Engineered Systems NEWS

A Practical Path to Heat Reuse: Linking Data Centers to District Heating Networks

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:56:29 -0400

By connecting data center waste heat to district heating networks, operators and cities can transform an environmental challenge into a community resource.

EPA Rollbacks May Drive Up AC and Refrigeration Costs, Manufacturers Warn

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:56:38 -0400

The EPA’s move to extend deadlines for cutting back powerful refrigerants is drawing sharp criticism from manufacturers, who argue the rollback will actually raise air conditioning and refrigeration costs for Americans.

The Load Calculation Standard Most Engineers Haven't Read (But Really Should)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:43:38 -0400

ASHRAE Standard 183 is now embedded in energy codes across most U.S. jurisdictions, and many engineering teams don't know their current load calculation workflows may not meet it.

Liberating Your Data: The Foundation of Smarter Buildings

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:53:54 -0400

Buildings can't take advantage of modern AI and automation tools because their data is locked inside proprietary systems. Liberating that data into a centralized, structured layer is the foundation for smarter facilities.

Northern Virginia Wants to Turn Data Center Waste Heat into a Community Resource

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:49:38 -0400

As Northern Virginia’s data center boom strains power, water, and infrastructure, industry leaders are turning to district energy to transform waste heat into a scalable, low-carbon resource.

Correct Installation of the Relief Air Plenum Pressure Sensor

Wed, 27 May 2026 14:25:50 -0400

A guide to proper relief air plenum pressure sensor installation for stable and effective AHU control.

Choosing Coil Coatings for Coastal and High-Grease Applications

Wed, 27 May 2026 13:59:27 -0400

Whether a coil coating is necessary hinges on the environment: salty air, kitchen grease, or aggressive chemicals can turn unprotected HVAC/R coils into short-lived liabilities.

The Shift to Predictive HVAC Service

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 27 May 2026 13:11:10 -0400

As commercial buildings face escalating costs, aging equipment, and a shrinking labor pool, the HVAC industry is being pushed to abandon old-school, reactive maintenance in favor of smarter, data-driven strategies.

Combining Equipment Startup with System Commissioning

hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) — Wed, 13 May 2026 14:14:44 -0400

Combine equipment startup and system commissioning into a single, streamlined process to improve quality control and efficiency.

The Critical Role of Gas Chromatography in CCUS Success

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:33:06 -0400

Accurate and continuous measurement of gas stream composition is the hidden key to safe, efficient, and compliant CCUS operations.

Half of the Make-Up Air Units in QSR Kitchens Are Failing, but the Industry has no Way to Know

Thu, 07 May 2026 09:42:37 -0400

A 251-site test-and-balance field study across forty national and regional quick-service brands found 91% running net-negative pressure, 46% of make-up air units not working, and a median imbalance of nearly 1,900 CFM.

Japan Charts New Course for Global Energy Leadership

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:09:43 -0400

As Japan aggressively pursues carbon neutrality and reimagines its energy mix, the world watches to see if these bold steps can serve as a template for sustainable growth.

ASHRAE Sets Focus on Healthy Buildings and Announces Leadership Changes

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:46:14 -0400

From tree forts to global standards, new ASHRAE president Bill McQuade is shaking up the HVAC world with a vision that puts human health and comfort front and center.

A Turnkey Approach to Electrode Boilers

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:04:56 -0400

By swapping complexity for simplicity, turnkey electrode boilers are helping industries electrify fast – no hard hats or headaches required.

How Traditional Peak Load Assumptions Are Becoming Unreliable Under Today’s Conditions

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:38:16 -0400

Peak-load calculations once kept HVAC design simple, but clinging to them could leave modern buildings unprepared for the real world.

HDPE Cooling Tower from the Early ’80s Still 'Chillin’ to the Max'

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:56:23 -0400

Installed in 1981, an HDPE cooling tower at Radio Frequency Company has operated continuously for over 40 years – far surpassing the typical lifespan of metal models.

The Future of Refrigerants for HVAC Compressors and Their Challenges

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:18:34 -0400

Written by Brett Hopkins of Trelleborg Sealing Solutions R&D, ES NEWS’ latest Case in Point examines how new refrigerants and elastomer technologies are impacting HVAC compressor design and reliability.

Understanding Real-World Performance of Additive Air Cleaners in HVAC Design

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:44:35 -0400

Air cleaners are either subtractive or additive. Subtractive devices, like fiber or carbon filters, physically remove particles or chemicals from the air. Additive devices release substances into the air to neutralize microbes or chemicals.

ASHRAE 2026 Heads to Austin, Here's What's on Deck

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:15:41 -0400

ASHRAE’s 2026 Annual Conference in Austin sets the stage for transformative changes in HVAC technology, climate resilience, and workforce development.

Boiler Basics: How a Century of Innovation and Energy Crisis Shaped Modern Heating

hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:54:58 -0400

Howie McKew, Tomorrow’s Environment columnist for ES NEWS, explores the evolution of boiler technology, highlighting shifts since the 1972 energy crisis.

NYC’s Window to Energy Efficiency: Decoding the City’s Building Ratings

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:51:49 -0400

A firsthand look at New York City’s visible building energy ratings and what those letter grades really mean for owners, visitors, and the city’s sustainability efforts.

Unstable Transitions in HVAC Operations: Humidifier Disable Logic

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:49:57 -0400

An overlooked control logic detail in hospital air handling units led to recurring freezestat trips and heating instability during the winter, illustrating how small automation choices can have big operational impacts.

The Engineer Redefining High-Rise HVAC in New York and New Jersey

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:06:13 -0400

Tarang Patel is setting new standards for high-rise HVAC engineering in the New York and New Jersey region, with published innovations in ventilation and system design recognized across the industry.

How to Future-Proof the Mechanical Systems in the Modern Data Center Campus

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:03:36 -0400

Dig into how data center mechanical systems must be engineered to handle stricter power and water limits, increasing computing density, and heightened community concerns, all while staying flexible for the future.

Yaskawa America, Inc. Expands into Colombia with Acquisition of Variadores SAS

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:39:17 -0400

Yaskawa America, Inc. has acquired Variadores SAS, uniting two longtime partners to expand automation solutions and services throughout Colombia and the Andean region.

CHP Plant Undergoes Hydrogen Combustion Testing

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:17:11 -0400

Hydrogen is being blended with natural gas at facilities like Eight Flags Energy to lower emissions and advance decarbonization, offering a promising, low-carbon alternative for power generation.

NOx Optimization is the Next Step in Boiler Sustainability

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:10:26 -0400

Within today’s industrial landscape, emissions compliance has become an ongoing challenge, driving companies to adopt agile and future-ready NOx reduction strategies to keep pace with ever-tightening air quality standards.

Why Your Fan Won’t Behave: A Field Tech’s Guide to System Effect

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 15:09:41 -0400

Exclusive for ES NEWS, a no-nonsense guide for TAB pros and engineers, featuring real-world troubleshooting strategies from Cody Shook of Precision Flow Engineering.

Owner-Focused HVAC Training: A Smarter Approach

hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:28:11 -0400

Elevating project outcomes and reducing long-term costs through proactive owner involvement in HVAC training – from conceptual design to project closeout.

Engineering HVAC Solutions for Efficiency and Connectivity

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0400

Rheem’s Rodrigo Cedeno and Chris Day sit down with ES NEWS for a deep dive on their vision for a more sustainable HVAC future.