23 Key Features of an Energy Efficient Building
Over the years, efficient energy usage has become an increasingly important issue throughout the world due to the problem of global warming. There is currently a push for everyone to turn toward energy efficient products and design, commercial buildings included. But, not knowing what goes into energy efficient office buildings can be difficult.
Here are 23 key features to include in an energy efficient building design and why each one is so important.
Global warming has become an incredibly hot-topic issue, and one of the best ways to combat these adverse effects on the environment is to turn to more energy efficient design and construction. By reducing the number of natural resources, land, raw materials, and energy we use in and for creating buildings, we can significantly decrease the number of greenhouse gasses being released into the environment.
Energy efficient buildings are still high-performing buildings capable of a lot; they simply use different building methods, materials, and other resources to create a more energy-efficient, and therefore, environmentally friendly structure.
There are countless benefits to making buildings energy efficient. Here are four significant advantages to consider:
By making the investment in creating energy efficient commercial buildings, many of these costs can be drastically reduced. This leaves more money available for other areas of the business because building owners will be spending less on utility bills and building upkeep.
Instead of building an entirely new structure, look for an existing one, and retrofit it to your needs. Not only could this save a great deal of money, not just in the cost of construction materials, but the energy that it takes to build an entirely new building.
Insulation is a crucial factor in making buildings energy efficient. First, you want to choose a green insulation material like polystyrene or cellulose. Then, you want to ensure that you insulate your building thoroughly. By properly insulating the building with a quality product, you will not have to worry about hot or cold air escaping, therefore helping you save on your utility bills.
When it comes to being energy efficient and using less electricity, another great option is to install solar panels. Solar panels allow you to rely less on electricity, which drastically cuts the amount you spend on lighting and running various appliances and machines. Many states and cities also offer great incentives for the installation of solar panels, adding to their multitude of benefits.
Another essential step in maintaining a well-working HVAC system is to seal all and any potential air leaks. Professionals technicians use products like Aeroseal, which automatically finds and seal any leaks. Applying this sealant will help keep hot and cold air from escaping, making your building energy efficient.
LED light bulbs have become a popular choice for energy efficient office buildings because they use about 50 percent less electricity than other bulbs, last longer, perform better in cold temperatures, are less likely to break, turn on instantly, and can easily be paired with dimmers to create even more energy efficiency.
On average, they can use about 10 to 30 percent less energy than non-Energy Star-rated appliances.
In addition to window treatments, having ceiling fans throughout the building will also help to spread the hot and cold air produced by your HVAC system, so that all parts of the building are kept warm or cold accordingly. This also will help keep your HVAC from working too hard and save you money.
Creating energy efficient commercial buildings is the way of the future. Not only do energy efficient buildings save their owners a great deal of money, but they also show respect for the environment by making conscious choices for less harmful products, materials, and overall operation. There is no denying the benefits of an energy efficient building, and creating one isn’t difficult.
Features like those mentioned above are the basis of functional, energy efficient office buildings, and including them in your own design will save you money, energy, and earn you respect within your community.
Here are 23 key features to include in an energy efficient building design and why each one is so important.
Why Energy Efficient Buildings Are Important
Global warming has become an incredibly hot-topic issue, and one of the best ways to combat these adverse effects on the environment is to turn to more energy efficient design and construction. By reducing the number of natural resources, land, raw materials, and energy we use in and for creating buildings, we can significantly decrease the number of greenhouse gasses being released into the environment.
Energy efficient buildings are still high-performing buildings capable of a lot; they simply use different building methods, materials, and other resources to create a more energy-efficient, and therefore, environmentally friendly structure.
Benefits of Energy Efficient Buildings
There are countless benefits to making buildings energy efficient. Here are four significant advantages to consider:
1. Energy Efficiency Saves Money
Commercial buildings utilize a lot of energy to operate, from the electricity, the heating and cooling, as well as the day-to-day activities that occur. It makes these buildings incredibly expensive to keep open and operating.By making the investment in creating energy efficient commercial buildings, many of these costs can be drastically reduced. This leaves more money available for other areas of the business because building owners will be spending less on utility bills and building upkeep.
2. Better Return on Investment
The thing that all commercial and office buildings are concerned with is their return on investment or ROI. By creating energy efficient buildings, building owners are ensuring the building has a longer lifespan and requires less serious repairs over time. As a result, the building will have a much higher ROI, which means should you ever decide to sell your building, you will be able to get top-dollar due to the investment in making it an energy efficient location.3. Qualify for Special Programs, Rebates, and Incentives
With this new push for energy efficiency, the government has introduced numerous programs to encourage businesses and building owners to invest in green energy and building. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has a database detailing the various energy efficiency tax credits, rebates, and savings available to commercial businesses and state and local government agencies. There are incentives for virtually every aspect of energy efficiency, from installing solar panels to installing a more energy efficient HVAC system.4. Reduce Additional Effects of Harmful Greenhouse Gases
Greenhouse gases have been proven to be incredibly harmful to the environment, and everyone is looking for ways to limit the amount of greenhouse gases they put into the atmosphere. One way to do that is to limit the amount of carbon output and pollution your building creates. Energy efficient building design and appliances all help to limit these things, and by obtaining a green certificate, you are making it clear you are committed to the limitation and elimination of your greenhouse gas contribution, giving you a more favorable appearance in the eyes and mind of a more green-conscious era.23 Features of Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings
General Building Features
1. Close Proximity to Public Transit
As mentioned before, part of the benefits of being energy efficient is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. By having your building located in the city center, close to public transportation, workers will not have to rely on their cars to get to work. This means they can switch to public transit, and eliminate unnecessary reliance on cars that release harmful gases into the environment.2. New Buildings Should Take Orientation to Nature in Account
By considering the orientation of your building (if it is a new build), you can take better advantage of sunlight and place windows accordingly. This would make it so you will not find yourself relying on so much during the day, allowing you to save more on your utility bills.3. Take Advantage of Existing Structures
Instead of building an entirely new structure, look for an existing one, and retrofit it to your needs. Not only could this save a great deal of money, not just in the cost of construction materials, but the energy that it takes to build an entirely new building.
4. Design With Retrofitting In Mind
Alternatively, if you do have to build a new building, then it should be built with the idea of retrofitting in mind. That way, if you ever choose to sell, someone else can buy it and have a good foundation to start on, rather than having to start from scratch themselves.5. Choose the Smallest Building Possible
If you do not need a big building, then do not choose a massive structure. Just by selecting a reasonably sized building, you can create a significantly more energy efficient building. By going smaller, your building will require fewer materials and less energy to function, saving thousands in construction and operation costs.6. Keep Various Energy Efficient Standards in Mind
When it comes to energy efficient buildings, there are various standards that help measure how energy efficient a building is. By striving to meet the standards of Energy Start, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the International Green Construction Code (IGCC), you can ensure that you will create a green, energy efficient structure.7. Have Proper Insulation
Insulation is a crucial factor in making buildings energy efficient. First, you want to choose a green insulation material like polystyrene or cellulose. Then, you want to ensure that you insulate your building thoroughly. By properly insulating the building with a quality product, you will not have to worry about hot or cold air escaping, therefore helping you save on your utility bills.
8. Choose the Right Windows
The kind of windows you use makes a big difference as well. Choosing double or triple-pane and low-emissivity windows can help insulate and protect the building further. These energy saving options will help add to your building’s overall energy efficiency and save you even more money on your utility bills.9. Use Insulated Concrete
When building an energy efficient building from the ground-up, using energy efficient building materials is a great option. Contemporary building products like Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) coupled with metal framing help create a more durable, energy efficient structure, provide extra insulation, and can withstand extreme weather with ease.10. Consider Installing Solar Panels
When it comes to being energy efficient and using less electricity, another great option is to install solar panels. Solar panels allow you to rely less on electricity, which drastically cuts the amount you spend on lighting and running various appliances and machines. Many states and cities also offer great incentives for the installation of solar panels, adding to their multitude of benefits.
Heating and Cooling Considerations
11. Select a High-Efficiency HVAC System
The HVAC system is arguably the most crucial part of any home or building. This single system controls the heating, ventilation, and cooling for the entire building. So it makes sense to choose one that is Energy Star-rated, ensuring it is energy efficient and requires less energy to function.12. Change Air Filters Regularly
Along with having an Energy Efficient HVAC system, you want to be sure to change the air filters regularly. These filters can become dirty and clogged with dirt, which will force your HVAC to work harder to heat or cool the building, and will cost you more on your utility bills.13. Clean Air Ducts
Additionally, you’ll want to keep your air ducts clean. While this only needs to be done on an as-needed basis, it is critical to keeping your HVAC system in top shape, so that it continues to work for as long as possible and does not have any issues or break down.14. Use a Sealant to Prevent HVAC Air Leaks
Another essential step in maintaining a well-working HVAC system is to seal all and any potential air leaks. Professionals technicians use products like Aeroseal, which automatically finds and seal any leaks. Applying this sealant will help keep hot and cold air from escaping, making your building energy efficient.
15. Place Vents in the Right Places
The placement of vents is also critical to your HVAC system working as well as possible. Vents should be placed strategically in rooms and hallways, and in places where they are easy to reach for cleaning and maintenance, but still out-of-reach enough that they won’t get blocked by furniture, window coverings, or paper.16. Use Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats can help create energy efficient commercial buildings by allowing the HVAC to be set at specific temperatures at different times of the day. This way, the temperature can change automatically when people aren’t in the building, so it saves a great deal of money and also saves on energy.Other Energy Efficient Features
17. Install LED Lights
LED light bulbs have become a popular choice for energy efficient office buildings because they use about 50 percent less electricity than other bulbs, last longer, perform better in cold temperatures, are less likely to break, turn on instantly, and can easily be paired with dimmers to create even more energy efficiency.
18. Choose Energy-Star Appliances
Energy Star-rated appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, washers, dryers, and even dehumidifiers all are great for making buildings energy efficient. These kinds of appliances save you money on operating costs because they require much less energy to run.On average, they can use about 10 to 30 percent less energy than non-Energy Star-rated appliances.
19. Invest in Energy-Efficient Water Heaters
Water heaters account for 7 percent of commercial building energy use, so utilizing a high-efficiency water heater will help cut down on how much you spend. Options like tankless systems, systems with high-efficiency water storage tanks, heat pump water heaters, or even solar water heaters can significantly reduce operating costs and be a more energy-efficient option.20. Choose the Right Window Treatments
Having window treatments can have a surprising effect in making energy efficient office buildings. By having blinds or other types of efficient window treatments, you can control the amount of sun your building receives. During the winter, they can be kept open to get more natural, sun-produced heat, while during the summer, they can be kept closed to keep things cooler. This will allow you to rely less on the HVAC system, saving you money and energy.21. Install Ceiling Fans
In addition to window treatments, having ceiling fans throughout the building will also help to spread the hot and cold air produced by your HVAC system, so that all parts of the building are kept warm or cold accordingly. This also will help keep your HVAC from working too hard and save you money.
22. Consider Task Lighting
Instead of lighting the entire building, even areas not in use, which can cost more money and energy, invest in task lighting. This will consume significantly less energy compared to overhead lighting. It will also be less harsh on the eyes of employees, allowing them to have control over their own lighting.23. Consider Dimmable Lights
Alternatively, there is also the option of dimmable lights, which is excellent when paired with LED bulbs. This can allow you to keep overhead lights dim during the day when there is a lot of natural sunlight, and adjust as it gets darker or cloudy. Having that kind of control is another thing that helps create a more energy efficient building, since you will use less electricity.Easy Changes, One Big Difference
Creating energy efficient commercial buildings is the way of the future. Not only do energy efficient buildings save their owners a great deal of money, but they also show respect for the environment by making conscious choices for less harmful products, materials, and overall operation. There is no denying the benefits of an energy efficient building, and creating one isn’t difficult.
Features like those mentioned above are the basis of functional, energy efficient office buildings, and including them in your own design will save you money, energy, and earn you respect within your community.
