Better buildings for a better future

 By Bill Jack Johnson

Johnson Controls Global Products President

Global Products President Bill Jackson recently sat down with the Milwaukee Business Journal to join a table of experts on the important topic of improving energy efficiency and sustainability in buildings. Here are some of the insights he shared:

On why investing in energy efficiency makes sense:
Jackson: You’re hitting a home run anytime you can take $100,000 out of your building’s cost structure. It allows you to take the money you are saving and put it into enhancements that will attract or retain tenants. It will drive economic development.

On how building technology is evolving:
Jackson: Our Metasys® building automation system is a perfect solution for complex buildings. We also have a Verasys™ plug-and-play controls system for light commercial buildings. Every building has its own profile and there are certain things that will make it more efficient. Occupancy determines how much air you need to circulate. There are ways to monitor occupancy and change the air circulation accordingly. We’re using data and sensors to create meaningful value.

On the role of data in driving efficiency and sustainability:
Jackson: The ability to collect data and understand the efficiency of your building has improved dramatically. We can predict when a chiller is losing efficiency or when it needs repair. We can see whether the flow through the air handler is appropriate. You can monitor your building’s occupancy and the movement of people to change how you manage the building. We just made an investment in a Silicon Valley company that uses sensors throughout the building to make almost real-time changes in how they operate the building. At the same time, the interface for building controls has become very user-friendly and can be accessed remotely – even from a cell phone.

On why Johnson Controls continues to support the Paris Accord:
Jackson: Developing a new product like a chiller is a $100 million bet. The U.S. market is important, but it is not the only market. However, if the U.S. wanders away from where the rest of the world is headed, companies like Johnson Controls could end up having to make two product lines instead of one, which means more investment and design costs. We will continue to follow the Paris Accord and drive forward on creating sustainable environments. It is part of our values as a corporation.

Read the entire discussion, including insights from other table-of-experts panelists.