During this time of year, being frightened is expected; at times, maybe even welcomed if the encounter results in a chocolate-covered treat. What isn’t welcomed, however, is the horror of opening your mailbox only to find unexpectedly high utility bills awaiting you. The question is how can you avoid this Halloween worthy fright-fest? The answer […]
Travels with VP: Exploring Greece from a MEP Perspective
My parents immigrated to the United States from Greece in the 50’s and 60’s and made Charlotte, NC their new home. As a child, I travelled to the old country often, visiting the family and friends that still lived there. I continue that tradition today with own family — most recently travelling to Greece this […]
Popularity Surge: LED Lighting in Electrical Design
The use of LED lights in electrical design has improved a lot over the decades. In 1879, Thomas Edison introduced the first commercially available incandescent bulb to the masses. In the decades that followed, lighting options remained fairly unchanged until 1962 when General Electric’s Nick Holonyak Jr. invented the first light-emitting diode (LED) technology. Today […]
Travels with VP: How a Recent Trip Inspired an Even Greater Appreciation for the Air Conditioner and its History
By Kosta Pappas Whether for work or family, we travel a lot here at VP, so much so we’ve created a blog series titled “Travels with VP” that reflect on our adventures — whether it’s as simple as a recommendation for a brewery with a great IPA on tap or the exploration of a MEP-related […]
The Power of “What If” In Designing Senior Living Facilities
I’ve attended many conferences in my 15+ years in the MEP industry — the most recent being this year’s LeadingAge North Carolina annual conference and trade show in Myrtle Beach, SC. Of the hundreds I’ve attended, this conference was different. Its theme — What If? — struck a chord with me. They challenged attendees to […]
The Values of Our Values
What do Elvis Presley and VP Engineering have in common? More than you would first think. The King once quipped that “Values are like fingerprints…You leave ‘em all over everything you do.” We couldn’t agree more. Our values form the fabric of our company and our brand. We place a high premium on them, understanding […]
Right Brain, Left Brain: Explaining the MEP Engineer and Architect Relationship
MEP engineers and architects often work hand-in-hand, frequently performing parallel functions that contribute to a building’s successful design. Despite the frequent overlap, these two groups often approach projects from vastly different perspectives. So, why do they ultimately work so well together? The theory of right brain vs. left brain can help explain this. In the […]
Hotel HVAC Design: Balancing Comfort and Efficiency
By Michael Grose When it comes to hotel HVAC design, we consider multiple factors to ensure a system that works for our clients. These HVAC systems consist of an intricate network of components, all designed to deliver two very different, but equally important results: providing a comfortable environment for occupants and running it as efficiently […]
MEP Design Considerations Unique to Senior Living Facilities
Since the last recession, the multifamily sector has contributed significantly to the boom in new construction. The sector’s niche market — Senior Living — is a driving reason. As Baby Boomers age, the demand for senior living options has dramatically increased. For those who don’t design Senior Living facilities, it’s easy to assume the design […]
Looking Back: 15 Lessons We’ve Learned During Our 15 Years in Business as an MEP Consultant
Next month, our 15th year in business will officially come to a close. To celebrate this milestone, we thought we’d recap all the invaluable lessons we learned over the years. We look forward to the next 15 and thank all of you who have made the first 15 possible! COMMUNICATION Whether we’re designing a senior-living […]