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.