Lighting Design: 7 Free Tools You Can Use Custom lighting can help sell homes. Lighting design, which also plays a major role in the energy efficiency of a home, is now much more involved than just selecting a light fixture. Through strategic lighting design, you can transform plain living spaces into extraordinary ones. The following … Read more
Cooling Systems: 4 Hidden Energy Costs Annual inspections of cooling system are essential to efficient operation. However, a closer look at the system and around the facility will likely reveal areas of waste and inefficiency that are adding to air conditioning system costs. Here are four things to watch out for. 1. Out-of-tune building controls … Read more
What’s that Sound? Listening for Energy Savings Have you heard? U.S commercial buildings use a lot of energy, and much of that energy goes to waste, In fact, about 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. You can try to ignore that waste, but it … Read more
Multifamily Properties: Sustainability Adds Value Multifamily buildings make up about 26% of the nation’s housing, and that number is growing. In a competitive market, you’re always looking for an edge. Energy efficiency upgrades and green certification will not only reduce your operating costs, but they’ll also help make your properties stand out from the crowd. … Read more
The Lifetime Value of Energy Efficiency Convincing financial decision makers to invest in energy efficiency can be difficult because of the substantial upfront costs involved. Simple payback analysis often doesn’t help, since it ignores the benefits after the payback period — typically less than half the life of the project. It’s important to look beyond … Read more
Understanding Different Types of Compressed Air Dryers Compressed air is often called the fourth utility — along with water, electricity and natural gas. This is because so many business and industries rely on compressed air for their daily operations. The act of compressing air raises the air temperature and lowers the relative humidity, which allows … Read more
Variable Frequency Drives: Answering the Questions In commercial and industrial facilities, the use of variable frequency drives (VFDs) is growing, and for good reason. VFDs can reduce motor electricity usage by 25% to 85%, depending on the application. VFDs also minimize wear and tear on motors, reducing maintenance costs and increasing equipment life. Despite these … Read more
Ductwork Cut From a Different Cloth Fabric air ducts — also known as air socks or flexible ducts — are often found in commercial and industrial facilities. These flexible tubes, made from polyester materials, are used for air distribution in open, architectural ceilings and exposed ductwork applications. They represent a cost-effective alternative to traditional metal … Read more
Ask an Engineer: Energy Savings for Small Manufacturers As a small manufacturing facility, what areas should we focus on to improve our energy performance? Although manufacturing processes vary, the cost-saving strategies that follow apply in different types of facilities of all sizes. Upgrade and maintain motors Replacing older motors with properly sized premium efficiency models … Read more
Ventilation and Air Quality: Problems and Solutions HVAC systems are designed to maintain comfort and maximize indoor air quality. While heating and air conditioning are relatively straightforward, complex ventilation systems determine the quality of the indoor environment. The health problems associated with poor indoor air quality reduce productivity and cost billions of dollars each year. … Read more