Tag: decarbonization

Figure 1: Existing open cooling tower located on building roof. Courtesy: HDR

Boilers, Chillers

Case study: Proposal can save money by using chillers for electric heating

Graham Smith, PE, CEM, CDP 38

HVAC/R and Mechanical

2026 40 Under 40: Graham Smith, PE, CEM, CDP, 38

Chaitanya Korra, LEED GA, CSI CDT, IEEE Senior Member, 35

2026 40 Under 40: Chaitanya Korra, LEED GA, CSI CDT, IEEE Senior Member, 35

Engineering trends to watch in 2026

Figure 3: Generic source energy comparison of a boiler and heat pump system showing building heat extracted from 1,000 units of energy of natural gas. Courtesy: CDM Smith

HVAC/R and Mechanical

Heat pumps versus boilers: Decisions on the way to decarbonization

Figure 4: Electrification is an integral part of decarbonization efforts. Robust electrical distribution equipment such as this low-voltage switchgear helps ensure that those systems are resilient. Courtesy: McGuire Engineers

Other Building Types

Decarbonization: How we got here and where we’re going

Figure 1: An example of a coordinated floor plan showcasing the lighting fixtures, line and low-voltage lighting controls alongside a sequence of operations table breaking down how these spaces are controlled. Courtesy: WSP USA Buildings Inc.

Lighting and Lighting Controls

Consulting-Specifying Engineer top articles: July 2025

Figure 3: Water-source heat pump installation at 1 Java Street. This heat pump serves one of the residential apartments within the building. Courtesy: CDM Smith

Case study: How New York City’s largest residential building achieved efficiency

Figure 1: An energy recovery ventilator (ERV) unit installed at an administration building in Massachusetts. The ERV exchanges heat between the outdoor air and the ventilation from the occupied spaces. It operates in air-side economizer mode when the outdoor air temperature is below 60°F and modulates the outside air damper and return air damper to maintain the mixed air temperature setpoint. Courtesy: CDM Smith

HVAC/R and Mechanical

The role of energy efficiency in decarbonization