Trends in construction can often be no different than fashion trends. Materials of construction and even HVAC equipment selected can become obsolete over time as engineers and building owners shift to new (and, hopefully, improved) products that make sense as technology improves. It's important to stay abreast of all the options available in commercial construction today. After all, we don’t want today’s boilers and pumps to become the bell-bottoms of tomorrow!
How can design engineers keep up with the rapidly increasing pace of technology improvements and ensure that they’re being smart instead of trendy in selecting new equipment for commercial construction?
- Understand that connectivity is here to stay. Bluetooth® technology is currently found in products we use every day. Using radio waves to connect smart phones, computers and equipment, we are now able to access and download operational reports like never before. Even Variable Frequency Drives like Frankin Control Systems new Q-Link have apps that connect to the drive to enable operators to start-up, monitor and see inside the system like never before. AERCO offers onAER remote monitoring to continuously monitor the overall health of your boiler. We are now people who are accustomed to instant answers. After all, we have Google at our fingertips! HVAC equipment is being adapted more rapidly than ever before to meet these changed expectations. It’s critical that design engineers are always on the lookout for equipment with improved connectivity that will help end-users maintain and service critical building equipment more easily than ever before.
- Attend regular continuing educations sessions. “This is the way we’ve always done it” just doesn’t cut it anymore. Keep current with new technologies by regularly attending local seminars and trade association conferences. Look for Lunch and Learn opportunities offered by product manufacturers and their reps. Some companies like Taco Comfort Solutions and Schwank Innovative Heating Solutions offer regular webinars and videos that might even help you earn PDH credit.
- Download helpful apps. The good news is that you don’t have to rely just on your own spreadsheets anymore. While slide rule days have long been over, there are now so many apps and calculators out there to assist design engineers, reduce mistakes and cut equipment selection time and effort.
- Set aside time to read equipment emails. I know you are inundated with emails and it’s tough to manage an inbox these days. However, one useful tip is to set a rule in your inbox to channel product announcements and manufacturer emails to one folder location. Then, you can set aside one hour per week to go through these emails and read about new product features and important updates so you’ll always be the one in the know!
- Meet with manufacturer’s reps. Adding another to-do in an already overcrowded day is often the last thing you want to do. However, you may be struggling with a problem that a sales engineer is uniquely qualified to help you with. It’s their job to know how equipment can help you solve your design problems. They may even offer a suggestion that you haven’t considered. Besides, you never know when they might bring doughnuts at just the right time.
We’re all juggling time and trying to utilize the resources available to us. It’s not an easy task to manage projects in front of us while still acquiring new knowledge. But, with a little planning and patience, we can try to stay ahead of all the curves with the ultimate goal of creating buildings that maximize efficiency, have a positive impact on the bottom line over time and, most importantly, offer occupants a safe and comfortable environment.
Blog image (c) Can Stock Photo / everythingpossible