The HVAC Factor Columnist

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This bi-monthly column addresses heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) topics as they relate to the duties of facility management. Industry experts write about timely topics regarding maintenance/operations strategies; equipment and service trends; and overall trends.
insulation-for-chilled-water-piping

The HVAC Factor: Insulation For Chilled Water Piping

With hot, humid climates as the focus, several types of chilled water pipe insulation were field tested.

HVAC Factor: Data Center Operations

Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is a metric for tracking systems efficiency. But, there’s more to measure in the data center.

The HVAC Factor: Systems Get A Break

At the University of Baltimore, a new facility features passive heating and cooling, and natural ventilation.
McLaurin is a product manager specializing in healthcare, laboratory, and cleanroom solutions at Titus HVAC (www.titus-hvac.com) based in Dallas, TX. He is an ASHRAE certified Healthcare Facility Design Professional as well as former mentee of the Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) Leadership U program.

The HVAC Factor: Hybrid Operating Rooms

As with traditional operating rooms, HVAC systems are crucial to the success of these emerging healthcare spaces.
Larsen

The HVAC Factor: Double Duty

HVAC systems may be the key to providing occupants with mobile connectivity in a facility.
Big Ass Fan

The HVAC Factor: Keeping Cool, Safely

For facilities that handle hazardous items, indoor air quality and comfort are challenges.
Lantz

The HVAC Factor: Standard Maintenance

The recently updated ACR standard from NADCA advises facility managers, and their contractors, on best practices.

The HVAC Factor: Keeping Steady With Geothermal

Temperature control was crucial for a research facility in North Carolina. From the October 2013 issue.
Smithart

The HVAC Factor: Spiral Round Ductwork

As an alternative to rectangular ducting, this approach is a more efficient delivery system when conditions are suitable. From the August 2013 issue.

The HVAC Factor: Wireless Thermostat Conversion

In Oakland, CA, an office building reduced energy use (and occupant complaints) with a retrofit to its pneumatic equipment. From the June 2013 issue.

The HVAC Factor: Boiler Maintenance

Proper temperature and debris buildup are two areas to focus on for plant efficiency. From the April 2013 issue.

The HVAC Factor: Thinking “Inside The Box”

Even when HVAC/R systems are operated efficiently, there is always room for improvement. The following 10 suggestions may help.

The HVAC Factor: Variable Refrigerant Flow

This heating and cooling strategy enables facility managers to implement tighter control on energy use and occupant comfort.

The HVAC Factor: Energy Recovery Ventilation

By installing this type of equipment, facility managers can meet (or exceed) required outdoor air ventilation rates without increasing energy consumption.

The HVAC Factor: How Does That Sound?

In education facilities, acoustical considerations can impact learning.

The HVAC Factor: Reducing Water Consumption

Changes to cooling tower operation and maintenance are one way to conserve this resource.

The HVAC Factor: Solar Hot Air

This technology reduces the energy other facility systems must expend for space heating.

The HVAC Factor: Greening Schools, One HVAC Step At A Time

School districts in Illinois are beginning to embrace the benefits of retrofitting and building new facilities with the most energy efficient HVAC available.

The HVAC Factor: Heading Off Trouble With Technology

Facility management staff can detect HVAC equipment problems sooner using automated tools. Here are five options to consider.

The HVAC Factor: Preventing Legionella

An upcoming ASHRAE Standard will require facilities to create an HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) plan.
Fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) webinar

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Optimizing operations, Hybrid Office

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In this free video webinar, learn how optimizing operations in an office building has taken on newfound significance in the era of hybrid work.

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