistration Rates
    ➜ General AttendeesEarly Bird (by 1/19)Regular (by 2/20)Late (after 2/20)
    General Attendee | Hot Air Forum (March 24-25)$1,075$1,175$1,275
    General Attendee | Hot Water Forum (March 25-26)$1,075$1,175$1,275
    General Attendee | Both forums (March 24-26)$1,675$1,675$1,675
    ➜ Speakers & ModeratorsRegistration Rates
    Speaker/Moderator | Hot Air Forum (March 24-25)$1,025
    Speaker/Moderator | Hot Water Forum (March 25-26)$1,025
    Speaker/Moderator | Both forums (March 24-26)$1,575
    ➜ StudentsRegistration Rates
    Student | Hot Air Forum (March 24-25)$625
    Student | Hot Water Forum (March 25-26)$625
    Student | Both forums (March 24-26)$925
    *Students must include proof of enrollment or transcript.

    Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made before March 10, 2026 will be given a full refund less a $100 processing fee. Refunds will not be made for cancellations after this date except on a case-by-case basis.

     

    Program

    To view the full program, click here.

    To view the Program-at-a-Glance, click here.

     

    Additional Events

     

    Visit the Southwest Building Science Training Center – Monday, March 23 (2:00–4:00 p.m.)

    The SWBSTC has provided specialized technical training in weatherization and energy efficiency since 2004, with a focus on hands-on laboratory learning. The visit will include:

    • Tour of the specialized Building Science lab
    • Demonstrations of test procedures, including pressure diagnostics
    • Discussion and Q&A with SWBSTC Training Manager

    Sign up for the tour when you register. Cost: $50. Capacity: 15 attendees.

     

    Shameless Commerce – Wednesday, March 25 (5:30–7:00 p.m.)

    This “Shameless Commerce” event, in which participants pitch new products and services, is one of our most popular forum activities. In a rapid-fire format, each participant will have the opportunity to present a three-minute infomercial to the audience. Each pitch will be followed by brief audience Q&A. This event will be hosted alongside the Wednesday evening reception.

    Submit your pitch idea here. Applications are due Friday, February 27.

     

    Accommodations

    The 2026 Hot Water and Hot Air Forums will be held at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. 

    To take advantage of our group rate, book your room by Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

    If the dates you are booking are sold out within our room block, search for hotel availability via our trusted partner aRes Travel.

     

    Call for Presentations

    The deadline to submit presentations has passed.

    2026 Hot Water & Hot Air Forum Tracks

    Affordability

    • Reducing costs
    • Financing
    • Peak load and demand flexibility

    Policies and programs

    • Regional successes and roadmaps
    • Test methods and metrics
    • Electric rate design

    System design and installation

    • Consumer education
    • Installer training
    • Commercial hot water
    • Health and safety

    Technologies

    • Commercial and residential systems  
    • Plug-in, rooftop, and combi units
    • Refrigerant transition
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