Category: Heating and Cooling

The Fundamentals Still Win: What New IAQ Data Means for Facility Leaders

Facilities managers know the drill. The thermostat complaint arrives before the morning coffee gets cold. Someone is always too hot, someone else is always too cold, and the ticketing system fills up with grievances about stuffy air and odd smells. It can feel like an endless, unwinnable battle. A new national survey suggests those complaints […]

How HVLS Fans Improve Workplace Comfort and Reduce Facility Costs

Employee discomfort, rising energy bills, and an HVAC system that’s constantly working overtime are common challenges in large facilities, with poor air circulation being the leading factor. Facilities that incorporate HVLS (high-volume, low-speed) fans can balance temperatures, improve occupant comfort, and reduce operating costs without requiring infrastructure alterations. The HVAC Is Running, and the Space […]

Back to Basics: Facility Cleaning for Seasonal Change

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. As the seasons change, facilities often experience a buildup of residue, wear, and debris from shifting weather conditions and daily traffic. Increased foot traffic, moisture, outdoor elements, and the spread of germs can quickly lead to visible […]

When Your Hot Water System No Longer Matches the Building’s Needs

Before a new commercial building is commissioned, there is typically a lot of thought that goes into hot water demands. Water heating systems are designed to accommodate the building’s projected usage patterns, taking into account factors like occupancy and fixture counts. Such planning is foundational, yet it may be insufficient for meeting the building’s needs […]

5 Questions Facilities Managers Should Ask Before Trusting AI with HVAC Optimization

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.  Artificial intelligence (AI) is showing up in more conversations about HVAC energy savings. That is not surprising. Heating and cooling are expensive, controls data is increasingly available, and many buildings still have room for […]

Back to Basics: How Smart Sensors and AI Work Together

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Smart buildings do much more than automate routine tasks. Today, facilities management teams can combine smart sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) to create workplaces that operate more efficiently, safely, and intelligently. This combination is known as the […]

FMA Shorts: What Are Some Top AI Uses for Facilities Management?

On this latest episode of FMA Shorts, James Waddell, an AI expert from Cognitive Corp., discusses common ways the futuristic tech can help improve facilities management. This clip was taken from a webinar titled “AI-Powered FM: Unlocking Tangible Results.” The full session is available for FREE on-demand here.

Back to Basics: The Role of HVAC Coils in Improving Indoor Air Quality and Humidity Control

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. One of the key benefits of an HVAC system is that it can manage cooling, heating, and ventilation in an integrated system with minimal day-to-day input from facilities managers. It keeps a space cool, warm, and ventilated in […]

AI‑Powered HVAC: The First Step Toward Future‑Ready Buildings

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.  HVAC is fundamental to keeping commercial spaces safe, comfortable, and productive. Yet with soaring energy bills, increasingly erratic weather patterns, and much tougher building performance benchmarks, facilities managers must balance strict temperature and air-quality […]

If You Neglect Boiler Maintenance Now, It Could Cost You Later

While boilers may not be top of mind over the warmer summer months, Goodway Technologies is sharing a reminder that skipping boiler maintenance before the weather starts cooling down again can lead to unnecessary costs and potential repairs. Even just 1/8” of scale can increase fuel consumption by 8%, leading to significant financial losses for facilities that […]