Shop Talk: 31 Expense-Slashing Solutions

When you have a cup of coffee with your peers, you share the ways you solved a problem, found a new use for a product, or slashed your budget without slashing quality. The BUILDINGS editorial team has had coffee with a number of facilities managers and has compiled a list of their best practices. Learn about the inventive practices your peers are using, like implementing daytime cleaning, arming security guards with temperature guns, using wireless irrigation systems, and purchasing refurbished furniture.

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Daikin McQuay
Daikin McQuay 150 to 530-ton Pathfinder™ chillers offer three levels of efficiency—Standard, High and Premium—to exactly meet performance requirements. The Standard efficiency model meets ASHRAE 90.1-2010 requirements; the premium model has best-in-class efficiency. Optional VFDs optimize part-load efficiency even more – up to 19.4 EER for the Premium efficiency model with VFD. Patented condenser fans move a maximum amount of air with minimum sound, making the Pathfinder chiller as quiet as it is efficient.

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Free DOE Tool Sketches Lighting Plans

The name "Commercial Lighting Solutions" sounds more like a corporate subsidiary than a new, free software product from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). In fact, it is a web-based lighting tool that DOE created last year to help facilities managers and others do accurate, quick calculations for energy-efficient lighting applications.

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DOE Funding Targets Midsize Wind Turbines $5 Million to Expedite Mass Production.Click here for complete article…

Performance Data Collected from LEED Buildings USGBC to assess actual energy and water savings.Click here for complete article…

1960s Sacramento Towers Get a Make-Over
Office Building 8 and 9 save original architecture while adding sustainable upgrades.
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Make your buildings work.

You can make your buildings more energy efficient, profitable and sustainable. Talk to Johnson Controls about an audit of your energy usage that can pinpoint opportunities to save. .

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Is New Furniture Necessary? Refurbished furniture can cut cost and time, and add some green to your building.Click here for complete article …

Water Conservation for Your Landscaping
Sustainably maintaining landscaping conserves water and saves money.
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Prevent 17 Common Lighting Mistakes When a lighting retrofit is done right, you'll see dramatic savings, quick payback, enhanced lighting quality, visual comfort, reduced maintenance, etc. – as long as you don't make these 17 mistakes.Click here for complete article …

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Put Your Building to Work

Buildings that work benefit owners, occupants and their communities. From educational institutions and hospitals, to government and office buildings, Johnson Controls can make your building work more efficiently, sustainably and profitably. Discover how you can estimate the energy cost savings, improved productivity and reduced carbon emissions that can be achieved through building improvements with the Put Your Building to Work online savings calculator.

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Majesta double hung windows by Kolbe
These windows are great for mixed-use, converted warehouse, and historic properties.
Click here for more information on this product… True Wood ceiling panels by USG
Over 200 FSC-certified wood product choices.
Click here for more information on this product… Area Light from ECO Lighting Solutions
This induction light lasts for 100,000 hours.
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Whitepapers Case Studies Catalogs

Extend the life of an asphalt pavement, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions, and save petroleum resources. Building Information Modeling Saves B&W Pantex Nearly $10 Million In Construction Costs Anti-Slip Roof Top Walkway