Buildings Archives - Sustainable Engineering Solutions

On the Ground, By Design: How SES’s Expansion Brings Better Collaboration and Faster Solutions to Boston and Beyond

On the Ground, By Design: How SES’s Expansion Brings Better Collaboration and Faster Solutions to Boston and Beyond

Katelyn Birge2025-03-27T13:52:34+00:00

When Sustainable Engineering Solutions (SES) decided to expand its presence into Massachusetts and Rhode Island, it wasn’t just about adding pins to a map. It was about being closer to our projects, improving collaboration, and delivering the fast, responsive service that defines our approach. But more than that, it was about embracing new opportunities [...]

On the Ground, By Design: How SES’s Expansion Brings Better Collaboration and Faster Solutions to Boston and BeyondKatelyn Birge2025-03-27T13:52:34+00:00

Peak Energy Demand Reduction through BMS Control

Peak Energy Demand Reduction through BMS Control

Katelyn Birge2025-02-26T20:50:08+00:00

Non-residential facilities typically have multiple cost components on their electric energy bills. The two largest components are the consumption charge (kilowatt hours consumed over the billing period) and the demand charge. The demand charge is based on the amount of instantaneous power the building draws at any given time, typically within any 15-minute period [...]

Peak Energy Demand Reduction through BMS ControlKatelyn Birge2025-02-26T20:50:08+00:00

5 Ways Commissioning Site Visits Improve Project Outcomes

5 Ways Commissioning Site Visits Improve Project Outcomes

Katelyn Birge2025-01-07T18:34:04+00:00

After nearly three decades of leading building commissioning projects across commercial, healthcare, and education sectors, I've witnessed firsthand how regular site visits by the Commissioning Authority (CxA) of a project can dramatically improve project outcomes. Here are the five most impactful ways these visits deliver value to clients. # 1. Early Issue Detection Prevents [...]

5 Ways Commissioning Site Visits Improve Project OutcomesKatelyn Birge2025-01-07T18:34:04+00:00

The Critical Role of Permanent Power in Building Projects

The Critical Role of Permanent Power in Building Projects

Katelyn Birge2024-12-11T16:33:58+00:00

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the construction industry has faced unprecedented challenges in the supply and distribution of equipment and materials. Costs soared, lead times increased, and delays became commonplace—especially for electrical equipment. Among the most significant delays was the availability of main switchgear, which is essential for establishing permanent [...]

The Critical Role of Permanent Power in Building ProjectsKatelyn Birge2024-12-11T16:33:58+00:00

Historical Building Commissioning

Historical Building Commissioning

Katelyn Birge2024-12-10T16:02:56+00:00

Historical buildings are a unique component of our communities. Preserving these culturally significant buildings, either by adapting or reusing them for a new purpose, is an excellent way to improve sustainability and longevity while maintaining a vital piece of history. Depending on the age of these buildings there may be little to no modern [...]

Historical Building CommissioningKatelyn Birge2024-12-10T16:02:56+00:00

Testing Resilience: The Impact of a Building-Wide Blackout Test

Testing Resilience: The Impact of a Building-Wide Blackout Test

Katelyn Birge2024-12-10T16:03:18+00:00

The emergency generator system often falls within the commissioning agent’s (CxA’s) scope of work, requiring the CxA to oversee field quality control testing such as load bank tests and equipment startups. Functional testing typically involves transitioning a building from normal power to emergency power and back, validating that all systems reliant on emergency power [...]

Testing Resilience: The Impact of a Building-Wide Blackout TestKatelyn Birge2024-12-10T16:03:18+00:00

Sustainable Engineering Solutions – A New Look

Sustainable Engineering Solutions – A New Look

Katelyn Birge2023-11-29T09:40:32+00:00

Since 2008, Sustainable Engineering Solutions has been delivering building systems and equipment that are efficient, effective, and finely-tuned. We’ve grown and learned a lot over the last 15 years, and while our commitment to our work and our clients is timeless, we felt it was time for a new look that reflects the ways [...]

Sustainable Engineering Solutions – A New LookKatelyn Birge2023-11-29T09:40:32+00:00

The Commissioning Agent’s Fast-Track to Closeout

The Commissioning Agent’s Fast-Track to Closeout

Katelyn Birge2024-07-04T08:11:00+00:00

For any project with commissioning, the functional testing portion of the commissioning process is arguably one of the most important and rigorous activities. Unfortunately, if the commissioning process is not properly organized and executed, the functional testing portion of the project may leave the commissioning team with an overwhelming laundry list of issues. However, [...]

The Commissioning Agent’s Fast-Track to CloseoutKatelyn Birge2024-07-04T08:11:00+00:00

Signs Your Facility May Need Retro-Commissioning

Signs Your Facility May Need Retro-Commissioning

Katelyn Birge2024-07-04T08:12:12+00:00

In our previous article, “What is Retro-Commissioning?”, we covered some of the signs that may indicate that your facility could benefit from Retro-Commissioning (RCx). In this article, we’ll dive deeper into some of those signs, discussing what they mean and what problems they may be symptomatic of. Increased energy consumption It is not the [...]

Signs Your Facility May Need Retro-CommissioningKatelyn Birge2024-07-04T08:12:12+00:00

5 Simple Ways to Improve Building Performance

5 Simple Ways to Improve Building Performance

Katelyn Birge2024-07-04T08:12:30+00:00

As a facility manager, you're likely always looking for ways to improve your building's performance and reduce energy consumption. One of the ways you can accomplish this is to implement a retro-commissioning program within your facility. Retro-commissioning, or RCx, involves identifying and fixing problems in an existing building's systems to optimize performance and reduce [...]

5 Simple Ways to Improve Building PerformanceKatelyn Birge2024-07-04T08:12:30+00:00