Episode Description:

In Episode 474 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we delve deep into the intricacies of 100% outdoor air units (OAUs). For building automation professionals, mastering these systems is critical, especially in high-stakes environments like operating rooms, clean rooms, and data centers. Whether you’re a seasoned technician or just starting your journey in HVAC controls, this episode unpacks the nuances that can make or break the performance of OAUs.

Join us as we explore how to prevent common pitfalls and enhance system performance. You'll walk away with practical insights and a fresh perspective on state-based control strategies that could revolutionize your approach to HVAC systems.

Key Topics Covered:

• The vital role of state-based control in HVAC troubleshooting and programming.
• Common issues with 100% outdoor air units in extreme weather conditions.
• The interplay between preheat, cooling, and reheat sequences.
• Ensuring safety and efficiency with damper status and static pressure controls.
• Humidity control strategies for maintaining precise environmental conditions.

Dive into this episode to gain actionable knowledge on optimizing OAU performance and to hear insights that could transform how you approach control sequences.

Episode Description:

Unlock the secrets to mastering HVAC control sequences in this engaging episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast. Episode 473 dives into the intricate world of air handling units, revealing insights every building automation professional needs to optimize performance and troubleshoot with precision.

Join the conversation as we explore critical ideas that directly impact your projects and systems. Whether you're designing, programming, or maintaining airside systems, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom to elevate your skills.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding the role of airflow as the foundation of temperature and humidity control.
• Exploring the mechanics behind constant air volume (CAV) and variable air volume (VAV) systems.
• Demystifying economizer control for energy-efficient ventilation and free cooling.
• Key safety measures for air handling units and their impact on system performance.
• Advanced sequences for occupancy, ventilation, and environmental quality control.

Don’t miss this chance to deepen your expertise and gain practical strategies for real-world application.

Episode Description:

Struggling with airside systems? Whether it's fan coil units, rooftop units, or handling building pressurization, this episode dives into the essential airside control sequences every BAS professional must master. Understand the foundations of air movement and control to elevate your expertise and efficiency in the field.

This episode focuses on practical concepts for navigating real-world challenges in airside systems, ensuring you're equipped to tackle them with confidence.

Key Topics Covered:

• Fan Coil Units: What makes them unique and where they shine in specific applications.
• Rooftop Units: Explore their role in airside control and how economizers enhance energy efficiency.
• Pressurization Basics: Why building pressurization is critical and how to maintain it effectively.
• Airflow Management: Insights into supply, exhaust, and volumetric offsets for optimal performance.
• Key Safety Features: How condensate alarms, dampers, and other safeguards protect your systems.

Episode Description:

Are HVAC control sequences leaving you puzzled? Whether you’re a technician, programmer, or designer in the building automation industry, this episode is your starting point for mastering the critical systems that shape modern smart buildings. Join us for Part 1 of our eight-part deep dive into HVAC control sequences, focusing on one of the most common systems you'll encounter: VAV boxes. This is the knowledge you need to solve issues faster, design smarter, and build your confidence with one of the most misunderstood aspects of BAS.

Key Topics Covered:

• VAV Boxes Demystified: Discover the core principles behind variable air volume (VAV) boxes and their essential role in zone temperature control.
• Troubleshooting Made Clear: Learn why most BAS issues occur at the box level and how mastering this can maximize efficiency across systems.
• Control Loops Simplified: Unpack the unique “loop within a loop” concept for VAV box control, essential for effective programming and operation.
• Transition to Reheat: Explore the differences between cooling-only boxes and those with reheat, including key considerations for setpoints and sensor placement.
• Fan-Powered Box Insights: Understand the contrasting roles of series and parallel fan-powered boxes and when to use each for optimal performance.

This episode is packed with practical insights and concepts that will change the way you approach HVAC systems. If you're looking to deepen your expertise and stay ahead in the field, this series is for you.

Episode Description:

Are you trying to break into the building automation field or help someone who is? Episode 470 of SBA offers a roadmap for landing your first job in this dynamic industry. This episode is all about actionable advice for anyone seeking to understand how building automation careers work, what skills you actually need, and how to connect with hiring managers – even if you’re just starting out.

Discover the fundamentals of a career in building automation and understand the steps needed to make yourself stand out. Whether you’re an entry-level candidate or transitioning from a different role, this episode reveals the secrets to positioning yourself as the candidate companies want.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why building automation is a promising career path with rapid growth opportunities
• How to navigate and understand job descriptions in this field
• Ways to gain hands-on experience before you even apply
• Unconventional yet effective strategies for getting noticed by hiring managers
• The essential skills you need to focus on to increase your value and hit the ground running

Listen in for the insights and inspiration to get hired and start your journey in building automation.

Episode Description:

Episode 469 dives into strategies for growing your service business in the building automation space. With the increasing demand for BAS expertise in ongoing operations, this episode guides listeners through the essentials of building a profitable, customer-focused service arm. You’ll gain insights on the value of expanding into owner-direct work, along with methods to foster long-term client relationships that keep your business top-of-mind. This episode is packed with practical advice to help you capture recurring revenue and optimize your approach to service delivery.

Key takeaways you’ll get:

• Market Positioning for BAS Service Success: Discover the best verticals to target and how to identify high-impact opportunities in each.
• Closing Your First Service Contracts: Learn effective ways to approach and win over initial clients for long-term service agreements.
• Building a Service Playbook: Understand the importance of documenting processes to ensure consistent, quality service delivery.
• Recurring Revenue Models: Explore strategies for maintenance contracts, health checks, and other recurring services that build predictable income.
• Effective Team Training and Staffing: Get tips on staffing your service engagements and cultivating a skilled, customer-oriented service team.

Tune in to SBA 469 to unlock the full potential of your service business and transform how you support clients in the BAS industry.

Episode Description:

Episode 468 explores advanced airside HVAC sequences, offering building automation professionals an in-depth look at ASHRAE's Guideline 36. This episode unpacks strategies for optimizing energy efficiency through standardized control sequences, helping listeners understand how to achieve predictable and repeatable system performance. You'll gain insights into best practices and considerations for implementing these strategies across different building scenarios, with a focus on practical, real-world applications.

Key takeaways you’ll get:

• The Principles of Trim and Response: Understand how this control strategy minimizes energy use while maintaining optimal HVAC performance.
• Handling Zone Requests and Zone Groups: Learn about managing cooling and heating demands across multiple zones for better system efficiency.
• Implementing Economizer Control: Discover how to leverage outdoor air conditions for free cooling to reduce energy consumption.
• Effective Reheat Control Techniques: Explore how reheat strategies can improve comfort, especially in colder climates.
• Key Factors for New Builds and Retrofits: Get guidance on sensor calibration, system integration, and adapting strategies for project success.

Tune in to SBA 468 to enhance your understanding of Guideline 36 and elevate the performance of your building automation systems.

Episode Description:

In episode 467 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you’ll dive deep into BACnet Testing Laboratories (BTL) and how understanding BTL listings can significantly impact your work in building automation. Whether you’re a contractor taking over a building or a facility manager looking to specify BACnet systems, this episode offers essential insights into device capabilities, interoperability, and conformance. By the end of the episode, you’ll be equipped to make smarter decisions regarding BACnet device selection and deployment.

Key takeaways you’ll get:

• Understanding BTL Listings: Learn how to interpret protocol implementation conformance sheets and what they reveal about device capabilities.
• Device Profiles and Interoperability: Explore the different BACnet profiles (such as AAC, B-BC) and how they apply to your systems.
• Functional Groups and Building Blocks: A breakdown of BACnet interoperability blocks, like data sharing, alarming, and trending.
• Network Capabilities: Discover how network compatibility impacts system integration and device communication.
• The Role of BACnet Testing Laboratories: Why BTL certification matters and how it ensures system functionality and compliance.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to enhance their knowledge of BACnet standards and BTL listings. Listen now to stay ahead in your building automation projects.

Episode Description:

Episode 466 addresses one of the most pressing challenges in the building automation industry today: the growing shortage of skilled building operators. In this episode, you’ll gain insights into how to effectively attract, train, and retain talent in an increasingly competitive market. While contractors are pulling operators away, there are key strategies facilities can use to combat this trend and keep their teams strong.

Key takeaways you’ll get:

• Why finding skilled operators is getting harder and how to tap into overlooked talent pools.
• Proven methods for developing operators through hands-on training and systematic onboarding processes.
• The unique benefits facilities can leverage to retain operators, beyond just salary.
• How creating a culture of continuous learning and growth can boost employee loyalty.
• The long-term value of development plans and creative employee recognition programs.

If you’re looking to keep your facility running smoothly by building a loyal and skilled team, this episode is for you! Tune in to learn more about the steps you can take to future-proof your operations.

Episode Description:

In episode 465 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, you'll discover how robotics are set to revolutionize the skilled trades. This episode explores the cutting-edge advancements in collaborative robots (Cobots) and how they are already transforming construction tasks. You'll gain insights into how robots are tackling repetitive, predictable jobs, and why more complex, multi-step tasks still require human expertise. By the end of the episode, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how automation could impact your job and what skills you need to stay relevant in this new era.

Key takeaways you’ll get:

► How Cobots are working alongside humans on construction sites
► The challenges robots face in unpredictable work environments
► The types of tasks most likely to be automated in the near future
► Practical examples of robots like Tesla Optimus and Boston Dynamics Atlas in action
► Strategies to future-proof your career by developing skills robots can’t replace

If you're ready to explore how robotics are changing the future of skilled trades and learn how to stay ahead, this episode is for you!