Category: Energy Management and Lighting

Navigating NYC’s Building Decarbonization Law: From Compliance to Reality

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. New York City’s Local Law 97 (LL97) is often looked at as a hurdle for facilities managers and not as a strategic opportunity to improve for the future. As buildings over 25,000 square feet […]

Will the ENERGY STAR Program Survive?

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin is reconsidering plans to end the ENERGY STAR program, the New York Times reports. Marked by its well-known bright blue trademark logo, the ENERGY STAR label signifies government endorsement of energy efficient appliances, electronics and homes. The program is a public-private partnership administrated by the EPA with assistance from the […]

Joe on the Go: Hotel Marcel, the Greenest Hotel in America

On this episode of “Joe on the Go,” editor Joe Bebon visits Hotel Marcel, the greenest hotel in America. Architect and developer Bruce Redman Becker provides a behind-the-scenes look and discusses how he turned an abandoned and historic office building into a facility of the future. Watch now to learn about project challenges, upsides, and […]

A Metric that Matters: Modern Building Standards Start with Airtightness

A building can feature every visible marker of sustainability—efficient HVAC, LED lighting, smart appliances and controls, even solar panels—and still fall short. How is this possible? The answer is often hidden just out of sight: Lurking in cracks and gaps throughout a building’s envelope and HVAC system, uncontrolled air leakage is silently undermining nearly every […]

Toronto Child Care Facility Becomes City’s First Net-Zero Building

Toronto, Canada, is one facility closer to meeting its ambitious sustainability goals. Officials have celebrated the launch of Toronto’s largest city-run child care center and first net-zero building. At 19,000 square feet, the Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Center provides space for 98 children, including two infant rooms, three toddler rooms, and three […]

Strategic Energy Assessments: Turning Facilities into Profit and Power Assets

Today’s facilities managers are being asked to do more than maintain buildings—they’re being asked to manage energy like a balance sheet asset. Rising utility rates, aging infrastructure, and climate-driven disruptions have made it essential to look beyond efficiency toward operational resilience and financial performance. A strategic energy assessment is the gateway to achieving both. It […]

Why the Smartest Supermarkets Are Rethinking Refrigeration First

Refrigeration is the lifeline of every supermarket, underpinning food safety, product shelf life, and regulatory compliance. However, it’s also one of the costliest line items, often causing the largest share of a store’s energy use. Behind every chilled aisle and frozen display case lies a constant, energy-intensive effort to keep perishable products safe, fresh, and […]

With Future of Sustainability Incentives Uncertain, EaaS Emerges as Potential Lifeline

Editor’s note: FM Perspectives are industry op-eds. The views expressed are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect those of Facilities Management Advisor. National power consumption is projected to set new records in both 2025 and 2026, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), surpassing an all-time high reached just last year. At the same time, […]

How Heat Pump RTU Upgrades Can Drive Smarter Energy Use in Commercial Facilities

Amid rising electricity costs and a volatile macroeconomic environment, facilities managers and commercial building owners across the United States are seeking reliable, energy-efficient solutions that consistently support both employees and customers. One increasingly popular strategy is the installation of high-efficiency heat pump rooftop units (RTUs) to reduce energy consumption and improve overall building performance. Heat […]