Category: Heating and Cooling

For Thermal Heating Upgrades, Don’t Wait Until Winter

For facilities managers, the systems used to generate and store heat tend to be all-important—at least amidst plunging temperatures and bleak winter elements. As soon as outside conditions turn warm, thermal heating systems are more easily placed out of sight and out of mind. The sunny days of spring and early summer are no time […]

ASHRAE Guideline 36 and Advanced Tech Propel Industrial HVAC Decarbonization

American industries are facing growing pressure to modernize production methods and improve energy efficiency without compromising the bottom line. Now more than ever, it is important to drive research, development, and pilot-scale demonstrations within industrial projects, with plans to bolster confidence in the buildings space for further adoption of net-zero practices. When combined with standards […]

Can Replacing Battery-Powered IoT with RF Technology Help Boost ESG Goals?

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. As the U.S. smart building market reached $24.66 billion in 2024, the demand for Internet of Things (IoT)-driven automation continues to rise. From environmental sensors to access control systems, smart buildings rely heavily on […]

Integrating HVAC UV-C Disinfection Monitoring with Building Automation

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a central focus for commercial tenants, facilities managers, building owners, leasing agents, and property owners. One technology option for airstream and HVAC surface disinfection in this regard is ultraviolet energy in the C-band or germicidal wavelength (UV‑C). When incorporated into HVAC air handlers, UV‑C systems help inactivate airborne pathogens, […]

How Energy Management Helps Restaurants Serve Up Success

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. As the vice president of operations for over 30 Wendy’s locations, my No. 1 goal is to take care of our customers. For many of them, this means delivering a flawless Baconator or a […]

Smart Building Tech: A Strategic Line of Defense Against Rising Insurance Costs

Just as commercial real estate (CRE) began to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, the industry is now entering a new era of financial pressures. Driven by an uncertain economy, aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, and a more conservative insurance underwriting landscape, property insurance premiums are climbing at an alarming rate. In Q1 2024, commercial […]

Enjoy Tax and Energy Savings with the Right Ceiling Solutions

Thanks to recent innovation pairing mineral fiber ceiling panels with phase change material technology (PCM), architects, designers, facilities managers, and other key players in construction and renovation projects are rethinking the role ceilings play in supporting environmental objectives—especially energy savings. As a space warms—typically during the day when it is occupied or receives sunlight—the crystalized […]

Unlocking the Future of Commercial Facilities Through Occupancy Setbacks

Commercial office building owners are racing to make their properties smarter, more resilient, and more adaptive. The drive for greater energy efficiency and occupant comfort is intensifying, fueled by the need to deliver rapid returns on investment while navigating rising electricity and operational costs. Supporting Net-Zero Goals Occupancy setbacks have been identified as a powerful […]

The Not-So-Hidden Cyber Risks in Commercial Real Estate

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. As commercial real estate undergoes rapid digital transformation, driven by the need for greater sustainability, improved energy efficiency, and the evolving demands of hybrid work, the cybersecurity of building management systems (BMS) is becoming […]

A CRE Readiness Plan as Companies Enforce Return-to-Office Policies

Office vacancy rates have climbed sharply in the wake of the pandemic as many firms downsized office space due to remote work. Nationally, the United States office vacancy rate hovered around the high teens by late 2023 (nearly 17%–20%, up from roughly 9% pre-pandemic)​. Major city centers have been hit especially hard. These elevated vacancies […]