Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Thinking about making energy upgrades at your facility? Try cashing in on tax deductions! The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the 179D Portal, which hosts two free tools to estimate potential federal tax deductions for installing eligible energy-efficient technologies in commercial buildings. Intended for commercial building owners, as well as designers of energy-efficient upgrades for […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) applications are rapidly expanding across industries, and the global data center industry plays a critical role in AI adoption and advancement. To meet the exponential data center demand, the sector is expected to grow at a “phenomenal pace” in 2025. That’s according to JLL’s 2025 Global Data Center Outlook, which explores how AI is […]
School custodians play a vital role in creating a successful learning environment—inside and outside the classroom. However, their extensive schedules and strenuous duties often go unnoticed. To honor exceptional school custodians, Cintas Corp. has launched its 12th annual Custodian of the Year contest and is seeking nominations from the public through Feb. 7. “Beyond cleaning and maintenance, […]
In 2022, the Biden administration announced the first Federal Building Performance Standard, a set of steps aimed at reducing energy consumption and electrifying equipment and appliances in federal buildings by 2030. While this plan represents significant strides toward sustainability, the path to carbon neutrality remains less defined. As climate change drives devastating global risks, including […]
Calvert County Public Schools in Maryland announced that its new Beach Elementary School building has been awarded LEED Silver status in recognition of the sustainable practices used during construction. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is among the most widely used green building […]
The power demands of artificial intelligence (AI) are growing exponentially, with no signs of slowing down. The International Energy Agency (IEA) suggests that by 2026, power consumption related to AI, cryptocurrency, and the data centers necessary to power our increasingly automated world could double. AI-driven demand is only one cause of rising energy prices. Power […]
Like many industries, facilities management has traditionally relied on labor-intensive tasks, where reactive responses to issues make up the bulk of the work. When it comes to managing maintenance schedules or tracking equipment performance, various inefficiencies and downtime can occur, which is where artificial intelligence (AI) agents can be impactful. Recently, a survey from Forbes […]
Wilkes County Schools (WCS) has become the first school district in Georgia with an all-green school bus fleet, serving its 25 daily bus routes exclusively with zero- and ultra-low-emission buses. Blue Bird Corp. recently delivered five electric and 12 propane-powered school buses to the district. WCS said its new fleet will significantly improve air quality for students and […]
Congratulations! You rocked 2024 by working hard and honing your skills. With a new year upon us, do you plan to become an even better facilities manager in 2025? In Part 1 of this series, a handful of past “Faces of Facilities” guests shared their New Year’s resolutions. If you haven’t yet picked a goal […]
Covering everything from maintenance and security to technology and construction, 2025 predictions abound in the facilities management industry. But what do facilities managers, themselves, hope to accomplish in the new year? The start of every year represents an opportunity for new beginnings or ambitious goals. Given how demanding and all-encompassing facilities management can be, even […]