A portion of the new Vancouver Convention Center environmentally friendly, lush, 6 acre green roof.

Eco-friendly Roofing Options, Part One: Green Roofs

January 23, 2019

Vegetative, or green, roofs have been around for years, and have long offered promises of energy savings, reductions in storm-water runoff, beautification, and LEED points. However, many facilities have hesitation going green. This is partially due to fear of the …

Tagged: energy efficiency

Electric meters in a row measuring power use. Electricity consumption concept. 3d illustration

The benefits of electric submetering

September 19, 2018

More and more facility managers (FM) want to know how and where electricity is being used within their facility, and they are turning to electric submetering. Submetering can help facility professionals better understand their energy profiles, optimize performance, increase reliability, …

Tagged: energy efficiency

Man and woman with documents in an office, smiling, close up

Human-centric lighting delivers improved productivity

June 20, 2018

In 2001, scientists identified a third photoreceptor—in addition to rods and cones—in the human eye. These photoreceptors are linked to our 24-hour body clocks (i.e., circadian rhythms, which affect our daily mental, physical, and biological changes). Thanks to their discovery, …

Tagged: energy efficiency

Modern LED strip lamp mounted on ceiling

Tubular LEDs: Are they worth it?

June 13, 2018

Designed to replace fluorescent lamps, tubular LEDs, or TLEDs, are becoming a popular choice for facility managers around the country. But are they a better solution than fluorescent light bulbs?   Today’s fluorescent lighting technology is very efficient. If you …

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Air Conditioning Technician and A part of preparing to install new air conditioner.

Is it time to repair or replace your HVAC?

January 3, 2018

According to the EPA, HVAC systems make up approximately 38 percent of facilities’ energy use. Another statistic states replacing an HVAC system that is more than 10 years old can save a facility as much as 20 percent or more …

Tagged: energy efficiency

Businessman with briefcase walking in minimalistic interior with blank wall. Mock up, 3D Rendering

Green Products, Part One: The Wool-Based “Smart Wall”

October 18, 2017

Walls have lagged behind in terms of efficiency and technology. According to Lucas Johnson, a Seattle-based consultant for 475 High Performance Building Supply:   Most walls are built with toxic materials and end up being vapor retarded or, in many …

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Interior of walkways and skylight in modern office building

Daylighting can save you 33%

August 9, 2017

Daylighting is the practice of allowing a controlled amount of natural light into a building to reduce electric lighting costs. A daylighting system includes skylights and windows along with a daylight-responsive lighting control system. Such a system can reduce energy …

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Blue metal roof on an industrial building.

Green Retrofitting, Part Two: Cool Metal Roofing

July 12, 2017

This is part two in an ongoing series that will explore ways in which facilities can affordably retrofit to recoup energy costs and help the environment. This month we are focusing on cool metal roofing.   Metal roofs have been …

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Futuristic office building

Green Retrofitting, Part One: Window Film

June 28, 2017

Get ready to have your mind blown. According to a study by the Electric Power Research Institute, energy-related expenditures costs companies $800 billion annually in the US. And what’s more, nearly 42% of heating and cooling energy is wasted. The …

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Directly Below Shot Of glass Skylight in a modern building.

The energy and LEED benefits of reflective roof coatings

April 19, 2017

A facility in coastal Texas had a major problem. The roof of its 1,000,000 square foot facility had multiple, persistent leaks caused by high heat, humidity, UV degradation, and tropical storm damage. The leaks were so bad they caused work …

Tagged: energy efficiency