Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Using technology to make work more efficient is the reality in every industry, and it is necessary to help organizations succeed. But while some have embraced tech, others have been hesitant to implement it into their workflows. Facilities managers (FMs) may wonder how to effectively use technology for building operations, what tech skills and knowledge […]
The New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completed installation of energy-efficient LED lights throughout the National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Located at the World Trade Center in New York City and opened in 2014, the museum tells the story of 9/11 through media, narratives, and a collection of monumental and authentic artifacts, presenting […]
Smart buildings today are far more than a token contribution to sustainability or a clever way to save energy—they positively impact health, safety, and comfort. This shift in how we design and operate buildings comes as research increasingly links indoor environmental quality (IEQ) to human well-being and productivity. Modern technologies offer powerful tools to meet […]
Is your facility a bird-friendly building? If not, what steps can you take to help protect the winged wildlife? A research study published in PLOS ONE has uncovered alarming new evidence that building collisions are killing significantly more birds than previously estimated—well over 1 billion annually in the United States alone. The research, conducted by scientists at American Bird […]
When new and returning University of Georgia (UGA) students come to Athens for the fall semester, they will notice a series of highly visible initiatives to further strengthen campus security—from new signs and perimeter fencing to lighting upgrades, emergency call stations, and automated license plate readers, according to a university announcement. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors […]
Light plays a critical role in our ability to see via day and night vision. But just as important, nonvisual receptors in the eye regulate our internal body clock, sleep patterns, and overall well-being. Traditional lighting design primarily focuses on visual comfort, ambiance, and task illumination. However, recent scientific studies and technological advancements have introduced […]
The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completed installation of energy-efficient LED lights at New York City Police Department (NYPD) facilities. The nearly $17 million lighting replacements and retrofits will save the city government about $750,000 in annual energy and maintenance costs and will reduce […]
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 […]
Between extreme weather events, an aging power grid, and the transition to renewable energy, power interruptions are becoming a much greater risk in all parts of the country. Many will remember the highly publicized 2013 Super Bowl blackout when the power shut down the biggest game in American sports for 34 minutes, plunging the New […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened applications for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize, which will award $180 million for clean energy upgrades at public K-12 schools to lower costs and improve indoor air quality. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new round of funding builds on $178 million in grants awarded […]