Tag: commercial buildings

Better Buildings Initiative Reaches $18.5 Billion in Energy Savings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published the “2023 Better Buildings Initiative Progress Report,” which summarizes the achievements of the DOE’s Better Buildings public- and private-sector partners since the initiative’s inception in 2011. The report shows that partnering entities, including more than 900 businesses, state and local governments, utilities, housing authorities, and other organizations, […]

Commercial Real Estate Occupiers Increase Spending on Tech Solutions

A new report from JLL finds commercial real estate (CRE) occupiers are “willing to put their money where the tech is,” with over 80% of companies increasing technology budgets despite a challenging operating environment. According to JLL’s 2023 Global Real Estate Technology Survey, 91% of occupier respondents are willing to pay a premium for tech-enabled space […]

Which U.S. Cities Are Leading the Uptick in Office Conversions?

Office conversions in the U.S. are on pace to more than double their recent annual average this year, with momentum picking up due to increased incentives and other support from state and local governments, according to new insight from CBRE. CBRE analyzed the number of office conversions in major U.S. cities since 2016 and found nearly 100 projects […]

DOE Offering $400M for States to Update Building Energy Codes

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released program guidance and opened applications for $400 million in formula funding to states and territories for adopting and implementing building energy codes that reduce utility bills, increase efficiency, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and make buildings more resilient to climate disasters. “A transition to a clean energy economy […]

How California Can Slash Carbon from Building Materials

The carbon emissions associated with materials used in the built environment, referred to as “embodied carbon,” are estimated to contribute up to 11% of all global energy-related carbon emissions. According to a new report from sustainable development consultancy Arup, developed on behalf of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), California is one of the first states in […]

Facilities Benefit from U.S. Department of Energy Grants

While facilities managers in many governmental entities, organizations, and companies want to make sustainability upgrades to their facilities, many lack the funding or education to do so, but help is available thanks to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant funds, a topic that was discussed during a recent CityAge Houston online event called “Decarbonizing America’s […]

Employee Behavior Has Changed: What Does It Mean for Facility Maintenance?

As the modern workplace has evolved to become more flexible in recent years, the building and facility teams behind these spaces have been pushed to adapt alongside them. With the day-to-day uncertainties of the COVID era largely in the rear view, most organizations have implemented policies to give direction to their workforce on the company’s […]

The Pros and Cons of AI in Facility Management

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly securing a foothold in the facility management space. A quick Google search for “AI tools for facility management” will produce a host of companies offering AI-driven tools to help with everything from maintenance management to space optimization. Facility managers who are eager to exploit the benefits of AI-driven tools should […]

Tile and Grout Cleaning Best Practices: Beyond Appearances

Maintaining clean and hygienic tile and grout surfaces in commercial facilities is essential not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for the overall health and safety of occupants. However, it is crucial to recognize the difference between cleaning for appearances and cleaning for true effectiveness. In this article, we will explore the best practices for […]

Energy Efficiency ‘More Critical Than Ever’ as Power Grid Decarbonizes

As power generation shifts to clean energy, using electricity more efficiently will be critical for reducing costs, averting blackouts, and cutting pollution, according to a new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The group evaluated five U.S. grid regions (California, Texas, the Pacific Northwest, the Southeast, and the Midwest) and found that […]