Is your HVAC knowledge aligned with today’s smart building demands?

This episode explores variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems and their growing role in building automation. As building complexity increases and energy efficiency becomes a priority, VRF systems offer a different approach that requires new skills and understanding from BAS professionals.

If you work in building automation, this conversation will help you see where the industry is heading and what it means for your work.

Topics covered:

• Why VRF systems are gaining widespread adoption

• How VRF components interact to enable precise zone control

• Challenges with integration and proprietary communication protocols

• When VRF is the right choice, and when it’s not

• How AI and remote monitoring are shaping the future of HVAC

Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your edge in a changing BAS landscape.

Many building automation systems are operating far below their potential. If you're only using basic features or managing your system with limited insight, you are likely missing out on performance, energy savings, and operational efficiency.

This episode focuses on you - the facility manager, the BAS technician, the energy consultant - and how to unlock the full capabilities of your system. You will hear real-world examples that highlight common issues and overlooked opportunities. More importantly, you will gain a new perspective on how to reclaim control and value from your existing system.

In this episode, you will explore:

• What underutilized means in building automation
• Root causes that limit system performance
• Overlooked features that can improve efficiency
• Practical barriers and how to start addressing them
• Immediate actions to increase system value

This episode encourages you to rethink your BAS strategy and start taking steps toward better performance and smarter building management.

This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast focuses on a key factor affecting building performance and operational cost: the building operator.

If energy costs remain high despite efficient equipment, or tenant complaints persist after BAS upgrades, the problem may lie in overlooked operational practices. This episode examines how operator actions directly influence energy use, system performance, and downtime.

Designed for professionals managing facility systems and operations, the episode highlights what separates underperforming buildings from optimized ones.

Topics include:

• The impact of trained operators on building efficiency and cost savings
• Core skills operators need beyond system knowledge
• The role of alarms, overrides, and scheduling in energy waste
• Common gaps in trend analysis and setpoint management
• Approaches to developing operator skills and accountability

If your building still is not performing the way it should, this episode will help you start asking the right questions.

This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast focuses on critical discussions that directly impact building automation professionals. Instructors Matt Scott, Ethan Morris, and Michael Roper explore the evolving relationship between BAS professionals and IT departments, common pitfalls in BAS specifications, and the practical value of trend logging. The conversation is centered on real-world challenges and strategies for success in modern building projects.

The team shares insights based on field experiences, addressing issues that affect system performance, project timelines, and professional collaboration. This episode highlights actionable points for building automation professionals committed to delivering better outcomes.

Key Topics Covered:

• The current state of collaboration between BAS teams and IT departments
• Why BAS devices are increasingly treated as IT assets
• Risks of not coordinating with IT during BAS deployments and how to avoid project delays
• Specification mistakes seen in BAS projects and professional ways to offer feedback
• The role of trend logs in troubleshooting, compliance, and performance improvement

This episode will help you strengthen your BAS practices and stay ahead in a rapidly changing environment.

Good air is about performance, health, and operational excellence. This episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast explores the critical role that ASHRAE 62.1 plays in creating environments where people can thrive. Controls technicians, facilities managers, commissioning agents, and mechanical designers will benefit from understanding this essential ventilation standard.

Building professionals often recognize the importance of indoor air quality but may struggle to achieve it consistently. This episode highlights why simply moving air is not enough and what it takes to deliver clean, safe, and effective ventilation tailored to every space. The discussion provides a deeper appreciation for the nuances of air quality standards and their impact throughout the building lifecycle.

Key Topics Explored:

• The meaning of ventilation and why airflow alone is insufficient
• How ASHRAE 62.1 sets minimum requirements for indoor air quality in commercial buildings
• The differences between the three approved ventilation methods and when to apply each
• The importance of commissioning and maintenance in sustaining healthy air environments
• How improper system installation and neglect can compromise even well-designed projects

ASHRAE 62.1 ensures that buildings protect the health of occupants. Listen to Episode 492 to gain critical insights that can strengthen your projects and professional expertise.

If you've worked on new construction, retrofits, or green building certifications, ASHRAE 90.1 is already familiar. However, using it effectively is another matter.

This episode focuses on how ASHRAE 90.1 influences your designs, energy compliance, and system planning. The discussion clarifies how this standard applies across key areas and what it means for your daily responsibilities in building automation.

For professionals seeking to improve building performance, align with energy codes, or support LEED goals, this episode offers practical context.

Topics covered include:

• The building systems and design elements governed by ASHRAE 90.1
• The role of the standard in state codes and federal guidelines
• Energy use targets across power, HVAC, lighting, and water heating
• Prescriptive vs. performance-based compliance methods
• Coordination strategies for efficient design and modeling

Explore how ASHRAE 90.1 shapes your work by listening in now.   

Estimates shape the success of every building automation project. Knowing how to assess labor, materials, and subcontractor needs can determine your profitability and project outcomes.

This episode gives you a practical look at the estimating process, revealing what matters most when preparing accurate and competitive BAS proposals. You’ll gain a sharper sense of what to look for, where the risk lies, and how to improve the quality of your estimates.

Topics covered in this episode:

·       The essentials of reviewing specifications and drawings

·       System-level thinking for identifying control scope

·       Device takeoffs and labor planning fundamentals

·       Coordinating with subcontractors and managing scope

·       The role of overhead, risk, and markup in the estimate

Listen in to sharpen your approach and strengthen your project planning.

In episode 489 of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we bring you a roundtable conversation designed specifically for building automation professionals who are hands-on in the field. This episode puts the focus on your day-to-day challenges and opportunities, offering perspectives from our Instructors who know exactly what you’re dealing with.

This is not about theory. It’s about the real decisions you make, the systems you work with, and the outcomes you are expected to deliver. Whether you're working on new construction, dealing with legacy systems, or navigating the increasing complexity of today’s controls, this episode gives you the pulse of what's happening right now in the BAS world.

Inside this episode, we’ll explore topics like:

• Common reasons commissioning and recommissioning are skipped and how that impacts performance
• How the BAS landscape is shifting between standardized and highly customized designs
• The overlooked complexities of retrofitting older buildings and systems
• Where wireless sensors are gaining traction and what challenges still exist
• The expanding role of technicians from configuration to owner training

This episode is your opportunity to hear the kinds of discussions you probably wish were happening more often on the job. Listen in, learn from your peers, and apply new insights on your next project.

What if the key to unlocking more profitable and efficient building automation projects was already at your fingertips?

In Episode 488, you’re invited into a detailed conversation tailored specifically for building automation professionals. This episode explores how OEMs like Johnson Controls are equipping their contractor channels with advanced tools - not just to sell, but to successfully deliver full BAS solutions from estimation to final commissioning.

This episode is about helping you rethink the way you approach your BAS projects. Whether you're estimating, designing, installing, or managing the handoff to operations, there are resources out there that can make you faster, more accurate, and more profitable.

You won’t just hear about features - you’ll hear how these tools and processes can be applied to your business and your daily operations.

Key topics explored include:

• The underestimated power of estimation tools and how they impact risk, labor, and material accuracy.
• How engineering efforts in the sales phase can translate into operational success and earlier cash flow.
• What to consider when transitioning to IP controls and how OEM partnerships are shaping the network infrastructure conversation.
• How to strategically manage materials to drive revenue and reduce risk before a project even breaks ground.
• How automation and evolving software tools are reducing human error and accelerating project timelines.

If you're a contractor, estimator, engineer, or project manager in the BAS space, this episode will give you insight into what’s possible with the right toolset and the right approach. You’ll walk away with new perspectives on how to enhance your current workflows and set your projects up for greater success. Listen in to discover how the strategies discussed can impact your business.

The refrigerant landscape is changing fast, and if you're in building automation, facility management, or HVAC, you need to stay ahead of these shifts. In this episode of the Smart Buildings Academy Podcast, we dive into the 2025 refrigerant regulations with Don Gillis, senior trainer at Chemours.

This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about making informed decisions that protect your equipment, your budget, and your long-term operations. If you’re responsible for maintaining or upgrading HVAC systems, this conversation will help you understand what’s coming and how to prepare.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The key EPA regulations that took effect in 2025 and how they impact equipment manufacturing and refrigerant availability.
• Why refrigerant phase-downs don’t mean phase-outs, and how that affects your system choices.
• The new refrigerant options for different applications, including chillers, rooftop units, and split systems.
• How recovery and reclamation of refrigerants is about to become more valuable than ever.
• The best practices for A2L refrigerants and what techs need to know about safe handling, tools, and documentation.

If you own, operate, or service HVAC systems, you can’t afford to miss this conversation. Get the insights you need to future-proof your business and ensure compliance without unnecessary costs.