Browse by Tags

In the 13 years since the US Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, the pursuit of LEED points has become an escalating priority for many facilities managers. Many in the field are already familiar with the program’s basic structure. LEED...

“Free energy” (in the form of sunlight) is right outside the window of every commercial building. The question for building owners and facility managers, however, is whether utilizing that sunlight within the building creates a net gain or loss from an energy standpoint. After all, more sunlight...

From door locks to badge readers to security guards, facility managers take many precautions to protect occupants and assets of commercial buildings. Today’s successful manager understands that tenants and employees, as well as furnishings and floorings, are potentially harmed every day by ultraviolet...

Facility managers are well-acquainted with the concept of intelligent building systems -- the network of sensors that efficiently adjust HVAC and lighting systems throughout the day in response to changing conditions. But with all the emphasis on making mechanical and lighting systems more responsive...

Architects and design professionals entrusted with historical properties face a unique challenge. Namely, to preserve the authentic appearance of both exteriors and interiors while still achieving modern-day standards of longevity, energy efficiency and protection. Nowhere is this challenge more acute...

Many facility managers feel like they’re getting mixed messages from building owners. On the one hand, they face pressure to control budgets—but at the same time may also be facing pressures to expand green building efforts. Fortunately, there are steps to take that address sustainability...

Let’s face it: green building methods aren’t always pretty. For the interior designer, green buildings sometimes seem to impose rather rigid design constraints. Fortunately there are significant ways to improve the aesthetics of an interior space while still retaining the functional aims...

Thomas Taylor is general manager of the sustainability consulting firm Vertegy, based in the LEED Platinum Alberici Constructors facility in St. Louis, Missouri . In this interview excerpt, he shares some thoughts about how creative sustainability measures can contribute to both excellence and economy...

Building managers are becoming more aware of the benefits of green buildings: increased property values, lower operating costs, financial incentives and reduced liability. But there’s another aspect of the topic that is sometimes overlooked. Green building technologies can also help attract and...

When it comes to making energy-efficient choices, facility managers and others in the field have a wealth of resources at their fingertips. Unfortunately, not all of the information that is readily available on the web is accurate. Here are 3 myths that did not pass fact-checking. Myth: Energy management...

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Saving energy and reducing facility operating costs can seem like overwhelming tasks. However, dividing the project into smaller, more achievable steps can make the task less intimidating and easier to manage. In addition, a phased plan can make the evaluation...

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false Before electricity became widely available, people had to be inventive and smart when it came to lighting, heating and cooling buildings. As it turns out, much of what they did out of necessity fits within the standards of today’s green movement. But the...

0 false 18 pt 18 pt 0 0 false false false With colder weather just around the corner, now is the time for facility managers and property owners to start implementing energy efficient programs for winter. With appropriate planning and effort, these building improvements could be paying dividends before...

A wide range of factors determines the productivity at most offices. Temperature, furniture type, office layout, lighting and noise level are some of the factors that can impact workers’ ability to perform. While some of these solutions might seem obvious, they may all help to increase production...

There are a variety of energy-efficient ways to lower the air conditioning costs for any building. From new technologies to time-tested solutions, this article explores six low-cost, eco-friendly ways to reduce the heat in naturally hot buildings while managing energy consumption. Install an Evaporative...

The constant challenge for facility managers and builders is to find the delicate balance between lower energy bills and the upfront cost associated with creating the future savings. A previous article, “Five Overlooked Building Improvements with Quick ROI that Increase Energy Efficiency,”...

For facility managers, there’s no question that enhancing a building’s energy efficiency is not only a green way to go but is also a smart way to reduce utilities and improve the bottom line. Unfortunately, the most obvious ways to improve a building’s energy efficiency also require...