The Limitations of Remote Building Audits

remote audits

Ryan Pollin for Zondits, January 26, 2016. Image credit: Skitterphoto Last month I wrote an article titled The Potential of Remote Building Audits, which outlined some inventive methods for deciphering building energy consumption patterns and identifying energy efficiency measures without entering the building. Like autonomous vehicles, remote audits are being used today in simple and predictable … Read more

A Bathroom Humidity Solution

bathroom humidity

Daniel Stewart for Zondits, January 26, 2016. Image credit: Dean McCoy Winter wreaks havoc on my skin, particularly on my hands, which crack if I don’t keep them slathered with lotion. This seasonal affliction got me thinking about indoor humidity levels and what can (and should) be done about them. Recently, I came across an article … Read more

Cold Storage Savings Opportunities in Data Centers

cold storage

Rise of the machines Rac Plus, January 6, 2016. Image credit: Dennis van Zuijlekom In June 2015, a study by Jonathan Koomey and Jon Taylor confirmed the view that a great deal of the servers inside the data centres are just consuming electricity, while not being used or accessed in any way. The study concluded that … Read more

Revealing the Impact to EER From Bypass Zone Systems

EER energy efficiency ratio

New Study Shows No Negative Impact to EER Using Bypass Zone Systems ACHR News, January 25, 2016. Image credit: geralt The Zone Control System Technology (ZCST) Product Section of the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has released the results of a field study that evaluated the impact on the energy efficiency ratio (EER) of … Read more

Is HR 8 a Comprehensive Energy Bill?

Energy Bill a ‘Mixed Bag’ for HVAC ACHR News, January 11, 2016. Image credit: InspiredImages On Dec. 3, 2015, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a comprehensive 275-page energy bill that aims to modernize the country’s energy infrastructure, bolster the energy and manufacturing workforce, increase America’s energy security and diplomacy, and promote energy efficiency and … Read more

Incandescent Lighting’s Hail Mary

incandescent lighting

Ryan Pollin for Zondits, January 18, 2016. Image credit: MIT Image/Ognjen Ilic LED lighting is the best we’ve got, and it’ll stay that way for some time. But, our best and brightest physicists have been up to some very neat tricks in the laboratory, making progress on even more efficient lighting. Researchers at Purdue and MIT … Read more

Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies for Buildings

Buildings Energy Efficiency

Valerie Eacret for Zondits, January 15, 2016. Image credit: Haldane Martin The Building Technologies Office significantly increased the federal funding available for emerging technology through the “Building Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovations Technologies (Benefit) – 2016,” from $8 million to $20 million. The number of anticipated awards has also increased. See the amendment of the Funding … Read more

The Smart Home Takes Center Stage at CES 2016

smart home CES 2016

Cameron Kinney for Zondits, January 14, 2016. Image credit: Chris Potter Last week at CES 2016 in Las Vegas, some 3,600 companies descended upon the desert city to unveil and behold the latest and greatest in consumer electronics technology with hopes of finding the next big thing. While drones, electric cars, and virtual reality headsets were … Read more

Lighting and Indoor Agriculture

indoor agriculture

Todd Winner for Zondits. January 12, 2016. Image credit: fotobias The retail marijuana market is booming. Among the 23 states that have legalized cannabis for medicinal purposes, as well as the 4 states (and Washington D.C.) that have legalized cannabis for recreational use, the demand is rising. And with other states currently looking to legalize … Read more

Ecovent’s Automation Suite Tells Homeowners Where to Save Energy

Ecovent

CES 2016: Want Your Home to Tell You Where It Can Be More Energy Efficient? PSFK, January 4, 2016. Image credit: Ecovent In 2015, Ecovent won the CES Home Automation Product of Year for its intelligent home zoning system, giving homeowners room-by-room temperature control. This year, HVAC and Automation company will be providing an early … Read more