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Restaurants and commercial kitchens are notoriously one of the largest consumers of energy per unit of floor area. Moreover, the kitchen ventilation system is often the largest energy-consuming component in [...]

The article discusses how societal expectations push students towards traditional four-year degrees over vocational paths like HVAC, using a TikTok video as an example to advocate for more engaging career guidance through compelling storytelling.

The article highlights the importance of considering total energy usage in commercial water heating technology for engineers aiming at decarbonization goals. It discusses the rising interest in heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) among specifying engineers, the need for hybrid solutions to balance energy costs and grid strain, and the industry's shift towards providing resources and education to support energy-efficient practices.

GEORGIA TECH GUARANTEES ENERGY SAVINGS WITH HVAC OPTIMIZATION In 2016, Georgia Institute of Technology received permission from the state of Georgia to enter into a guaranteed $7.7 million energy savings [...]

By its very nature, the engineering profession is based on the constant search for new and better ways of accomplishing a task; however, there also is a well-known human tendency [...]

A colleague of mine was the project manager on a commissioning project for a build-out at a five-story, 150,000-sq-ft laboratory building at a large university. The commissioning team was finding [...]

For those who design in BIM/CAD, manufacturer-provided content is widely viewed as being superior to generic, out-of-the box content when planning and designing a project. The data embedded within manufacturer-provided [...]

The article focuses on ClearSeas Research survey offers a definitive look at the state of engineering compensation. Topics discussed include Google search for the "average mechanical engineering salary" provides quite a rabbit hole of responses; and according to Salary.com, the average annual pay for an HVAC engineer in the U.S. is $70,572. Zip Recruiter reports the average salary.

San Francisco's Moscone Center is a main driver for local economic growth, generating more than 20 percent of the city's tourism economy, according to the San Francisco Travel Association. As [...]

SPRING 2018 NEW 16 PAGE BROCHURE HIGHLIGHTS ALL OF TJERNLUND'S DRAFT & VENTILATION PRODUCTS 16-page brochure includes selection guidance & basic specifications on complete line of residential/commercial exhaust, ventilation, transfer [...]

Commercial kitchen ventilation (CKV) has been a challenge to mechanical engineers for years. Part of the challenge comes from the fact that the mechanical engineer is normally not the 'kitchen [...]

Budgets, codes, and technologies are constantly shifting and evolving. These days, even the classrooms are often portable. Staying one step ahead will depend on your knowledge of current design options [...]

In the maze of specification choices, the customer's specific needs should still guide the design. Footprints and retrofits, associated pump/valve costs, and application type all point toward condensing or not, [...]

Retrofit projects are opportunities to renew the life of a building and the utilities within that building. Many engineers enjoy retrofit projects. However, the work can be both challenging and [...]

The article highlights the value of learning from diverse Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) engineering practices encountered during travel, encouraging professionals to broaden their perspectives. Topics discussed include the significance of observing regional variations, embracing different approaches to HVAC system design, and the learning opportunities presented by diverse geographical locations.

The article announces that Amy Al-Katib has joined the Engineered Systems team as the new editor-in-chief.

The article reports that designing a hospital or outpatient medical facility can be challenging with the need to adhere to codes and guidelines. At the most basic level, engineers who design health care facilities are responsible for ventilation and occupant comfort but also for taking into account the chemical, physical, and biological contaminants that are present in a health care environment.

The article discusses the risks faced by heating and ventilation engineers in failing to measure, monitor, and control airflow directly. Topics include the need for engineers to use clear and concise terms when writing contract documents, the importance of providing an airflow measurement product, and the common concerns about airflow measuring, monitoring, and controlling.

How is variable refrigerant flow (VRF) working for you? We asked a number of people that question and summarized the findings from two typical facilities here. The first case is [...]

Radiant systems have a hot and cold reputation. They provide comfort across a broad range of conditions yet require rigorous, detailed control to accommodate thermal lag and avoid moisture problems. [...]

Earthquakes and strong gusts are threats in the physical world that creep into the HVAC design world of isolators, supports, and special louver considerations. Furthermore, a new legal world in [...]

Designing HVAC systems for government buildings covers a spread of occupancies that range from office spaces to laboratories, detention facilities, high security areas, data centers, and military bases. Long life [...]

Since 1914, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME's) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) has served as a worldwide model for assuring the safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of [...]

This month's B2B will focus on the addition of a 100-ton, year-round cooling tower addition as standby to an existing, older cooling tower serving a process cooling system in a [...]

Building owners, managers, and industry professionals widely recognize that fire dampers, smoke dampers, and combination fire/smoke dampers are essential to any active fire protection and smoke control system. People responsible [...]

There's no denying that fire and smoke control design has become a team sport. Life safety in general has grown more sophisticated and gained a higher profile in recent years [...]

Once upon a time, each person came in, did a specific job, and voile, a 'finished' fire and smoke control system. Those days are gone like smoke up an exhaust [...]

The article offers information on several changes made in facilities along with challenges faced by engineers in replacing them. Topics discussed include Ranor Mechanical recommended LG's Water Source VRF system to The Mill at Dover-Foxcroft, Maine to eliminate need for intrusive ductwork; replacement of boiler in a soft drink manufacturer in Florida along with the increase in productivity; and High Temperature Heating & Ventilation technology in retail firm to reduce cost.

The article focuses on the concept of recurring patterns in nature, such as the Fibonacci series, and explores how engineers can apply these patterns to improve the design of mechanical systems for energy efficiency and optimal performance. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing the principles of unified design theory in the built environment.

The article reports that Legence, owned by private investment banking company Blackstone and an Energy Transition Accelerator, has acquired Shadpour Consulting Engineers Inc., design-build mechanical contracting firm Trinity Process Solutions Inc. and mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering solutions provider KLOK Group. Focus is given on the significance of the acquisition to strengthening Legence's expertise in decarbonization of the built environment and sustainability services.

The article offers insights on approaching network security in a cost-effective way in 2023. Topics covered include the necessary assumption that network security has already been hacked for simplicity and economy, the sound isolation of building automation systems from the web, a security design that would slow down break-in if the system gets breached. Also noted is the importance of an emergency contact person, up-to-date controller backups, and network diagrams for continuing operations.

Data centers have complex mechanical and electrical designs with unique performance and reliability needs. Unique BMS and approaches are required in order to optimize the control, monitoring, and operation of [...]

RenewAire has introduced the DN Series, a non-compressorized, fully-integrated dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) using ERV with static plate enthalpy core technology. The company states the DN Series is designed [...]

I was at a conference at the end of April, and we were discussing new ways to deliver customer outcomes utilizing technology. The topic then shifted to how to utilize [...]

This is a story about two new construction commissioning projects with similar challenges and as-yet unwritten endings. The first project is one in which the commissioning professional was engaged before [...]

THE BLUEPRINT Every successful project starts with a framework. A vision statement. A blueprint. The editors of Engineered Systems are proud to introduce The Blueprint--a recurring Q&A interview with HVACR [...]

Last month, I discussed the benefits of HVAC infrastructure design-build (DB) opportunities for HVAC consulting firms and HVAC contractors. The two main reasons for pursuing DB HVAC infrastructure projects were [...]

When a building is found to be consuming excess energy, the next step is usually an energy audit followed by retro-commissioning of the HVAC system. If available, an infrared scan [...]

The design engineer shall check off the boxes from the list of the company's standardized field observation checklists below that she will need to upload to her tablet computer prior [...]

HVAC VIDEO ON DEMAND Come see some of the amazing innovations presented on the floor of the 2019 AHR Expo in Atlanta courtesy of our video booth tours. Catch the [...]

The design engineer shall check off the boxes from the list of company's standardized field observation checklists below that he will need to upload to his tablet computer prior to [...]

CREDIT WHERE IT'S DUE You should swing by our Continuing Education Center. Peruse the Course Library with offerings from Engineered Systems, The ACHR NEWS, Mission Critical, Engineering News-Record, and PM [...]

Constructing a building takes an army. Designers, engineers, general contractors, flooring installers, HVAC contractors, plumbers, roofers, mappers, and surveyors are just a few of the blue-collar experts necessary to optimize [...]

This month's Facility File is based on a new 40,000-square-foot office building HVAC system using VRF heat pump equipment with a focus on the Back2Basics Febtuary test. The project will [...]

The design engineer shall check off the boxes from the list of company's standardized field observation checklists below that he will need to upload to his tablet computer prior to [...]

FEB 10-14 Cooling Technology Institute 2019 Annual Conference New Orleans https://www.coolingtechnology.org/expo FEB. 17-23 National Engineers Week - National Society of Professional Engineers Nationwide https://www.nspe.org/resources/partners-and-state-societies/national-engineers-week FEB. 21 Discover E - Introduce [...]

We are starting a new year, and I believe the HVAC consulting engineers responsible for design engineering need to make a change in 2019 as to how HVAC systems are [...]

Over the next 40 years, an estimated 2 trillion square feet of new and rebuilt building space will be constructed worldwide. That's the equivalent of adding one New York City [...]

This month I am continuing with another walking tour, this time a chiller plant. This tour can also be an annual or semi-annual training tour, too. It's important to note [...]