Designing and Overseeing the Implementation of Building Automation Systems (BAS) using Building Automation and Control Network (BACnet) Protocols
5 min readAnyone who has visited Mexico City recognizes it as a culturally rich and dynamic megacity, boasting a population of over 25 million people who predominantly speak Spanish. This bustling metropolis is filled with international organizations, multinational corporations, and transregional conglomerates that are integral to the daily lives of its residents. Our team of consultants was…
Breathing Easy – Indoor Air Quality Testing
< 1 min readIndoor Air Quality (IAQ) became a hot issue within our built environment during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained a key consideration in building design and maintenance. In preparing to provide IAQ testing for one of our clients, Brandon Pieczynski, a Commissioning & Energy Engineer at Baumann took advantage of access to the testing equipment….
Climate Risk Analyses for the Real Estate Industry: Process and Benefits
4 min readThe effects of climate change are having an ever-increasing impact on the real estate industry, which will affect buildings and their functions in the future. The predicted risks are far-reaching, from increased cooling demand for buildings caused by rising temperatures to damage caused by flooding due to increased and more intense rainfall events, and even…
Pump Cavitation and Its Effects in Closed Loop Systems
2 min readAs we know, the presence of air pockets in the closed loop pipe system, like we routinely find in hydronic heating and cooling systems, lowers its overall system performance. Air pathways through such a system are via many pathways such as through pipe joints, valves, leaky coils, etc. So, it is important to properly flush…
LEED v5 BD+C Update: What You Need to Know
6 min readSince our last post regarding LEED v5, a more comprehensive picture of the changes in LEED v5 for Building Design and Construction (LEED BD+C) has been released by the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This document, released in May of 2024 mirrors the same familiar credit categories from v4 and v4.1. The credit categories remain…
Benchmarking – Why Data Accuracy is Key
3 min readBack in the 90s, before cars could display fuel efficiency on the dashboard, my dad would reset the trip computer every time he got gas to calculate the fuel efficiency right there at the pump. He always tried to be more fuel efficient than on the previous trip. In a way, he was benchmarking our…
Navigating Maryland’s BEPS: What We Know Now
4 min readMaryland is at the forefront of addressing climate change through its Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). This initiative underscores the state’s commitment to sustainable development and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. At Baumann, we recognize the complexities of this new standard for building owners and property managers based on our experience with similar standards, such…
The ESG Expedition: Charting the Course with Stakeholder Engagement
4 min readDeveloping a strong ESG report is no easy task; it requires in-depth awareness of the organization and its operations paired with a working knowledge of trends in sustainability and the industry. It involves some honest conversations and collaborative decision-making. Often, it takes training a committee of colleagues with other responsibilities who have never done this…
Using CFD to Optimize Thermal Comfort in a Distribution Center
7 min readWith the growth of online shopping and logistics, the demand for warehouses and distribution centers has increased over the past decades. Applying effective heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) strategies in these buildings is important to maintain thermally safe comfortable indoor environments. With large volumes, shifting usage patterns, and sensitive equipment, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can…
BEPS – Understanding the Performance Pathway (Part 4)
4 min readIf you own or operate a building in Washington, DC, you should be paying attention to the District’s Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). This policy requires buildings to meet a minimum level of energy performance. If your building does not meet that requirement, you must take steps to reduce building energy use or face financial…
Beyond Scorecards: The Intersection of ESG, Sustainability, and Building Performance
4 min readWhat do LEED checklists, energy and daylight models, commissioning, and ESG reports have in common? They all support green building certification, strong building performance, and ESG goals simultaneously! Green building certifications like LEED, WELL, Fitwel, and BREEAM, along with building performance strategies such as modeling and commissioning, play a crucial role in supporting ESG goals…
Harnessing the Power of RCx: Lessons Learned
3 min readRetro-commissioning, often abbreviated as RCx, involves optimizing existing building systems to improve their performance and efficiency. It’s a process that typically includes evaluating HVAC systems, lighting, and other building systems to ensure they’re operating as intended. However, many building owners, engineers, and operators, avoid taking on RCx projects because they think they are of limited…
