Easy Ways to Make a Building More Energy Efficient

Upgraded insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors is another technique to increase energy efficiency. This can assist prevent heat loss in the winter and gain in the summer, resulting in cheaper energy bills and better comfort. Installing a programmable thermostat is also a cost-effective strategy to cut energy use by scheduling temperatures and minimizing usage during unoccupied or overnight hours.

Finally, replacing older HVAC systems with newer, more energy-efficient units can considerably cut energy use and expenditures. In addition to these measures, numerous more technologies and approaches for improving energy efficiency are available, such as smart lighting and advanced building automation systems.

Making a building more energy efficient not only saves money on power bills, but also has a positive influence on the environment by cutting carbon emissions. Building owners can improve the comfort, efficiency, and sustainability of their facilities by installing simple energy-saving measures.

There are various simple techniques to improve a building’s energy efficiency. Installing energy-efficient lighting, such as LED or CFL bulbs, is one of the most effective strategies to cut energy usage and lower electricity bills. Furthermore, caulking or weatherstripping air leaks in a building’s envelope can increase energy efficiency and comfort by preventing conditioned air from departing and outside air from entering.

Upgraded insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors is another technique to increase energy efficiency. This can assist prevent heat loss in the winter and gain in the summer, resulting in cheaper energy bills and better comfort. Installing a programmable thermostat is also a cost-effective strategy to cut energy use by scheduling temperatures and minimizing usage during unoccupied or overnight hours.

Finally, replacing older HVAC systems with newer, more energy-efficient units can considerably cut energy use and expenditures. In addition to these measures, numerous more technologies and approaches for improving energy efficiency are available, such as smart lighting and advanced building automation systems.

Making a building more energy efficient not only saves money on power bills, but also has a positive influence on the environment by cutting carbon emissions. Building owners can improve the comfort, efficiency, and sustainability of their facilities by installing simple energy-saving measures.

Building owners may wish to make their structures more energy efficient for a variety of reasons. To begin with, increasing energy efficiency can result in significant savings on power expenditures. Building owners can reduce their electricity, heating, and cooling costs by reducing their energy usage, which can add up to significant savings over time.

Improving energy efficiency can raise the value of a building in addition to saving money. Buildings with high energy efficiency ratings are usually more appealing to prospective purchasers or renters since they have reduced operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

Another motive for improving a building’s energy efficiency is to lessen its environmental impact. Because buildings account for a substantial amount of worldwide energy consumption and carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency can help minimize a building’s carbon footprint and contribute to global climate change initiatives.

Improving energy efficiency can also improve building inhabitants’ comfort and health. Buildings that are adequately insulated, ventilated, and have efficient heating and cooling systems can provide a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment, which can contribute to enhanced productivity and well-being.

Making a building more energy efficient can have substantial financial, environmental, and health benefits. Building owners can save expenses, boost value, and contribute to a more sustainable future by using energy-saving techniques and technology.

What Can Building Owners Do to Renovate an Existing Building so That it’s More Energy Efficient?

There are several easy ways to make a building more energy efficient, including:

• Increase or increase insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors to assist prevent heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, resulting in cheaper energy bills and improved comfort.
• Installing energy-efficient windows with double or triple panes and low-emissivity coatings can improve insulation and reduce heat loss, resulting in decreased energy use and improved comfort.
• Replace typical incandescent bulbs with LED or CFL bulbs to drastically cut energy usage and lower electricity bills.
• Replace old, inefficient HVAC systems with newer, energy-efficient units to drastically cut energy use and expenditures. Adding programmable thermostats and air filtration systems can boost efficiency and comfort even further.
• Install renewable energy systems: Solar panels or wind turbines can provide renewable energy while reducing dependency on grid electricity, resulting in lower bills and a smaller environmental effect.
• Seal air leaks: Caulking or weatherstripping air leaks in the building’s envelope can increase energy efficiency and comfort by preventing conditioned air from exiting and outside air from entering.
• Install modern building automation systems, smart lighting, and other technology to improve energy efficiency and minimize costs.

Improving the energy efficiency of an existing structure might include a variety of tactics and technology. Building owners can find the most effective techniques for their specific needs and budget by collaborating with skilled architects, engineers, and builders, resulting in increased comfort, lower expenses, and a more sustainable future.

It is difficult to pinpoint the single most essential aspect in enhancing a building’s energy efficiency because the most successful technique can vary depending on the specific building and its unique energy consumption patterns. However, many experts believe that boosting insulation is often one of the most cost-effective and impactful energy-efficiency methods.

Good insulation can assist reduce heat transmission through walls, ceilings, and floors, making heating and cooling systems work harder and consume more energy. A structure can maintain a more stable temperature and use less energy to keep inhabitants comfortable by boosting insulation levels.

Sealing air leaks in a building’s envelope, in addition to insulation, can be an essential aspect in improving energy efficiency. Building owners can reduce the amount of energy required to maintain suitable indoor temperatures by keeping conditioned air from exiting and outside air from entering, resulting in cheaper energy bills and increased comfort.

Ultimately, increasing energy efficiency is a multifaceted task that can involve a variety of tactics and technologies, with the most efficient approach depending on the individual demands and conditions of a given building.

A Real Example of How a Building in New Jersey Improved Their Energy Efficiency

Every day, buildings in New Jersey take action. to improve their energy efficiency.  Here is a real example of how a building improved its energy efficiency and the results:

The NJ National Guard Armory in Bordentown is one real-life example of a building that increased its energy efficiency. The structure is a historic edifice from the early 1900s that needed to be renovated to improve its energy efficiency.

The restoration project featured numerous strategies to cut energy use, such as:

• Building envelope improvements included insulating the outside stone walls and replacing the roof with a new, insulated roof system.
• Lighting replacement: Throughout the building, existing lighting fixtures were replaced with high-efficiency LED lighting, reducing energy consumption and improving lighting quality.
• HVAC system upgrades: The aging heating and cooling systems in the building were replaced with high-efficiency units, which reduced energy consumption and improved occupant comfort.
• Installing solar panels: A 98-kilowatt solar panel system was installed, which creates renewable energy and offsets a portion of the building’s energy use.

These solutions saved the building a large amount of energy, with an anticipated reduction in energy usage of more than 50%. The project was accomplished with the help of the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities and the NJ Clean Energy Program, which provided finance and technical assistance.

The reconstruction of the NJ National Guard Armory exemplifies how improving energy efficiency can be both financially and environmentally beneficial, while also protecting historic structures for future generations.

For more information visit: www.nj.gov

It’s time to take action if you want to reduce your building’s energy consumption and running costs. Contact our energy efficiency specialists today to book an energy assessment and learn how to make your building more efficient.

Insulation upgrades, window replacements, lighting retrofits, HVAC system upgrades, and renewable energy installations are among the services we provide. Our skilled staff will work with you to find the most efficient solutions for improving energy efficiency in your facility, as well as assist you in navigating various incentives and financing alternatives to optimize your savings.

Don’t put off starting to save energy and money any longer. Contact us today to learn more about our energy efficiency services and begin your journey toward a more sustainable future.

Article by
Rebecca Samson
Editor, Bio Development