Improving Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

 Every watt matters in the real estate sector. More so, when you’re a real estate building owner or sustainability professional looking to achieve energy efficiency in your commercial property. Commercial buildings vary in how they look and are used. They include all non-residential constructions and office buildings that are three stories or more. 

In the U.S., businesses as well as local, federal, and state governments own and utilize over 93 billion square feet of commercial real estate. This ends up accounting for 18% of the U.S. energy consumption and 35% of electricity use. The energy use further translates to 16% of the total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, at about 826 million metric tons. 

Achieving energy efficiency in commercial buildings would have an immense impact on the environment and your business. Read on to further understand the importance of energy efficiency and learn how to reduce energy consumption in commercial buildings. We’ll also cover innovative solutions available at Attune that can aid in your energy-saving endeavors. 

Understanding Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

Commercial properties consist of multiple intricate systems that utilize energy in various ways. Understanding how these specific areas use up energy opens up different opportunities for achieving energy savings. But what is energy efficiency and why is it important?

What Is Energy Efficiency?

This not-so-foreign concept refers to the process of identifying and executing practices that consume less energy while achieving the same results. It is the cornerstone of a secure, affordable, and sustainable energy future. A few examples of energy-efficient developments and principles making a buzz in the eco-friendly world include: 

• Green energy

• Carbon neutrality

• Alternative energy sources

• High energy efficiency appliances

• AI-Powered energy saving monitoring systems

Overall energy efficiency in commercial spaces builds on the concepts of doing more with less. It applies to various contexts and disciplines like:

• Industrial machines

• Transport systems

• Power generation

• Household appliances

• Office equipment

TRC – Leading Engineering, Consulting, and Construction Management Company Uses IoT for Energy Projects

Why Is Being Energy Efficient Crucial in Commercial Buildings?

A few of the benefits of implementing energy efficiency in your commercial space include:

• Reduced expenses. An energy efficient building costs less to heat, cool, and operate, contributing to lower production and utility energy costs. 

• Enhanced comfort. Commercial energy savings practices improve your awareness of your indoor climate conditions. Through innovative monitoring systems available at Attune, you obtain insight into critical metrics like 

  • Temperature

  • Particulate matter 

  • Humidity 

With these analytics, you can make necessary adjustments to achieve peak comfort and health for your occupants. 

• Improved compliance with building standards and regulations. With rising environmental concerns over greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, you, as a building owner, are under increasing pressure to cut down on energy consumption. Implementing energy-efficient practices in your commercial building keeps you ahead of the legislative curve.

How To Reduce Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings: 6 Tips

Some of the energy solutions for commercial buildings you can adopt include:

1. Upgrading to Energy-Efficient Lighting Systems

Lighting accounts for about 17% of the total electricity consumption in U.S. commercial buildings. Traditional incandescent bulbs are notoriously inefficient and contribute to significant electricity bills. They operate by passing electricity through a filament, heating it up and generating light. A considerable amount of energy ends up as wasted heat rather than light. 

You can immensely improve your properties’ commercial energy optimization by upgrading to less consumptive lighting solutions like Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights or compact fluorescent lamp bulbs. The LED lights can last up to 25 times longer than the conventional incandescent bulb while consuming about 90% less energy. They are also customizable, enabling you to adjust the color temperature and brightness to your desired ambiance. 

Additionally, you can consider retrofitting your space with smart lighting solutions like 

• Motion sensors 

• Programmable timers 

• Occupancy sensors

• Daylight harvesting

These lighting options automatically adjust light levels depending on the availability of natural light and room occupancy.  

2. Maintaining and Optimizing HVAC Systems

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems contribute to roughly 40% of your building’s total energy consumption. The system’s upgrading or regular maintenance is an essential energy-saving tip. The maintenance involves

• Replacing and cleaning air filters

• Evaluating and repairing any duct leaks

• Conducting routine systems checks

• Calibrating thermostats 

Optimizing your HVAC system eliminates unnecessary energy consumption.

3. Improving Insulation to Minimize Heat Transfer

Ensuring your commercial building has proper insulation can reduce your energy bill by 10%. Apart from the usual culprits like your windows and walls that are points of heat loss, be on the lookout for other areas you can optimize like the 

• Roof 

• Attic 

• Electric outlets 

• HVAC ducts 

• Pipes

Proper insulation helps you maintain the desired temperature while reducing dependence on cooling and heating systems. You can prevent the energy waste by:

• Sealing air leaks around doors and windows 

• Applying caulk and weather stripping 

Upgrading your windows is another way of enhancing your building’s energy efficiency. You can opt to:

• Install double or triple-pane windows

• Add window treatment

• Apply reflective coatings

4. Utilizing Building Management Systems and Energy Monitoring Tools

Implementing water and energy monitoring systems can help identify inefficiencies in your commercial building. Having a Building Management System allows you to integrate various systems into a centralized control unit. 

In this instance, you can leverage our experts at Attune to provide you with tech solutions like 

• Internet of Things 

• AI-powered controls 

With our help, you can monitor and optimize your building’s real-time energy management.

Installing energy monitoring tech further enables you to make prompt, data-driven energy decisions. This tech includes 

• Energy management software 

• Smart meters 

• Submetering

• CT energy monitoring for Alternating Current

5. Using Energy-Efficient Appliances and Equipment

Modern appliances utilize less electricity than their traditional counterparts. They can vary from small items like energy-efficient water heaters to large appliances like air conditioners and washing machines. 

The revolutionary refrigerator, for instance, incorporated advanced insulation that lowers thermal exchange. They may also have an inverter compressor that adjusts its speed depending on the cooling demand. This inverter is more energy-efficient than the traditional fixed-speed compressor. 

6. Integrating Renewable Energy Sources

Investing in eco-friendly alternative energy sources can help offset your building-related emissions. Depending on your region and building location, you can opt for:

• Solar energy, one of the most widely adopted and accessible renewable energy sources for sustainable buildings. To utilize the sun’s energy, install solar panels on or adjacent to the building. You can leverage the government incentives, like the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit, to lower your 

  • Installation expenses

  • Maintenance costs 

  • Payback times

• On-site renewable energy systems are another alternative that includes

  • Geothermal systems 

  • Wind turbines 

For instance, geothermal heat pumps are an efficient, cost-effective alternative to conventional HVAC systems. 

Optimize Your Building's Energy Consumption With Attune

Achieving energy efficiency in your building not only saves you a pretty penny but also safeguards the environment. Without help, implementing these energy conservation measures for commercial buildings may be tricky. 

Luckily, we at Attune are ready to help you with cutting-edge IoT solutions that aid in performing energy audits to identify existing inefficiencies. With intelligent automation and predictive analytics, you can make impactful improvements to your commercial building. Contact us today to schedule a demo of how our solutions that seamlessly integrate into your existing infrastructure to enjoy lower operating costs.

FAQs About Commercial Energy Savings

1. What consumes the most energy in a commercial building? 

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning  (HVAC) systems typically utilize the most energy. Lighting systems and office equipment follow closely.

2. What is the IRS deduction for energy-efficient commercial buildings? 

Section 179D offers tax deductions of up to $1.88 per square foot for qualifying energy-efficient improvements.

3. What are the best practices for energy efficiency in commercial buildings? 

You can start with 

• Regular maintenance of your HVAC systems

• Upgrading to LED lighting and compact fluorescent lamp bulbs

• Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances

• Installing smart controls 

• Insulating your commercial building

• Monitoring energy usage with real-time analytics through Attune’s IoT solutions