What’s New? Innovations in LED Lighting LEDs are the latest in energy-efficient lighting technology, offering high efficiency, long-rated life and durability. Once limited to applications such as small electronics and exit signs, LEDs can now be seen lighting up homes, businesses, parking garages and city streets. The following are some of the most important recent … Read more
Energy Trends to Look For in 2022 With technology innovations and shifting priorities, the energy industry is always changing. Many of these changes can impact your operations and your energy budget. Here we focus on recent trends in renewable energy, fleet vehicles and computer technology that may affect your facility in the next year and … Read more
Performance Testing Pushes the Building Envelope Your building envelope—walls, windows, doors and roof—is designed to bring in things you want, such as ventilated fresh air and daylight. It’s also your protection against unwanted air and water intrusion, as well as thermal leakage. How is your building envelope doing? Apply these three tests to assess your … Read more
Savings Opportunities for Common Areas You want to reduce your energy costs but getting tenants to cooperate is challenging. Unfortunately, in many multifamily buildings, energy waste in common areas is all too common. By implementing these simple measures, you can set your common areas apart and reduce your operating budget. Upgrade lighting Replace incandescent … Read more
VIDEO: An Inside Look at Insulation Your facility likely uses fiberglass, cellulose or foam materials for insulation. But how do they work? In the summer, heat tries to come into your facility; in winter, heat tries to leave. Insulation provides a barrier that slows conductive heat flow, which passes through materials. But it should also … Read more
https://player.vimeo.com/external/175572583.hd.mp4?s=d60059d85b16e3069e6d7f54901f61ce288222bf&profile_id=119 Expert’s Desk: Occupancy Sensors vs. Vacancy Sensors Occupancy and vacancy sensors both save energy by controlling lights, but they work in different ways. How? Let’s take a look. Imagine a room equipped with an occupancy sensor. When someone enters the room, the lights automatically turn on. When they leave again, the lights stay on … Read more
Capture Energy Savings with Heat Recovery Nothing should go to waste, and heat is no exception. Heat recovery devices capture thermal energy and use it for space conditioning and water heating. This helps improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. Don’t rush in, however. Heat recovery systems are not right for every application. A careful … Read more
Refrigeration Systems: Data is Cool You can’t control what you don’t measure and this is certainly true for refrigeration systems. One of the biggest problems with these systems is refrigerant leaks, which can result in major energy waste. A system low on refrigerant must work harder to control desired temperatures. With the right leak detection … Read more
Lighting Controls: Calculating the Savings Upgrading to high-efficiency lighting is a great way to reduce operating costs. However, any light — no matter how efficient — wastes energy and money lighting empty spaces. Adding controls can optimize savings and help preserve precious energy resources. That sounds great, but lighting controls are an investment. It would … Read more
Building Automation: Choosing the Right Wireless Protocol Building automation systems (BAS), as well as lighting and HVAC controls, are designed to save energy, maintain occupant comfort, increase productivity and reduce operating costs. These systems use multiple sensors to gather data about the indoor environment and information about equipment status. Hard-wiring sensors is time-consuming and expensive, … Read more