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2008 Articles

Power Supply

There is high demand for backup power solutions, and there are many requirements that should be addressed before purchasing decisions are made.

Maintaining Order When The Power Goes Out: A Look At Healthcare Facilities

It's a startling statistic: lack of regular maintenance is the single greatest cause of failure of emergency power engine generators.

Making For A Brighter Future

Proper lighting maintenance can help save energy and money.

Powering Through The Data Center

Focusing on four major areas can contribute to successful power design in mission critical facilities.

Tricks of the Trade: Reducing Our Energy Consumption

In order to reduce our energy consumption, I have proposed installing passive infrared occupancy sensors (PIR) in places such as restrooms, conference rooms, and some offices. I calculated the return on investment (ROI) to be less than one year. The response to my proposal was instead to place labels at light switches asking everyone to turn off the lights when leaving the room. Is there any evidence that I can use to show that this suggested method will not work effectively? Can I depend on employees turning off lights simply by being asked? More important, is there any study to support the use of PIR sensors?

Toward An Energy Management Plan

Tackling the escalating issue of energy consumption and costs may take resolve.

Record Year In 2007 For Energy Star Facilities

Among those joining the list was JCPenney, the first big box retailer to earn the designation from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Reinventing Light

New economic and environmental realities are pushing lighting technology into the next generation.

Chilling Out

When this manager was tasked with finding more efficient chillers for the Regina General Hospital in Saskatchewan, Canada, efficiency and low life cycle costs were his primary requirements.

Tricks of the Trade: Redundancies for mission critical facilities

Which of the following is not an example of redundancies for mission critical facilities?
a. A diesel generator;
b. Storage for potable water;
c. Storage for mechanical system make-up water; or
d. All of the above.

Sustainable Energy Production

Consider these D-I-Y energy generation options

That’s What I Like About LEED

The new year is revealing an optimistic side of Jeff Crane


2007 Articles

Energy Savings

Conservation can be considered a story in two part harmony.

The Color Of Energy

Before making purchases, facility managers need to define what “green” means for their facilities.

Fuel Trends In Standby Power Generation

Gaseous and bi-fuel gensets offer alternatives to diesel.

Waste Management And Ralph Waldo Emerson

What does this 19th century writer have to do with recycling?

Water: Put It Aside For A Non-Rainy Day

As demand for this natural resource continues to increase, facilities might consider rainwater harvesting to ensure supply.

Summer School

Electricity and reliability are hot topics during the imaginary “recess” of summer.

Why Recycle Used Bulbs?

Careful lamp disposal methods can help keep harmful mercury out of the air.

Existing Buildings In Cities Focus Of New Program

The Clinton Climate Initiative Is Working With Locations Around The World To Increase Energy Efficiency

LEED-EB Changes On The Horizon

The USGBC’s rating system for existing buildings is getting a major overhaul.

Did He Say “Pedal Power?!”

There are hidden energy savings in every facility...sometimes you just have to look for them.

Chemical Free Water Treatment

With conservation at the heart of the John G. Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL, Brad Popovich was searching for a way to eliminate waste and save on energy costs. The system he found accomplished both goals.

Financial Aid Available For Renewable Energy

Budget restrictions shouldn’t curtail consumption control projects.

Keeping Mold Away With Moisture Control

Measures taken during the construction and operations stages will help minimize this threat to healthy indoor air quality.

Outdoor Lighting: Brighter Not Always Better

Regulations on the amount, quality, and type of exterior illumination for buildings are increasingly relevant for facility managers.

Disaster Cometh...Or Not!

It’s the end of the world as we know it, again!


2006 Articles

When The Heat Was On This Summer, Demand Response Programs Delivered

This month, guest columnist Michael Gordon writes about how energy consumers in New York City were able to curtail their electric usage this past summer during periods of record demand. As participants in the city’s Emergency Demand Response Program, these organizations helped to keep the grid up and running.

Don’t Overlook Leaking Door Closers

More than maintenance is at stake when standard hardware gets messy.

Energy Savings Across The Board

Since 2000, a comprehensive conservation approach has resulted in millions of dollars in savings for Trizec Properties.

Light Bright

There’s now an intelligent approach to lamp maintenance, disposal, and performance.

Setting A Timetable: The 2030 Challenge

A new initiative to reduce the use of fossil fuel energy has been adopted by mayors across the U.S.—with municipal assets first on the list.

Solar Power Installation Steps Up Energy Strategy

A warehousing operation in California’s Napa Valley is finding success using energy from the sun.

When Specifying Insulation, What Should You Know

While insulation is just one part of the building envelope package, knowing this performance characteristic can help in decision making.

Choosing An Efficient Lighting System

Employee productivity, improved energy consumption, and overall safety are just a few of the factors to benefit from carefully planned lighting.

Combined Heat And Power Helps Fuel Convention Center

Convention center uses on-site power generation to produce clean energy that also reduces utility bills.

Refrigerant Phase Outs: What Do They Mean To Facilities?

What options will facility professionals have as CFC and HCFC production declines?

Energy Efficient LEDs Show Promise For Niche Facility Applications

This lighting source is making inroads in practical building installations.

Wind Energy Helps One Business Stay True To Its Mission

Tom’s of Maine is up and running with this renewable power source.

Hybrid Chiller Plant Meets The Needs Of An Evolving Building

The State of Massachusetts saves money on energy bills through a creative approach to HVAC system improvements.

From Currents To Currency

Facility managers can combat energy prices—and even generate revenue—through demand response programs.

Energy From The Earth Heats And Cools A Historic Building

When the time came to overhaul its approach to heating and cooling, the City of Auburn, NY found success with a geothermal system.

Research At Rensselaer May Lead To A Building Envelope That Earns Its Keep

A prototype of an “active building envelope” developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute holds promise for heating and cooling in the future.

Rejuvenating HVAC

By integrating and updating existing HVAC systems, facility managers can realize energy savings and make better use of their facilities’ resources.

2005 Articles

Knowing The Options Can Help To Reduce Energy Costs

As the energy market evolves, so have the options that facilities have to control these costs

Energy Performance Contracts Address Deferred Maintenance

Faced with tight budgets, the utilities manager at an Illinois public university found these contracts would help further his goal to increase systems efficiency.

Getting A Handle On Energy Costs

What can facility managers do about rising prices? One solution is to purchase their energy with the most cost effective strategy available.

Let The Sun Shine In

A daylighting system installed at a Patagonia warehouse and distribution center in Reno, NV reduces energy bills and increases productivity.

Resourceful Reduction

Efforts to lessen the environmental impact of a facility can take on many forms.

Save Water While Quenching Cooling Towers

With proper infrastructure and treatment in place, reusing water can be a viable option for a facility.

Cooling System Cuts Costs And Consumption

Thermal energy storage is helping to reduce energy costs for one Colorado school district.

A Look Into Wind Energy

With renewable energy sources gaining more attention, power from the wind is one to consider.

Dimming The Lights

Lighting with individual controls is saving energy and money in a multi-function data center.

Batteries: The Weakest Link?

Strengthen UPS systems with informed maintenance.

Bulb Recycling

By diverting waste from landfills, facility managers can help the environment and move toward sustainability.

Dual Fuel And The SUV

By using a mixture of diesel and natural gas, facility managers can cut down energy costs.

Reducing Costs And Increasing Comfort

It's no spring break for David Norvell, energy manager for the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Over the past year, Norvell has dealt with fixed improvement budgets, rising fuel costs, sensitive customers, and ruthless weather conditions. Yet, he still gets enthusiastic when he discovers innovative energy saving strategies. He even shares his innovations for free!

Lightening The Load

The rising efficiency of new lighting sources make for an attractive alternative to traditional options.

2004 Articles

A Case For Energy Management

Facilitating Energy Efficiency In A Government Building.

Sunny Side Up! - Energy Perspective

Photovoltaics offer an alternative energy solution.

2003 Articles

Energy Management: A Charged Debate

Heady debates on energy issues are abound in the corporate boardrooms and corridors of Congress.

Light Brings Power

Studies reveal causal link between personal control of lighting with employee satisfaction and performance.

Spring Check-up For Centrifugal Chillers

"Tuning up" centrifugal chillers now will yield fewer service calls, improved comfort, and reduced energy use throughout cooling season.

Lighting For LEED™

Lighting design is integral to sustainable design. Lighting designers have long advocated the importance of lighting quality and energy efficiency-key elements in green buildings. Increasingly, lighting manufacturers are providing equipment that helps meet sustainable design goals.

The Science Of Selecting An Energy Service Company (ESCO)

As energy-related issues increase in complexity, many companies are seeking outside expertise in the form of an energy service company (ESCO).

2002 Articles

Energy Management: How To Reduce Costs

As part of the magazine’s ongoing coverage of The TFM Show (formerly Facility Forum), this feature showcases one 2002’s informative pre-conference roundtables. Moderated by Donna Clapp, editor-in-chief of Business Facilities, this column includes questions asked by members of the audience and answers provided by the session’s roundtable of experts , including John Doran of DENSO Sales California, Dave Troyan of The Trane Co., and Pam Rose of Honeywell.

Lighting Trends

What's the latest dirt from lighting manufacturers? Craig DiLouie uncovers the industry's emphasis on maintenance, manual dimming, and white LED technology.