Energy Efficiency

Forum Post: Data center maintenance discussion

Dave Lubach — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:43:00 GMT

I'm hosting a roundtable for our July issue on data centers and the role of a maintenance and engineering manager in keeping them operational. Are you interested in providing your advice to peers in Maintenance Solutions? Please email me at dave.lubach@tradepress.com. I would love to hear from you. - Dave

Forum Post: Energy Star Looking For Buildings To Compete To Cut Energy Use The Most

Ed Sullivan — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:23:00 GMT

For the past three years, Energy Star has held a National Buildings Competition for energy savings. The idea is to recognize the building that can cut its energy use the most. The 2013 competition is now officially open, and this year for the first time tenants can enter. Click here to learn more about the competition.

Energy Star is also hosting a webinar for buildings interested in learning how to participate. Click here to sign up for the webinar.

Forum Post: People vs Products: Which Has More Effect on Efficiency?

Greg Zimmerman — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:52:00 GMT

The May cover story of Building Operating Management magazine profiles Stu Reeve, at Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colo. The story looks at how Reeve and his colleagues have managed to lower energy use dramatically in the district by combining building upgrades with initiatives to involve students and teachers in energy efficiency. How do you balance your energy efficiency initiatives? Is there one or the other — people or products — that has more of an effect on efficiency than the other?

www.facilitiesnet.com/.../Energy-Efficiency-Projects-Bring-Large-Savings-To-Poudre-School-District--14019

Forum Post: Budgeting roundtable

Dave Lubach — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 15:24:00 GMT

In these days of tight budgeting at every level of government and educational facilities, among other areas, smart budgeting is always an important aspect of facilities management. In May's Maintenance Solutions we hear from three managers who have been through the process and discuss their experiences. It's good stuff. We'll post here when the issue is done.

Forum Post: Re: Barriers To Energy Efficiency?

Doug Aldrich — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:26:00 GMT

Excellent article as principles can be extended to water conservation as well. I might suggest some negative barriers, not always popular, as well: Conflicts with safety organizations about airflow especially in production and lab facilities; Change resistance in standards and codes dealing with minimums; Difficult or impractical architectural designs followed by energy solutions; Low investments in controls/systems to supplement HVAC installations; LEED points for windows that compound conservation costs/operations/maintenance. All organizations want to improve, but there are hurdles and barriers out there.

Forum Post: Re: Energy Efficiency in Schools

Daryl Clasen — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 20:23:00 GMT

Another huge problem in schools is design. The design is poor and revolves around utilizing air for heating and cooling. This is inefficient, dirtier and you get much re-circulation. The better long term solution is heating and cooling with water and mass and using air systems just to deliver fresh air.

This change alone makes it much easier to accomplish room automation which is a very effective way to save energy in a building.

But, nobody seems to want to design and build high quality buildings for their kids.

Forum Post: How Do You Manage "Big Data"?

Greg Zimmerman — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:37:00 GMT

McKinsey defines Big Data as “datasets whose size is beyond the ability of typical database software tools to capture, store, manage, and analyze.” A story in our April issue looks at opportunities for facility managers to collect and analyze large amounts of data, and how those strategies can help reap rewards in terms of energy efficiency.

www.facilitiesnet.com/.../How-Energy-Managers-Can-Leverage-Big-Data-Right-Now--13976

What are some strategies you use to manage the sheer amount of facility data available?

Forum Post: Ask An Energy Efficiency Expert

Greg Zimmerman — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:24:00 GMT

Throughout the month of April, Michael Kawecki, founder and owner of Axiom Sustainable Consulting, is available to answer your energy efficiency questions. Please ask away below!

Forum Post: HVAC economizer cycle can be costly if debris enters with cool air

Tova Osofsky — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 12:21:00 GMT

Do you use your HVAC system’s economizer cycle to save on energy consumption costs? If you don’t use an outside air intake filter screen to keep debris from entering your system along with cool air, you may be decreasing your system’s long-term heat transfer efficiency and wiping out energy savings from reduced compressor run times.

Reap the full energy saving benefits of your HVAC system’s economizer cycle by installing low-cost PreVent outside air intake filter screens to keep dirt and debris out of economizer system intakes.

Forum Post: Do You Use Energy Efficiency Rebates / Incentives?

Greg Zimmerman — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:46:00 GMT

A story in our Feb. issue profiles a few organization that have had much success (to the tune of millions of dollars) getting rebates and incentives for energy efficiency and demand-side management. Where do you look for energy efficiency rebates? Do you have any tips or tricks to share about how to apply? Please let us know!

www.facilitiesnet.com/.../Look-For-Utility-Rebates-Early-In-Energy-Efficiency-Projects--13769

Forum Post: Clean HVAC Coils Make Sense—and Save Cents

Tova Osofsky — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:14:00 GMT

An article on Contracting Business.com called “Clean Coils Make Sense—and Save Cents”, written by Troy Rybicki, gives a great, clear explanation of why keeping HVAC coils clean saves you money and energy. Check it out at

contractingbusiness.com/.../clean-coils-make-sense-and-save-cents

Increase energy efficiency even more with PreVent outside air intake filter screens. They add to your long-term savings by preventing coils from getting dirty at the point of entry and cutting down on the need for costly repeat cleaning, especially during the summer cottonwood season. Find out more at www.permatron.com/.../rooftop-equipment.aspx

Forum Post: Re: Webcast on Improving Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings

goldriverfloors — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:01:00 GMT

Well, how could we find the need of Improving Sustainability & Energy Efficiency in Existing Buildings?

Forum Post: Why Re- and Retro-Commissioning HVAC Is Important

Greg Zimmerman — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:20:00 GMT

The lead to our January article says it all: "It's sad but true. HVAC performance gets worse over time in almost all buildings."

www.facilitiesnet.com/.../Why-HVAC-Performance-Gets-Worse-Over-Time--13733

What tips do you have to maximize the effectiveness of energy audits and HVAC retrocommissioning plans?

Forum Post: Tips For Earning Utility Rebates And Incentives For Energy Efficiency

Ed Sullivan — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:59:00 GMT

The growth in utility rebates and incentives have made these programs valuable resources for facility managers. But many facility managers miss opportunities to improve the returns on energy efficiency projects because they fail to tap available rebates and incentives. Click here to learn more about tips for earning energy efficiency rebates.

Forum Post: Avoid "Performance Decay"!

Greg Zimmerman — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 15:39:00 GMT

This month's lead article in the Green Building Report, written by engineer Jamie Qualk, discusses how facility managers can best bridge the gap between a design for efficiency and efficient operations. As we know, one of the criticisms of the LEED rating system is that design isn't necessarily an indication of efficiency once the building is operating. The question: Have you experience "performance decay" in any of your buildings? How did you remedy the situation?

www.facilitiesnet.com/.../Bridge-The-Gap-From-Construction-To-Efficient-Operations--13730

Forum Post: Building Energy Efficiency Into the Master Plan

Naomi Millán — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 20:58:00 GMT

Actively incorporating energy efficiency into a facility master plan can help facility managers get the most out of system upgrades to maximize a facility's potential and cost-saving to the benefit of the students and community. Rather than waiting for something to go wrong and not having allocated funds to replace or upgrade properly, facility managers can be proactive. Learn how several school districts did just that by clicking here.

Forum Post: Have you undergone a retrocommissioning project lately

Dave Lubach — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:29:00 GMT

The February roundtable for Maintenance Solutions will focus on retrocommissioning, including benefits, challenges, and lessons learned along the way. Excited to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Please post them below.

Forum Post: Re: When's The Last Time You Looked AT Your Windows?

Jeff Rudy — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 17:21:00 GMT

Increase tenant comfort, let the good light in, keep costly and harmful UV rays out and thwart vandalism and break-ins. 3M Window Films provide a great return on investment and so much more.

•Energy savings: save up to one ton of air conditioning for every 100 square feet of glass exposed to the sun

www.Carolina-Solar.com

Forum Post: Are net-zero energy buildings really possible?

Greg Zimmerman — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:02:00 GMT

A story in our October issue (the link to the piece is below) discusses three myths regarding net-zero energy buildings. The idea is that, while they're not exactly the mainstream practice yet - or really even close - they are still popping up much more frequently these days. And there's nothing in these buildings that is outrageous or super technologically advanced.

www.facilitiesnet.com/.../Dont-Let-Myths-Stop-You-From-Exploring-NetZero-Energy-Buildings--13537

Forum Post: Building owners earn rewards by designing in energy efficiency

Tova Osofsky — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 09:31:00 GMT

Innovative program run by San Diego Gas & Energy awards financial incentives to building owners for designing new buildings and renovating existing buildings to be energy efficient. The incentives add to savings on operating costs that all businesses can reap by keeping lighting, manufacturing, hot water and HVAC systems debris-free and in tip-top operating condition.

Read more about this interesting program in Building Energy Efficiency into Your Construction Costs on the buildings.com site,