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As the climate changes, will yours?

Global warming is a real phenomenon. Our climate is changing. The way buildings respond to this change will need to continually evolve. Alongside this, our social climate has also changed. Tenant expectations of what they consider to be a comfortable environment have moved with the times. Back in the 1970s, air conditioning was considered a…

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Do self-managing systems still need managers?

The promise of automation has always been that machines can take over the work we do as humans. While we are not quite at the sci-fi stage of autonomous buildings, many Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems now integrate a sophisticated Building Management System (BMS). These systems can take care of a range of…

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Is recycling and repurposing a responsible way to renew?

For anyone managing a building, change is inevitable. Building usage might change, such as office spaces repurposed for educational purposes. Tenants can change, bringing with them new requirements. Or the manufacturing process within a factory can change. All three examples mean rethinking the HVAC system that is currently in place, especially for a solution that’s…

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When is the cost of innovation worth paying?

Innovation is a popular buzzword in business but is often just used to mean ‘putting in something new’. When a building owner is faced with the need to upgrade or replace their HVAC systems, they will often be pitched an ‘innovative’ solution – but does it meet their true needs? In their eagerness to specify…

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Will regenerating your system regenerate your workplace?

Like any part of a building, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) have a finite lifespan. But upgrading the HVAC plant is often low on the priority list, below cosmetic changes or interior refits that appeal to current or potential tenants. While it’s not as instantly appealing as a paint job and new floor…

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Does a healthy building create a healthier business?

Ever started to get sick on a Monday, suffered all week, then found yourself bouncing back on the weekend? Or seen the same in your employees or co-workers? Jokes about ‘being sick of work’ aside, there can be a very real reason for these workplace blues. Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) is a recognised condition where…

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Can we upgrade our knowledge as well as our systems?

If you have a 20-year-old car, you can keep it running for a long time by replacing parts as they fail and keeping it serviced. But it is never going to be a brand-new car, with all the advances in fuel efficiency, comfort and performance that entails. A 20-year-old car was designed with the knowledge…

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What’s the secret to healthy buildings and happy tenants?

We don’t always think of people in mechanical terms. But our bodies are essentially a complex system, engineered to perform under a range of conditions. What makes the human system remarkable is that it can generally keep functioning as long as there is sufficient oxygen and a temperature that sits within a certain range. We…

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Supermarkets can have their cake and eat it too!

Newsflash: it is possible to reduce operating costs and improve the customer experience and sales all at the same time! In a nutshell, there is an opportunity for supermarkets to operate in a more sustainable way and improve energy efficiency (which leads to cost savings), just by integrating the design of their air conditioning and…