The Florida Building Commission will meet concurrently with the Energy Technical Advisory Committee on September 4, 2026, at 10:00 AM via conference call/webinar.

The meeting will focus on reviewing energy compliance software for the Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 9th Edition (2026) and providing recommendations to the Commission regarding its approval.

Meeting: Florida Building Commission & Energy Technical Advisory Committee
Date: September 4, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Format: Conference Call/Webinar

The meeting agenda and additional information are available through the Florida Building Commission.

Meeting Agenda

More Information

The second 45-day comment period for proposed Glitch/Errata changes to the 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code is now underway. The Florida Building Commission has released the actions and outcomes from the Commission’s Code Administration Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings held August 18–21, 2026, for review and comment.

Comments are due by midnight on October 8, 2026. Members are encouraged to review the TAC actions and submit any comments or concerns directly to Florida Building Commission staff.

Review the TAC meeting reports, minutes, and proposed code changes:
Florida Building Code 2026 Code Development Process

Submit comments to:
Mo Madani, Technical Director
mo.madani@myfloridalicense.com
Deadline: October 8, 2026

As the 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code continues to roll out, SWFL PHCC is providing members with helpful resources to better understand key changes and how they may affect plumbing, mechanical, and energy-related work.

The four Analysis of Changes documents above cover:

• Residential Energy Conservation
• Plumbing
• ⚙️ Mechanical
• Commercial Energy Conservation

These resources were created and provided by Manatee County, and we appreciate their efforts to make them available to industry professionals.

The documents will also be available on the SWFL PHCC Members Only page for future reference and easy access when questions arise.

We encourage members to take a look and keep these resources handy as you work with the updated Florida Building Code.

SWFL PHCC members are invited to participate in the 2026 PHCC Member Survey. This is a members-only survey designed to gather valuable feedback from PHCC members about their experiences, needs and priorities.

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will help inform PHCC's efforts moving forward.

As a thank you for participating, members will receive a complimentary report of the survey findings and will be entered into a drawing to win an Amazon gift card.

Survey Deadline: August 30, 2026

Please note: This survey is for SWFL PHCC members only.

Backflow prevention took center stage at SWFL PHCC’s recent Backflow Basics training!

Plumbing professionals gathered for an evening of practical education focused on understanding backflow, identifying cross connection hazards, and learning the fundamentals of protecting potable water systems.

Guest Speaker Jeff Ball, Master Plumber, TREEO Certified Instructor, and NCCER Certified Plumbing Instructor, led attendees through the essentials, including backpressure and backsiphonage, hydraulic conditions, applicable regulations, common cross connections, backflow prevention assemblies, and industry responsibilities.

A special thank you to Jeff Ball for sharing his expertise and helping attendees strengthen their knowledge of this critical topic.

We also want to recognize Hydrologic of South Sarasota, our event sponsor, for supporting SWFL PHCC’s commitment to providing valuable education and training opportunities for plumbing professionals.

Thank you to everyone who joined us! We appreciate your continued support and look forward to seeing you at our next SWFL PHCC event.

OpenAI is expanding its advertising plans beyond traditional brand awareness ads and toward performance-focused advertising designed to generate measurable actions such as purchases, appointment bookings and contact form submissions.

The shift could be particularly relevant for small and local service businesses. OpenAI is reportedly exploring ways for advertisers to pay based on conversions rather than simply impressions, while new tracking tools could help businesses measure what happens after someone interacts with an ad.

For contractors, the bigger takeaway is that AI platforms may become an increasingly important part of how customers find and hire local service providers. As consumers turn to AI tools for recommendations and answers, businesses may eventually have new opportunities to reach customers directly within those conversations.

What to Watch: ChatGPT's advertising capabilities are still developing, but the move toward conversion-focused advertising could create another potential channel for contractors looking to generate leads and bookings online.
Click here to read more.

A plumbing and HVAC contractor has grown its YouTube channel to more than 1.3 million subscribers, highlighting just how powerful video has become for the skilled trades.

The company uses video for much more than traditional advertising. Its content includes helpful service information, technician training, behind-the-scenes footage, employee spotlights, community events, recruiting content, and short-form videos designed to reach a broader audience.

The bigger takeaway for contractors? You don't need a massive production studio or a huge marketing budget to get started. Consistent, useful, authentic content can help potential customers learn about your services while also giving prospective employees a look at your company and its people.

As more consumers turn to online platforms and AI tools when researching local services, video is becoming another way for contractors to build visibility and trust. Click here to read more.

Smart water technology is gaining attention as property owners look for ways to detect leaks earlier, prevent water damage, and better understand water usage.

A recent industry white paper highlights the growing use of leak detection devices, humidity sensors, water monitoring systems, and automatic shut-off technology. These systems can monitor normal water usage and identify unusual activity that may indicate a leak or malfunction.

The report also points to the importance of proper installation. Connected water systems, particularly automatic shut-off devices, can be difficult for homeowners to install correctly. Proper setup and connectivity are essential for the technology to work as intended.

While adoption remains relatively low, continued advances in smart water technology could create new opportunities for plumbing contractors to incorporate leak detection, water monitoring, and preventative solutions into their services. Click here to read more.

The 9th Edition (2026) Florida Building Code is currently in its second "Glitch/Errata" Code Change Cycle, providing an important opportunity for industry professionals to help improve the proposed code before it is finalized.

As part of SWFL PHCC's ongoing advocacy efforts, the Government Industry Affairs Committee is coordinating member feedback to develop a collective response to the proposed code changes. By gathering comments from plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical professionals throughout our membership, the committee can identify real-world concerns and submit recommendations that reflect the needs of the industry.

Rather than submitting comments individually, members are encouraged to share their suggestions with the association. The Government Industry Affairs Committee will review the feedback, compile member input, and prepare a unified submission for consideration by the Florida Building Commission.

How to Participate

Members are encouraged to review the proposed changes and submit any comments, concerns, or suggested revisions for the committee's review.

Submit feedback to: info@swflphcc.org
Subject line: Glitch/Errata Code Change Cycle
Association deadline: August 1, 2026
State deadline: August 10, 2026

When submitting feedback, please include:

• A clear explanation of the issue or concern
• Relevant section references
• Links to the applicable code sections or documents

Review Resources

Members can review the full set of proposed changes and supporting documents here:

Florida Building Code 2026 Code Development Process

Analysis of Changes – 9th Edition (2026):
Mechanical

Fuel Gas

Energy Conservation (Commercial)

Energy Conservation (Residential)

Building

Existing Building

Plumbing

Test Protocols (HVHZ)

Energy Code Overview

Why This Matters

Building codes directly impact how our industry designs, installs, and services plumbing, HVAC, and mechanical systems throughout Florida. By participating in this review process, members help ensure the code remains practical, enforceable, and reflective of real-world field experience.

The SWFL PHCC Government Industry Affairs Committee is committed to representing the interests of our members and advocating for sound policies that strengthen our industry. Your input helps ensure our collective voice is heard during the code development process.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way homeowners search for home service professionals. New AI integrations now allow users to receive contractor recommendations directly within AI-powered conversations when asking questions about home repairs, maintenance, or improvement projects.

As more consumers turn to AI tools for guidance, the way they discover and hire plumbing, HVAC, and electrical contractors continues to evolve. This shift highlights the growing importance of maintaining a strong online presence, positive customer reviews, and accurate business information across digital platforms.

While word-of-mouth referrals remain valuable, AI is becoming another tool that homeowners are using to connect with qualified contractors, making digital visibility more important than ever. Click here to read more.