Opportunities for Energy and Cost Savings
Today’s buildings consume more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy, including transportation and industry. Of the millions of buildings in the U.S. most were built in 1979 and prior, providing us the tremendous opportunity to reduce the nation’s energy consumption by increasing the efficiency of aging buildings through retrofits or replacements as needed. Additionally, to address the projected increase in new construction we are improving the techniques and strategies of how we design, build, and operate our buildings for the future
Commercial Buildings: Energy Efficient Building Practices
The commercial building market encompasses a diverse mix of structures and purposes – from small retail establishments to corporate office parks, from neighborhood schools to regional hospitals, and from multi-family apartment buildings to universities.
Despite their differences, commercial buildings share a large and growing appetite for energy. They account for 18 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. In a typical office building, energy use accounts for 30 percent of operating costs, the largest single category of controllable costs.
The design and construction of energy-smart buildings offers tangible benefits to building owners and occupants and our nation as a whole.
- Building owners can lower their energy costs by 50 percent or more while lessening maintenance and capital costs.
- Building occupants realize increased comfort, health and productivity.
Our nation conserves energy resources and enjoys cleaner air and a healthier environment.
