Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
How do we achieve net zero? This is a key question that facilities managers and other stakeholders are increasingly being required to ask themselves. The world is evolving, and a central piece in this evolution is the shift toward net-zero carbon emissions. This is a marked shift from 10 years ago, when the focus was […]
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the approval of 59 Smart Schools Investment Plans focused on reimagining education in an evolving age and boosting school security. The approved plans, totaling $27 million, are part of the $2 billion Smart Schools Bond Act, a sweeping education technology program established in 2014. Hochul said, “These investments not […]
In the facilities management and commercial real estate sectors, the disconnect between building owners and tenants can slow the switch to energy efficiency. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star® program, a significant portion of a building’s energy use is under the direct or indirect control of the occupants.
Rising costs and concerns about inflation have turned tenants and guests into savvy, budget-conscious consumers. Whether managing multifamily properties, office buildings, or hotels, facilities management professionals face increasing pressure to justify every dollar spent on amenities. Every offering must deliver real, measurable value that convinces tenants their money is well spent, regardless of the property […]
UBS Arena, home to the NHL’s New York Islanders, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Located on the historic grounds of Belmont Park, the entertainment and sports venue opened in November 2021 and is owned by the Oak View Group (OVG). “We are excited that UBS […]
The beauty of snow is one of the silver linings of cold winters in the northern U.S., but with sleet and ice added in, it may be a time when facilities managers put in more work. Snowfall may even sneak up on you in unexpected locales like it did on the Gulf Coast in January. […]
For hotels, dormitories, public housing, and assisted living facilities, balancing occupant comfort, energy, and cost-consciousness can take titanic effort. With buildings accounting for approximately 30% of final energy consumption globally and half of final electricity demand, the matter is even more pressing. Energy management thermostats offer a solution designed to address the balance of comfort […]
While facilities professionals who work in the public and private sectors are tasked with ensuring their facilities are ready when disaster strikes, increasing amounts of greenhouse gas (GHGs) have resulted in more destructive and extremely hot weather, which greatly impacts residents and businesses. Specifically, these conditions can severely impact the power grid. Municipalities should therefore […]
On April 12, the Biden administration finalized congressionally mandated energy efficiency standards for the most common residential and commercial lightbulbs. The standards will go into effect in July 2028 for newly produced bulbs. Over 30 years, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) projects the standards will save Americans more than $27 billion on their utility bills […]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program is celebrating over 25 years of achievements in lighting efficiency. The celebration comes as the ENERGY STAR label for most lighting is poised to sunset after a long, successful run and the recently enacted federal sales ban on incandescent bulbs. Since the ENERGY STAR label for […]