High-Performance Buildings & Automation

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Shifting State Energy Policies Change the Math

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:26:25 -0400

States across the country are adopting new standards to address energy usage, efficiency, and the future of fossil fuels.

Code Compliance vs. Real-World Performance

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 04:00:00 -0500

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

Hybrid Cooling: How Combining Free and Active Cooling Optimizes Energy Efficiency in Industrial Enclosures

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 09:08:04 -0500

Hybrid cooling systems combine the best of passive and active technologies to maximize energy efficiency and reliability in industrial environments.

Six Trends Reshaping Building Performance in 2026

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:23:21 -0500

How building owners and operators are rethinking performance, resilience, and compliance as new pressures reshape the industry.

Carrier Aims to Ease California’s 2026 HVAC Overhaul with Pre-Certified Control Sequences

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 11:01:17 -0500

The submission covers a broad range of applications – VAVs, air handlers, exhaust fans, and fan coil units. The i-Vu system will include locked logic to support compliance.

Promoting Building Longevity and Cost Optimization Through Retro-commissioning

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 13:47:04 -0500

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

How Commercial and Institutional Buildings Can Reduce Energy Consumption

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 08:56:57 -0500

Small steps matter, but the key to lower energy consumption lies with the decisions of architects, engineers, and legislators. Guest columnist Dan Reider, P.E., explores what really makes a difference.

Efficiency, Cost and Speed: Addressing Construction Industry Challenges with IMPs

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:15:28 -0500

Today’s construction industry needs smarter solutions to keep projects on budget, on schedule, and in line with tough environmental standards. Insulated metal panels (IMPs) are stepping up, writes Karim Muri of Kingspan.

Every Sheet Metal System Starts with a Flow Diagram

hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 13:52:13 -0500

A practical roadmap for ensuring coordinated, cost-effective installations – saving time, money, and headaches for everyone involved.

Parting Words of Wisdom from 2024-25 ASHRAE President Dennis Knight on AI Use

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 15:00:00 -0400

ASHRAE prohibits the entry of content from any ASHRAE publication or related ASHRAE intellectual property into generative AI tools. Former ASHRAE President Dennis Knight shares some reasons why.

Commercial HVAC Systems Can Provide Aid During Climate Disasters

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 14:23:52 -0400

As climate disasters become the new normal, advanced sensors and automation are quietly transforming how buildings protect the people inside.

Achieving New Heights in Sustainable High-Rise Living with VRF

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The innovative VRF system delivered on multiple fronts, reinforced the positioning Regency Parc as a model for luxury residential sustainability in South Florida.

Decatur Public Library’s New Adiabatic Cooling System Improves Comfort and Efficiency

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Photos from the project show the new stackable chiller modules, expanded piping, buffer tank, and rooftop fluid coolers – all key components of the library’s advanced, water-saving HVAC retrofit.

Decarbonizing Without Disruption: A Practical Path to Building Performance Standards Compliance

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 12:59:32 -0400

As building owners race to meet tough new climate rules, costly retrofits aren’t the only answer. District energy systems offer a streamlined, scalable approach to slashing emissions – all while minimizing disruption and protecting property value, ES NEWS' Guest Columnist Rob Thornton writes.

How Stratus Is Changing the Game for Prefab

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:47:55 -0400

A digital platform is changing the way we manage prefabrication. Stratus connects our teams and streamlines every stage of the process, a Harris project manager and fabrication director writes in their latest ES NEWS' column.

Monitoring of Standalone Equipment’s General Alarms

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 13:19:50 -0400

This article explores why designers lean on BAS integration for critical alarms, highlights the most common points of failure encountered during commissioning, and offers practical guidance for ensuring that alarm notifications are both reliable and truly necessary for your facility operations team.

EVAPCO and CCCTC Partner on Real-World 3D Modeling Project

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 12:41:30 -0400

As technology and manufacturing continue to evolve, partnerships like this one between EVAPCO and CCCTC serve as powerful models for how industry and education can collaborate to benefit everyone.

Kaman Precision Products: Air Gap Tool

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 20:48:37 -0400

The Air Gap Tool is a new instrument designed to simplify and enhance the measurement and data management of air gaps in hydroelectric turbines.

Reframing Building Management Systems Where Edge and Cloud Act in Unison

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:36:22 -0400

A new era is emerging for building management systems — one where edge computing and the cloud work together, not in silos. ES NEWS guest columnist Eugene Mazo lays out how this unified approach unlocks real-time insights, resilience, and efficiency, transforming facilities management.

How a Chicago School Optimized HVAC, Energy Efficiency, and Indoor Air Quality for Student Success

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:49:59 -0400

See how The Academy for Global Citizenship in Chicago leveraged advanced HVAC systems and smart building design to lower energy bills, meet health goals, and create an environment that supports long-term facility management.

Guidelines for Engineering Project Management

hmckew@bss-consultant.com (Howard McKew, P.E., C.P.E.) — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 16:09:27 -0400

When a job financially “breaks even” or loses, because things didn’t go well, the likely culprit will be the project manager for not championing the project, writes Tomorrow's Environment columnist Howard McKew.

From Cooling Towers to Cost Savings: Hospital Seizes Power Saving Opportunity

Mon, 05 May 2025 15:23:00 -0400

Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, replaces its aging cooling towers — overhauling its entire mechanical system with advanced, low-maintenance technology.

Major Industry Groups Join Forces to Strengthen Plumbing and Construction Standards

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 10:36:04 -0400

The agreement, signed on April 15, 2025, brings together the ICC with the UA, which represents nearly 384,000 skilled trade workers across the United States and Canada.