News

Why You Need to Do a Facility Condition Assessment

01/22/2019

This tool is an important piece of your preventive maintenance schedule. Here’s how it can make your job easier.

World’s First Powerhouse Hotel in the Arctic Circle

01/21/2019

The world’s first energy-positive hotel, Svart, plans to open its doors in the Arctic Circle in 2021. Svart, located in Norway, will be certified by the rigorous standards of the energy-focused Powerhouse alliance.

Tips to Get Through TSA Security with Your Sanity Intact [Podcast]

01/21/2019

Getting through TSA security can already present challenges for travelers. Add in a government shutdown with workers who aren’t getting paid and it can be even more stressful. World traveler Christoph Trappe and Sarah Kloepple chat about their airport ventures to the AHR Expo in Atlanta and share tips to keep your sanity.

3 Tips for Proper E-Scooter Parking

01/18/2019

Rideshare scooters are quickly taking over streets in urban areas. While cities and e-scooter companies grapple with regulations, be sure your occupants use them safely, park properly and avoid sidewalk congestion.

Highlights from the AHR Expo Floor

01/17/2019

BUILDINGS’ Sarah Kloepple and Christoph Trappe walked the floor at the AHR Expo 2019 conference in Atlanta and had a full schedule speaking with companies featuring innovative solutions for HVAC and other facility management systems. Here are some of the highlights from their journey.

Are Energy-Saving VRF Systems Worth the Money?

01/17/2019

Variable refrigerant flow (VRF) can reduce your HVAC system’s energy consumption significantly, but it usually carries a higher upfront cost than a conventional HVAC system. Is this energy-saving technology worth the investment for your building?

AHR 2019: How HVAC Companies are Attracting the Next Generation

01/16/2019

From HVAC graduate training to engaging young people with advanced technology and applications, companies exhibiting at AHR 2019 tell us what they’re doing to attract the next generation to the HVAC workforce.

AHR Expo: How HVAC Industry Recruits Next Generation [Podcast]

01/16/2019

One of the major challenges faced today in the facilities management industry is the looming number of Baby Boomers set to retire soon. But the challenge is particularly daunting for the HVAC industry, which is poised to lose more employees to retirement than are in the pipeline for recruitment.

Where Resilience and Energy Efficiency Intersect (AHR Expo)

01/16/2019

The urgency of addressing climate change in the built environment is underscored by increasingly frequent and intense weather events. A new report by Danfoss and Penn State University explores the role of energy efficiency in creating more resilient buildings.

Use UV to Clean Coils and Cut Energy Spending (AHR Expo)

01/15/2019

UV should be on every cooling coil out in the United States and around the world. Because both the health side of it, you’re going to get better indoor air quality, but also the energy side of it, and everybody can benefit from it.

AHR Expo: Benefits of Using UV to Clean Coils [Podcast]

01/15/2019

The typical application for UV is down streaming the cooling coil to keep it clean and efficient. A germicidal light is actually killing mold and bacteria on that coil, deep into the depths of that coil. Benefits include lower energy costs and better IAQ.

AHR Expo: What You Need to Know About HFC Refrigerants

01/15/2019

States are taking up the mantle of the global HFC refrigerant phasedown in light of a lawsuit against the EPA for trying to ban the substances. Here’s how these developments affect you.

AHR Expo: The HFC Refrigerant Phase Out [Podcast]

01/15/2019

With the political situation, lawsuit against EPA regulations and what states are doing to help phase out high global warming refrigerants, it’s hard for facility managers and building owners to know what steps to take next.

AHR Expo: Firestops That Also Fight Water Intrusion

01/15/2019

In multi-floor buildings, code requires firestop systems that can prevent the spread of fire, smoke and gases between floors. This device for concrete buildings meets code requirements and also shields lower floors from water intrusion.

3 Tips to Improve Facility Cybersecurity (AHR Expo)

01/15/2019

The ever-growing adoption of Internet of Things devices is exposing facilities to cybersecurity attacks. Stay vigilant against security threats with these tips.

Absorption Chillers: How Heat Drives Efficient Cooling (AHR Expo)

01/14/2019

Absorption chillers replace refrigerants with water and use heat to drive performance. Find out how this energy-efficient technology could work in your facility.

AHR Expo: Ever-Changing Facilities Industry [Podcast]

01/14/2019

Christoph Trappe speaks with Sudhi Sinha, VP & GM, Data Enabled Business, from Johnson Controls about the dynamically changing environment in facilities management and how facility managers and owners can keep at the forefront. 

AHR Expo: Ever-changing Environment of Facility Management

01/14/2019

Building managers have a very hard job as it is trying to manage efficiency, trying to manage comfort within their constraints of budgets and legacy building systems, and ever-changing demands from the business. But the trends are changing a lot. Here’s what you need to know.

Rising Popularity of 3D Printers and Health Risks [Transcript]

01/14/2019

3D printers are rising in popularity. Georgia Tech and UL Chemical Safety conducted research and released a study that hasn’t been done before on how 3D printers are affecting the indoor air quality of those who use them.

Health Risks of 3D Printers

01/14/2019

Based off a research report conducted by Georgia Tech and UL Chemical Safety, Sarah Kloepple and Christoph Trappe chat about the rising popularity of 3D printers for businesses, schools and personal use. They discuss topics like the health risks associated with these printers as well as some tips to keep everyone safe.