Category Archives: Sustainability

Bigger Isn't Always Better! Why Oversizing Packaged DX HVAC Equipment Isn't a Good Idea

By Rich Lindemon, PE, LEED AP It is very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that bigger is better when you consider something that you like or enjoy or that benefits you and those around you.  That super-sized value meal with the extra-large fries and drink must be better than the regular sized […]

Solar Design 101: The Basics

by Thomas Schubert, PE, Electrical Engineer Almost everyone in the building design industry has worked with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), a green building certification program. When it comes to new construction, the credit with the largest potential points is the building’s total energy usage (LEED v4 EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance). Even […]

Trying to Reduce Energy Consumption in Your Plant? Check These Two Important Components

By Timothy A. Warren, PE, LEED AP BD +C Continuing our conversation on industrial energy reduction that started here, we will discuss energy reduction for compressed air and pumping systems. Compressed air. This is probably the most expensive form of energy used in an industrial plant because of its poor efficiency – with an efficiency […]

Green Lighting Controls: Changing the Heart of the Culture

by Thomas Schubert, PE, Electrical Engineer Most people would agree that saving energy is a good thing. Unfortunately, a problem often occurs when we shift from principle into practice. Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly those individuals who turn off the lights when they leave a room, wear a sweater instead of turning up […]

Reducing Energy in Industrial Facilities

By Timothy A. Warren, PE, LEED AP BD+C The variety of systems and user requirements associated with manufacturing facilities present many challenges, one of which is energy reduction. With these challenges there is opportunity to be creative to find economical and efficient systems that will serve companies well for many years. Design professionals have a […]

The Energy Symphony: They Paved Paradise & Put Up a Parking Lot

by Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM Adapted from a presentation at the Central Penn Business Journal’s Real Estate & Development Symposium. Our finale of The Energy Symphony concludes with the topic of preservation and recycling. Most of us recycle aluminum cans, paper, and plastic and feel good about ourselves.  But if you really want to […]

The Energy Symphony: A Whole New World

by Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM Adapted from a presentation at the Central Penn Business Journal’s Real Estate & Development Symposium. Whether you are building new or undergoing a major renovation, this should be music to your ears: embrace Whole Building Design. This approach to project delivery integrates the project team from the very early […]

The Energy Symphony: Rock Down To…Electric Avenue

by Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM Adapted from a presentation at the Central Penn Business Journal’s Real Estate & Development Symposium. Here’s a great idea for improving your building’s energy efficiency, particularly if your building is of some size: hire an experienced professional to conduct an energy audit. They will: Analyze utility data & costs […]

The Energy Symphony: When You Wish Upon A Star

by Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM Adapted from a presentation at the Central Penn Business Journal’s Real Estate & Development Symposium. The next movement is all about being a star – an Energy Star. This program of the Environmental Protection Agency was originally created to reduce air pollution, but has now become the most recognizable […]

The Energy Symphony: We Don't Need No Education

by Scott D. Butcher, FSMPS, CPSM Adapted from a presentation at the Central Penn Business Journal’s Real Estate & Development Symposium. Did you know that occupants control as much as 70% of a building’s energy consumption? If you want to make your building more energy efficient, educate the building’s occupants about how to be smarter […]