The Latest

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  Is climate-responsive paint a future reality?

  An inventor used thermochromic pigment to create paint that darkens in cold weather and lightens in warm weather, resulting in interior temperature changes that could curb building energy costs, CNN reports.

  Sustainability

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  Carrier completes DOE cold climate heat pump challenge

  The HVAC maker says its unit is capable of operating at 100% heating capacity down to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

  Technology

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  ‘Earn-and-learn’ programs such as apprenticeships benefit workers and employers, GAO says

  Employers cited barriers such as administrative burden and cost, but some federal agencies have launched new initiatives to address these challenges.

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  Honeywell launches Connected Solutions to link building systems

  The AI-powered building management system provides facility managers with remote monitoring and diagnostics and predictive maintenance prompts. It can be installed in only a few hours, the company says.

  Technology

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  Using energy-as-a-service to lower costs, add predictability

  The model can work on a per-therm basis as much as a per-kilowatt-hour basis for companies that generate a lot of waste heat, says Charlie Lord of Renew Energy Partners.  

  Operations

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  High-tech amenities can draw people to the office but management complexity increases, experts say

  Golf simulators and AV conference rooms are good – until they need a specialist to fix, speakers at Realcomm IBCon said.

  Technology

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  Hotel carbon monoxide alarm rule reintroduced in Congress

  The Stay Safe Act would require carbon monoxide detectors to be installed in every hotel and short-term rental room in the country.

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  Former school district facilities chief directed $2M in HVAC work to shell company, DA alleges

  Scott Unger resigned as Lawrence Union Free School District facilities director after he came under investigation for steering money to himself, according to the Nassau County District Attorney in New York.

  Compliance

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  ICE building sites raids stoke fear, uncertainty

  Law enforcement officers arrested construction workers in San Antonio, New Orleans and Tallahassee, Florida, last week.

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  JLL, Microsoft integrate indoor mapping tech to speed workplace transformation

  The two companies are merging floor plans and spatial data with workplace management systems so operators can optimize space for hybrid workers.

  Technology

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  Opinion

  What should performance benchmarking look like post-Energy Star?

  The proposed elimination of one of the federal government’s most successful sustainability programs raises questions about how to measure building efficiency.

  Sustainability

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  11 federal buildings tapped for sale by reform board

  Conditions are good to sell the properties, which could generate $346 milion in proceeds and save billions in operating, maintenance and upgrade costs, the Public Buildings Reform Board says.

  Development

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  More teens lean toward vocational school

  School counselors recognize stigma remains for these options but say it’s important that students understand available nondegree pathways.

  Updated June 5, 2025

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  Targeted HVAC interventions can yield big savings, researcher says

  By focusing on inefficient zones and rooms that generate a disproportionate share of fault signals to the building management system, operators can maximize their resources, a Stanford researcher says.

  Sustainability

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  Facility teams must align with the businesses they serve, experts say

  Getting the balance right between employers and employees is one of the big challenges, according to executives from integrated real estate management firms. 

  Operations

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  Vast array of solar power equipment left exposed online

  The most commonly exposed device has been discontinued and vulnerable for a decade, new research found.

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  Efficiency goals will drive 4% growth in HVAC insulation: report

  But the report by Grand View Research leaves out the impact of the federal government disengaging from energy efficiency policies, as the Trump administration has proposed.

  Technology

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  BofA: More branches, more space for conversations

  Customers may or may not visit a branch, but the bank’s presence affirms its commitment to a community, and “there’s a brand value” in that, the executive said.

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  Realcomm IBcon: Don’t wait to implement AI in building operations

  The annual real estate technology conference looks at the deployment of AI in operations to reduce energy use and improve occupant experience.

  Technology

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  LiquidStack touts modular, scalable data center coolant distribution unit

  The solution can scale to hundreds of megawatts of cooling power, supporting hyperscale data center plans. It’s also 25% less costly to build and can run at blistering ambient temperatures, the liquid cooling company says. 

  Technology

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  Company settles with Pennsylvania AG over maintenance delays

  The property manager’s artificial intelligence-based platform caused delays in responding to repair requests, according to Attorney General Dave Sunday.

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  Cisco, Environments partnership aims for better building data

  The two companies are strengthening their relationship to advance smart building technologies, which can help improve environments for occupants and operational data for building managers, leaders say.

  Technology

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  How small operational changes can add up to large energy savings

  Facilities that can’t afford to deploy capital for building system upgrades can eke out savings in ways operators might not have thought about, an Accruent white paper says.

  Sustainability

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  Higher ed invests in athletic facilities, recreation and retail

  Colleges and universities are bolstering sports and other recreational facilities to attract students, with some also adding retail and student housing.

  Development

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  Fire risk keeps spotlight on lithium batteries as backup energy source

  Facilities managers must make a risk-benefit calculation if they’re looking at the batteries for on-site energy storage, news developments show.

  Health & Safety

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