Buildings & Energy

Buildings consume 48% of all energy in the United States. Any serious efforts to reduce energy consumption, increase energy security and mitigate climate change must include building energy consumption as a central component.

Moreover, most of the energy used in most American buildings is simply wasted; so increasing building efficiency can serve these macro-oriented goals while providing economic savings for building owners as well. 

The building sector is responsible for 48% of our total energy consumption in the United States, dwarfing transportation at just 28%. Buildings are also responsible for approximately 76% of total electricity consumption, and nearly 50% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Any effort to seriously address energy security and climate change must make buildings a central component. 

So why are buildings so often overlooked in discussions of our national energy landscape? The consensus seems to be that retrofitting our old buildings for improved energy efficiency is perceived to be less "sexy" than other methods of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels, for example, are a flashy commodity that people can show off to their neighbors. A shiny new electric vehicle in the driveway, likewise, is a hot ticket item for an individual eager to exude environmental-consciousness. Insulation, on the other hand, is just an itchy thing that you stick in walls (or so many people think).

The good news? In truth, energy efficient homes and buildings are sexy: they're more comfortable year-round, warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer; they have healthier indoor environments, improved building durability and increased resale value down the road. In short, they're higher quality homes and buildings.

The "building performance" concept aims to relate these multitudinous benefits of efficiency by emphasizing that energy efficient buildings are not only better for the environment, but are all-around better, higher quality, higher performance buildings. They keep you cooler in the summer, warmer in the winter; they have healthier indoor air quality; they're safer for employees and families; and they retain a higher resale value down the road. Our building science, high-performance approach to energy efficiency upgrades focuses on mechanical systems and the building envelope to create the best possible indoor environment for the lowest possible operating cost. Since space heating and cooling represents the lion's share (41%) of the average American building's energy consumption, focusing on controlling the indoor environment through improved air sealing, insulation, and clean, regular ventilation provicedes the greatest return on investment -- both in terms of cost savings, and comfort -- than any other building energy upgrade.

For more information about what steps we can take to increase the energy efficiency of your building, take a look at our energy efficiency services page.