Weil I'm Thinking About It
'It’s the End of the World As We Know It'
When the rock band R.E.M. introduced its 1987 album, "Document"” to the world, one song stood out and quickly became, in my opinion, one of its most remarkable hits. The song, "It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)," is known for its quick-moving, stream-of-consciousness rant with a number of diverse political and historical references....
Say Goodbye to 2011, Hello to 2012
As I write this, the month of December is just getting under way and the year of 2011 is just about wrapped up. It’s a year that saw a lot of change, a year that, in some cases, didn’t rise to the level of our expectations and in other cases, simply surprised us. ...
Global Warming: A Lot of Hot Air?
Energy efficiency, environmental stewardism, "green" HVAC—we've been writing a lot about these topics, and you've been reading about them for several years now. Much of the focus on energy efficiency began as a way to stem our dependency, as a nation, on foreign energy sources (oil), but slowly evolved into a need to reduce the very negative impact of industrialization and carbon emissions into our atmosphere. ...
Is Everything Old Actually Green?
Once upon a time, in the early days of the 20th century, man built things to last. Commercial and residential buildings were constructed with stone or brick and roofed in slate. Until fairly recently, nobody thought of them as being "green." Now, there is talk circulating among architects and builders who praise such old buildings with regard to the envionmental benefits of working with them. ...
Smart Grid: It's A Matter of Perspective
Smart Grid is an international phenomenon that is mostly about upgrading the energy infrastructure—from how energy is produced, transmitted, and distributed to how it's used. The "smart" part is the use of intelligent devices that allow utilities to manage the grid more efficiently....
About What Do You Know the Three Es: Energy, Efficiency, and Economics?
From Manhattan to San Francisco, the commercial building infrastructure is aging and many building owners wrestle with how they will maintain them. They’re trying to spend dollars carefully in an effort to balance profits with tenant retention and property value. ...
Honoring Excellence in HVACR Engineering
Excellence in engineering—a concept that isn't new, not by a long shot, but something that rarely is recognized outside of academic and association/society circles. And though many engineers remain tied to societies and universities, the work they do every day for clients rarely is recognized in a national forum....
Climate Change of a Different Kind
Late in March, I participated in the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute's (AHRI) 2011 Media Roundtable and Public Policy Symposium...
Energy Is At The Heart Of It All
I suppose the key to all of this is the energy plan. In a nutshell, isn’t that exactly what we do in the commercial marketplace everyday? And the minute we, as an industry, think we have it all figured out, something changes: the law, the economy, the technology, the tools, the processes we use, everything....
Optimism to Ring in the New Year
Happy New Year, everyone. The doors have closed on 2010, and by all accounts, we've ended in a somewhat up mode. Economic pundits say that the economy is recovering slowly, the world financial markets are beginning to stabilize, and manufacturers in the HVAC industry have seen shipment improvements over the previous two years....
Smart Grid: Where Are We With This, Really?
The energy-conservation movement revolves around everything from carbon footprint to the energy efficiency of comfort systems for the home and workplace. It isn't only product-focused, but process-focused—from the types of raw materials used to build buildings, equipment, and tools to how waste is recycled and reused. And it includes the concept of a "smart grid" electrical-delivery system....
Is the Political Volume Turned up too High?
As I write this, the polls are closed and the Republicans managed to stage a political comeback. But here's the question: Was it just me, or did anyone else feel like this was the ugliest election year in memory? I'm certainly old enough to know that every election year has negative campaigning, but to me, this probably was one of the worst. ...
The Dust Is Finally Settling
As I write this, the staff is just back from Baltimore, where we hosted the annual HVACR Week seminar and product showcase event. ...
"Holy Ozone Layer, Batman!"
It's been some time since we've heard cries for help regarding the degradation of the Earth's ozone layer and subsequent doom of life as we know it. But apparently, the keening has begun again....
We Need More Green Buildings
Ten years ago, HPAC Engineering published an editorial on the impact of the growing population on America's infrastructure and our ability to feed, clothe, and employ the increasing number of people. Back then, our friends in the U.S. Census Bureau were predicting that by the year 2100, the population of this country would be around 571 million—more than double the population at that time (270 million)....
Seven Months and Counting ...
When I travel, I have an opportunity to meet many really smart people who have interesting viewpoints on the industry. Last month, I found myself in Fort Smith, Ark., visiting Baldor Electric Co. While on this visit, I learned something new (for me, anyway) about the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA)....
Are You the Smartest Design Engineer?
In the world of HVAC design, recognition for innovative and outstanding work can take many forms: awards, bonuses, raises, promotions, and even good old...
Optimism Is the Word of the Month
Last month, the HVAC industry packed its collective bags, boarded planes, cars, and buses; and headed to Orange County, Fla. For those of us from up north,...
2010: You Say You Want A Revolution
As the writing team of Lennon and McCartney said in their 1968 hit Revolution 1, We all want to change the world. Back then, it seemed the only way to...
The Times They Are A-CHANGIN'
At the close of our 81st year, HPAC Engineering and the entire HVAC industry breathe a sigh. Over the past two years, the country has been rocked by social,...
A Cooling Trend in Global Warming
In July 2006, HPAC Engineering published a guest editorial titled A Historic Opportunity, written by Edward Mazria, AIA, founder of Architecture 2030,...
Exceeding Customer Expectations Is JOB ONE
Last week was all about firsts. It was the first presentation of HVACR Week, a live seminar and trade-show event combining three meetings: the Engineering...
If You Don't Measure, You're Just GUESSING
It's no secret that there has been significant criticism of the certification process for the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC's) Leadership in Energy...
Nashville: Home of the First HVACR Week
They say some of the biggest and best innovations occur when our economy is in the throes of some kind of swing, usually a downward one. The birth of...
Revolutionizing Building Design: Get Ready
This year, EGB will co-locate with HVAC Comfortech (the industry's largest light-commercial/residential seminar and trade-show program) and the new Commercial HVACR Symposium (which is geared toward design/build contractors), creating the first annual HVACR Week. ...
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