Find expert engineering guidance on designing and implementing energy-efficient solutions for high-performance buildings. Discover innovative strategies for HVAC systems, lighting, building controls, and renewable energy integration to optimize building performance, reduce energy consumption, and enhance occupant comfort. https://www.achrnews.com/rss/15059-engineered-systems-news en-us ASHRAE has named Sarah E. Maston as its 2026–27 president, launching the “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience” initiative to drive innovation in building efficiency and resilience. ASHRAE has named Sarah E. Maston as its 2026–27 president, launching the “Changing the Game: Retrofitting for Resilience” initiative to drive innovation in building efficiency and resilience.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166412 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:55:11 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166412-ashrae-announces-20262027-leadership-award-recipients By rethinking the role of the driveshaft as a linchpin of mechanical stability, today’s data center cooling towers are engineered to thrive under relentless, ever-changing thermal loads. By rethinking the role of the driveshaft as a linchpin of mechanical stability, today’s data center cooling towers are engineered to thrive under relentless, ever-changing thermal loads.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166411 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:35:12 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166411-engineered-drivetrain-reliability-for-high-density-data-center-cooling-towers Explore how hospitals and other critical facilities must rethink emergency power and resilience strategies as extreme weather and grid stresses create increasingly complex and challenges. Explore how hospitals and other critical facilities must rethink emergency power and resilience strategies as extreme weather and grid stresses create increasingly complex and challenges.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166409 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:02:19 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166409-designing-critical-facilities-for-a-more-volatile-grid keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) Sakari Suhonen, CEO of Tosi United States, is leading a push to overhaul how commercial buildings secure and manage remote access to critical systems. Sakari Suhonen, CEO of Tosi United States, is leading a push to overhaul how commercial buildings secure and manage remote access to critical systems.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166408 Wed, 08 Jul 2026 15:41:46 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166408-how-tosis-sakari-suhonen-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-building-automation-security keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) Stack effect isn’t just an HVAC nuisance – it’s a physics issue that shapes every decision in high-rise residential conversions. Stack effect isn’t just an HVAC nuisance – it’s a physics issue that shapes every decision in high-rise residential conversions.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166389 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 15:30:00 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166389-the-invisible-challenge-why-stack-effect-can-sabotage-office-to-apartment-conversions The USC Brain Health Center integrates advanced clinical care, research, and technology to improve outcomes for patients, writes Michael Scruggs, PE, project manager at RMF Engineering. The USC Brain Health Center integrates advanced clinical care, research, and technology to improve outcomes for patients, writes Michael Scruggs, PE, project manager at RMF Engineering.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166361 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:19:44 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166361-engineering-the-future-of-brain-health-at-the-university-of-south-carolina This article explores how large facilities are using alternative cooling tower treatment strategies, like advanced oxidation processes (AOP), to reduce water use and operational costs without sacrificing uptime. This article explores how large facilities are using alternative cooling tower treatment strategies, like advanced oxidation processes (AOP), to reduce water use and operational costs without sacrificing uptime.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166360 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:55:10 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166360-cooling-towers-facing-new-water-reality ES NEWS Guest columnist Trevor Vick examines how the lack of reliable, continuous records is hindering building decarbonization efforts and compliance with emerging performance standards. ES NEWS Guest columnist Trevor Vick examines how the lack of reliable, continuous records is hindering building decarbonization efforts and compliance with emerging performance standards.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166359 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:07:58 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166359-the-records-problem-quietly-undermining-building-decarbonization keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) Budderfly and Viridi are rolling out 100 battery energy storage systems across commercial sites nationwide, promising seamless integration with HVAC and building systems to boost resiliency and lower costs. Budderfly and Viridi are rolling out 100 battery energy storage systems across commercial sites nationwide, promising seamless integration with HVAC and building systems to boost resiliency and lower costs.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166357 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:37:55 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166357-battery-storage-hvac-and-energy-flexibility-inside-budderfly-and-viridis-nationwide-rollout The choice of duct liner materials in HVAC systems can significantly affect fire safety by impacting smoke development and spread, writes ES NEWS Guest Columnist David Burd of Owens Corning. The choice of duct liner materials in HVAC systems can significantly affect fire safety by impacting smoke development and spread, writes ES NEWS Guest Columnist David Burd of Owens Corning.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166356 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 13:00:12 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166356-smoke-signals-why-duct-liner-choice-could-impact-fire-safety By connecting data center waste heat to district heating networks, operators and cities can transform an environmental challenge into a community resource. By connecting data center waste heat to district heating networks, operators and cities can transform an environmental challenge into a community resource.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166297 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:56:29 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166297-a-practical-path-to-heat-reuse-linking-data-centers-to-district-heating-networks 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 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166293 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:56:38 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166293-epa-rollbacks-may-drive-up-ac-and-refrigeration-costs-manufacturers-warn 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166277 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 11:43:38 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166277-the-load-calculation-standard-most-engineers-havent-read-but-really-should 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166272 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:53:54 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166272-liberating-your-data-the-foundation-of-smarter-buildings keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166273 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 12:49:38 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166273-northern-virginia-wants-to-turn-data-center-waste-heat-into-a-community-resource A guide to proper relief air plenum pressure sensor installation for stable and effective AHU control. A guide to proper relief air plenum pressure sensor installation for stable and effective AHU control.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166247 Wed, 27 May 2026 14:25:50 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166247-correct-installation-of-the-relief-air-plenum-pressure-sensor 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166246 Wed, 27 May 2026 13:59:27 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166246-choosing-coil-coatings-for-coastal-and-high-grease-applications keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166242 Wed, 27 May 2026 13:11:10 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166242-the-shift-to-predictive-hvac-service hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) Combine equipment startup and system commissioning into a single, streamlined process to improve quality control and efficiency. Combine equipment startup and system commissioning into a single, streamlined process to improve quality control and efficiency.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166201 Wed, 13 May 2026 14:14:44 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166201-combining-equipment-startup-with-system-commissioning Accurate and continuous measurement of gas stream composition is the hidden key to safe, efficient, and compliant CCUS operations. Accurate and continuous measurement of gas stream composition is the hidden key to safe, efficient, and compliant CCUS operations.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166165 Mon, 11 May 2026 15:33:06 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166165-the-critical-role-of-gas-chromatography-in-ccus-success 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166167 Thu, 07 May 2026 09:42:37 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166167-half-of-the-make-up-air-units-in-qsr-kitchens-are-failing-but-the-industry-has-no-way-to-know 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166164 Wed, 06 May 2026 09:09:43 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166164-japan-charts-new-course-for-global-energy-leadership keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166146 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:46:14 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166146-ashrae-sets-focus-on-healthy-buildings-and-announces-leadership-changes By swapping complexity for simplicity, turnkey electrode boilers are helping industries electrify fast – no hard hats or headaches required. By swapping complexity for simplicity, turnkey electrode boilers are helping industries electrify fast – no hard hats or headaches required.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166119 Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:04:56 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166119-a-turnkey-approach-to-electrode-boilers Peak-load calculations once kept HVAC design simple, but clinging to them could leave modern buildings unprepared for the real world. Peak-load calculations once kept HVAC design simple, but clinging to them could leave modern buildings unprepared for the real world.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166112 Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:38:16 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166112-how-traditional-peak-load-assumptions-are-becoming-unreliable-under-todays-conditions 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166102 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:56:23 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166102-hdpe-cooling-tower-from-the-early-80s-still-chillin-to-the-max 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166084 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:18:34 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166084-the-future-of-refrigerants-for-hvac-compressors-and-their-challenges 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. 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.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166085 Thu, 16 Apr 2026 10:44:35 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166085-understanding-real-world-performance-of-additive-air-cleaners-in-hvac-design keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) ASHRAE’s 2026 Annual Conference in Austin sets the stage for transformative changes in HVAC technology, climate resilience, and workforce development. ASHRAE’s 2026 Annual Conference in Austin sets the stage for transformative changes in HVAC technology, climate resilience, and workforce development.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166081 Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:15:41 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166081-ashrae-2026-heads-to-austin-heres-whats-on-deck hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) Howie McKew, Tomorrow’s Environment columnist for ES NEWS, explores the evolution of boiler technology, highlighting shifts since the 1972 energy crisis. Howie McKew, Tomorrow’s Environment columnist for ES NEWS, explores the evolution of boiler technology, highlighting shifts since the 1972 energy crisis.

]]> http://www.achrnews.com/articles/166053 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 13:54:58 -0400 https://www.achrnews.com/articles/166053-boiler-basics-how-a-century-of-innovation-and-energy-crisis-shaped-modern-heating