Building controls - Articles

A BAS Designed for Small and Medium-Sized Buildings

June 9, 2026

SkyQ offers advanced, system-wide HVAC control without the complexities and costs of traditional building automation systems.

Airoverse, Lowder Brothers Bring Scalable Building Automation to Fort Smith School District

How a large Arkansas school district simplified facility management across 100 buildings

Caitlin Trainor

May 29, 2026

Airoverse and Lowder Brothers partnered to bring scalable, accessible building automation to Fort Smith School District, helping the district manage HVAC across 33 campuses and roughly 100 buildings.

Code Compliance vs. Real-World Performance

Why code-compliant designs can still fail in operation, and what engineers miss when performance is treated as a checkbox

Austin Keating

February 26, 2026

Nathan Kegel, vice president of IES, shares insights with ES NEWS, sharing how to bridge the gap between code compliance and actual building performance.

Unstable Transitions in HVAC Operations: Humidifier Enable Logic

Humidifier enable logic glitches and HVAC instability

Miles Ryan P.E.

February 25, 2026

Commissioning Columnist Miles Ryan shows how a programming oversight caused unexpected humidity control failures during system transitions.

Promoting Building Longevity and Cost Optimization Through Retro-commissioning

How a proactive approach to building automation and control can drive dramatic savings, boost efficiency, and extend facility life – as proven by a Maryland courthouse’s turnaround

Jon Logue

January 12, 2026

A case study from RMF Engineering on the Rockville District Courthouse highlights how targeted retro-commissioning can slash utility costs and maximize building performance.

Beyond Ductwork: Why Mechanical Thinking Is Holding Back Smart Buildings

Why the construction industry’s traditional approach to building automation is broken, and how truly smart buildings start with smarter decisions, better integration, and technology leaders at the table

Diego Palacios

November 28, 2025

A candid look at why most “smart” buildings fall short, and what it really takes to get building automation (and integration) right from the start.

Building Automation Graphics: How Symbol Standards Improve Quality and Reduce Rework

Graphics are more than aesthetics: they help operators quickly interpret complex building automation data and respond effectively

Dan McCarty

October 8, 2025

Consistent graphics streamline commissioning and troubleshooting, making it easier for teams to verify systems and reduce mistake, writes ES NEWS guest columnist Dan McCarty, owner of QA Graphics.

Do Cx Providers Need To Know BAS Programming?

Learning BAS programming firsthand improved troubleshooting, teamwork, and confidence

Miles Ryan P.E.

September 24, 2025

ES NEWS' Commissioning columnist, Miles Ryan, demonstrates how understanding BAS programming enhances system testing and troubleshooting.

Unlocking the Value of BAS Data: Why Smarter Trending Matters

Breaking down how building owners and operators can use advanced trending strategies to boost HVAC performance, solve problems faster, and make data-driven decisions for the future

Miles Ryan P.E.

August 28, 2025

This column by ES NEWS' Miles Ryan explores how building owners and operators can unlock the full potential of BAS trending for smarter facility management.

New CGNA President Brings 'Strategic Mindset'

August 21, 2025

David Suskie brings to his new role at Controls Group North America more than 35 years of experience in the HVACR wholesale supply, temperature controls, and building management systems industries.