Energy Efficiency
As energy prices increase, it becomes increasingly important to conserve energy across all sectors so that energy consumption and costs can be reduced. Doing so not only impacts a building owner's bottom line, but also helps protect our environment.
The commercial building market, for example, 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.
On the residential side, homeowners can achieve energy savings of 30 percent or more while improving the home's comfort level by adopting energy-efficient building practices. Substantial savings are possible whether building a new home or renovating an existing one. Homeowners who want even more dramatic reductions in utility bills can install on-site energy systems, such as passive solar or photovoltaics, and other forms of renewable energy.
