Episode Description:

Episode Description:

Episode Description:

In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito discusses five practical strategies to help facility managers reduce their facility's energy consumption. Phil emphasizes the importance of optimizing existing resources and implementing simple changes that can lead to significant energy savings without the need for extensive retraining or costly upgrades. By focusing on these actionable steps, facilities can better manage energy demands and consumption, ultimately contributing to cost savings and sustainability goals.

Key Takeaways:

• Optimize Schedules: Adjust building, floor, and space schedules to align with actual occupancy patterns, significantly reducing unnecessary energy usage.
• Check Sensor Calibration: Regularly verify the calibration of sensors, especially those related to temperature and air quality, to ensure accurate system responses and prevent energy waste.
• Verify Damper and Valve Operations: Ensure that dampers and valves are functioning correctly by conducting regular checks during preventive maintenance, helping systems operate efficiently.
• Verify Set Points: Document and regularly review temperature set points, especially after commissioning or retrofitting, to prevent inadvertent changes that could lead to increased energy consumption.
• Implement Night Setback: Utilize night setback strategies to widen temperature set points during unoccupied periods, allowing for energy savings while maintaining suitable conditions for space recovery.

Episode Description:

In episode 461 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito dives into the essential types of outputs used in building automation systems (BAS) and how to manage them effectively. Whether you're a technician, engineer, or project manager, understanding these common pitfalls and output issues can save your projects from costly mistakes and delays. Phil also shares actionable advice on how to improve your team’s performance and avoid project setbacks in the future.

Key Highlights:

• Discover the most common mistakes made with BAS outputs and how they can affect your entire project.
• Learn why incorrect wiring is a leading cause of callbacks and how to prevent it from happening.
• What role does sensor placement play in project success, and how can it be optimized?
• Explore the critical importance of proper documentation and labeling in BAS projects.
• Uncover the hidden pitfalls in system integration that are often overlooked, and why testing and verification are essential to success.

Tune in to learn more about avoiding these common errors and ensuring your projects run smoothly!

Episode Description:

Join Phil Zito in Episode 460 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast as he continues the technician onboarding series, focusing on Building Automation System (BAS) input types. Following a general introduction to BAS, Phil delves into the specifics of input types, output types, and the various tiers of BAS architecture. This episode is essential for new technicians and those looking to deepen their understanding of how building automation systems monitor and control building environments. With a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical insights, Phil explains the differences between physical and logical inputs, the process of selecting appropriate sensors and devices, and the significance of understanding specifications.

Episode Highlights:

BAS Input Types Unveiled: Discover the differences between physical and logical inputs in BAS and the roles they play in system functionality.

Sensor Selection Process: Learn how to read specifications and identify the necessary sensors and devices for BAS applications, enhancing your skillset in equipment selection.

Introduction to Physical Inputs: Phil breaks down the most common physical inputs—resistive, voltage, current, contact, and pulse inputs—providing examples and their applications within BAS.

Logical Inputs Explained: Gain insight into logical inputs, including writable and non-writable types, and understand how they impact system programming and operations.

Practical Application and Specifications: Through real-world examples and a walkthrough of reading a specification, Phil demonstrates how to translate theoretical knowledge into practical application.

Future Learning Path: Phil outlines the upcoming topics in the series, including output types, controller types, communication buses, and more, setting the stage for comprehensive BAS learning.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone starting their journey in building automation or seeking to refine their technical skills. Through detailed explanations and practical examples, Phil Zito provides listeners with the tools needed to understand and work with BAS input types, paving the way for future episodes that will explore the depths of building automation systems. Tune in to enhance your understanding of BAS and prepare for the continued learning journey in subsequent episodes.

Episode Description:

In this foundational episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, Phil Zito launches a vital series dedicated to teaching building automation from the ground up, perfect for new entrants to the field. Episode 458 serves as the gateway, introducing the very basics of Building Automation Systems (BAS), the architecture of such systems, and the crucial components that make up a BAS. Through detailed explanations and visual aids, this episode aims to demystify the core aspects of building automation, including inputs and outputs, controllers, and the significance of visualization in managing complex building systems. Whether you're a new employee seeking to grasp the BAS industry or an employer looking to onboard fresh talent effectively, this series promises to be an indispensable resource.

Episode Highlights:

• BAS Overview: A high-level introduction to Building Automation Systems, explaining their purpose and how they've evolved from electromechanical and analog systems to digital controls.
• Key Components: Insight into the basic components of a BAS, including inputs, outputs, controllers, and supervisory devices, and how they interact to automate building functions.
• Architecture Explained: Simplifying the three-tier architecture of BAS, detailing how data moves from field devices to the operator's interface for actionable insights.
• Visualization and Control: Discussing the role of supervisory devices and software in visualizing and managing building systems, highlighting the shift to web-based interfaces for remote management.
• Educational Approach: Phil Zito outlines the series' structure, focusing on foundational knowledge before progressing to more complex concepts and applications in building automation.

Join us every Wednesday at 10 am Arizona time for live sessions, where you can engage, ask questions, and deepen your understanding of building automation systems. This series is designed to build a strong foundation for those new to the BAS field, offering a step-by-step guide to mastering the basics and beyond.

Episode Description:

Join Phil Zito in Episode 457 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast as he delves into the critical role of mentoring in developing Building Automation System (BAS) employees. This episode is a part of our ongoing series on BAS management, focusing on cultivating soft skills, understanding finance, and enhancing sales through mentoring. Phil, leveraging his extensive experience in mentoring and running a successful training business, offers a fresh perspective on accelerating the growth of technical and sales professionals in the BAS industry.

Key Topics Covered:

• Talent Crisis in Building Automation: An overview of the current demand for skilled workers in construction and manufacturing, emphasizing the need for 1.2 million new workers by 2029.
• Traditional Development Models: A critique of conventional onboarding and mentoring programs, highlighting their inadequacies in addressing the rapid need for skilled BAS professionals.
• Quantitative Mentoring Approach: Introduction to a data-driven mentoring strategy that emphasizes measurable progress and competency-based assessments to fast-track employee development.
• Bloom's Taxonomy in Mentoring: Application of Bloom's Taxonomy to structure the mentoring process, ensuring a clear progression from basic knowledge acquisition to the application and beyond.
• Implementing the Model: Practical steps for incorporating a quantitative mentoring model within your organization, including setting SMART goals, assessing competencies, and adapting mentoring techniques to individual needs.
• Overcoming Challenges: Discussion on common obstacles in mentoring BAS employees and strategies to overcome them, ensuring a successful developmental journey for both mentors and mentees.

Episode Highlights:

• Phil shares insights into the critical talent shortage facing the BAS industry and the importance of innovative mentoring approaches to bridge the gap.
• Explore a structured, measurable methodology to mentorship that moves beyond traditional models, fostering rapid skill acquisition and professional growth.
• Learn how to apply Bloom's Taxonomy to effectively mentor BAS employees, ensuring they achieve competency in their roles efficiently.
• Gain practical tips on implementing a quantitative mentoring model in your organization, enhancing the development of technical and sales staff.

Join Phil Zito in Episode 456 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast for an enlightening deep dive into T1L, an emerging Ethernet standard poised to revolutionize building automation systems. As we explore the technicalities and applications of T1L, this episode serves as a comprehensive guide for professionals eager to understand and implement this technology in their projects. From explaining the basics of T1L to discussing practical implementation steps, Phil provides valuable insights into leveraging T1L for both retrofit and new installation projects, ensuring your building automation systems are more efficient, cost-effective, and future-proof.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to T1L: Unravel the basics of T1L, an Ethernet physical layer specification under IEEE 802.3cg, offering a promising solution for extending the reach of building automation networks using single twisted-pair cables.

• Key Features and Benefits: Discover T1L's capability to support 10 Mbps full-duplex communication over 1 kilometer, facilitating cost-effective network expansions and leveraging existing wiring infrastructure.

• Operational Modes and Applications: Learn about T1L's operational modes, VPP voltage levels, and how they cater to different network requirements, alongside exploring T1L's suitability for various building automation protocols like BACnet IP, LonWorks, and Modbus RTU.

• Technical Deep Dive: Dive into the technical aspects of T1L, including the importance of impedance matching, the role of PHY transceivers, receivers, and gateways in a T1L setup, and how these components work together to ensure efficient data transmission.

• Implementing T1L in Projects: Gain practical insights into assessing existing infrastructure for T1L compatibility, planning network architecture, upgrading devices, and configuring network settings to successfully implement T1L in your projects.

• Interactive Learning: Phil encourages listeners to engage with questions and share their thoughts on T1L's impact on the building automation industry, fostering an interactive learning environment.

Whether you're looking to enhance your knowledge on cutting-edge Ethernet standards or seeking practical advice on implementing T1L in your building automation projects, Episode 456 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast is an invaluable resource. Dive into the world of T1L with Phil Zito and stay ahead in the rapidly evolving field of building automation.

Explore the journey of BAS management and ownership with Phil Zito in Episode 455 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast. This episode kicks off a series focused on crucial skills for building automation leaders, spanning topics from financial acumen to operational prowess. Whether you're a manager, owner, or interested in comprehensive management practices, this series sheds light on navigating the building automation industry's complexities.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to BAS Management Series: Phil introduces the series, aimed at dissecting the skills vital for successful management and ownership within the building automation sphere.

• Key Management Areas: Discussing critical domains such as finance, operations, sales, legal issues, marketing, business management, leadership skills, and talent management, and their significance for business prosperity.

• Finance for Business Growth: Insight into financial planning, reporting, understanding tax structures, financing options, and ensuring sustainable business development.

• Operations and Organizational Structure: Emphasizing the importance of robust operational processes, documents, and systems in effectively scaling business operations.

• Sales Strategy and Management: Advice on crafting a powerful sales strategy, managing sales efforts, and leveraging CRM tools to bolster business revenue.

• Legal and Marketing Essentials: Navigating legal challenges and the role of clear, effective marketing in boosting business visibility and reach.

• People and Leadership: Discussing HR policies, employee retention, and the leadership qualities essential for fostering a positive and productive workplace.

Embark on this insightful journey with Phil Zito into managing and owning a building automation system business. This foundational episode sets the stage for the series, offering invaluable insights for professionals aspiring to thrive in the BAS industry.