Big Buildings Meet Big Data
Recently there has been a lot in the press about “big data.”
View ArticleFour Rules For Air-To-Air Energy Recovery Units
The application of energy recovery units allows for the ability to do total heat recovery and recover both sensible and latent heat from an exhaust air stream, using that heat to pre-condition outdoor...
View ArticleUpgrading Aging Building Automation
Often when we are evaluating or assessing an existing building, we are on the lookout for equipment and systems that are in poor condition or approaching the end of life.
View ArticleBuilding To Grid — AKA B2G
You’ve heard a lot of talk about the deployment of the Smart Grid. Most of the initial smart grid deployments are focused on the de-ployment of smart meters that enable utilities to gather usage...
View ArticleDDC Or Pneumatic?
Much of our work involves energy studies and retrofits to commercial buildings.
View ArticleControls Retrofits – Preserving Smoke Control
Following a tragic fire in a Las Vegas hotel in the 1980’s, the industry recognized the dangers to occupants from smoke inhalation during a fire emergency.
View ArticleChiller Plant Control
Chilled water plants tend to be one of the most energy intensive areas of a commercial building.
View ArticleControls Optimization: No Longer Optional
At one time, it might have been acceptable to view controls as a “necessary evil” with little attention given to the details of design including sequences and commissioning
View ArticleMaking BAS Accessible — But Protected From Cyberattack
Chances are you have heard about the data breach at Target that occurred late last year, in which customers’ information including credit card numbers were obtained through a cyberattack.
View ArticleSpring Tune-Up For Your BAS?
Each month in this column, we talk about the benefits of control systems and BAS.
View ArticleData Analytics
Buildings contain a treasure trove of data. Information is available from a broad variety of systems from HVAC and electrical to utility usage.
View ArticleControls & Occupancy
Much of the energy usage in a commercial building can be attributed to systems that are operating under the assumption that the building is “occupied.”
View ArticleImpact Of ASHRAE 90.1 On Controls And BAS Design
In an effort to improve energy efficiency for commercial buildings, ASHRAE, IES, ANSI, and the DOE have been working diligently to increase the stringency of state energy codes.
View ArticleControls For VRF Systems
One of the most interesting new HVAC trends is the use of VRF systems
View ArticleUpgrading VAV Boxes
VAV terminal units have been widely used for space comfort conditioning over the last 30 plus years.
View ArticleControl Of Critical Environments
On all projects, the need to provide reliability, accuracy, and safety need to be carefully considered as part of the overall design, but when we start looking at critical environments, these...
View ArticlePressure-Independent Control Valves
On several recent projects, we have had control contractors who have promoted the use of pressure-independent control valves (PICV).
View ArticleDemand-Controlled Ventilation
One of the challenges we have with commercial buildings is the fine line between providing a safe and healthy indoor environment and maximizing energy efficiency.
View ArticleEnhanced BAS With Data Analytics
In theory, a BAS provides all of the hardware and software required to analyze and operate all functions within a building. In reality, though, what most of these systems do best is control the HVAC...
View ArticleLab Hood Control
The use of chemical and biological agents often requires a laboratory fume hood for conducting experiments and storage of dangerous materials.
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