Commercial and residential buildings are under constant pressure to reduce their energy consumption. Buildings are the largest electricity consumer in the United States, accounting for more than half of all primary energy use and around 76% of overall power usage. Suppose we want our planet’s future generations to live in a healthy environment. In that case, we must reduce our energy consumption in this sector.
The world is quickly running out of energy resources. Your excessive consumption will result in an energy supply shortage and a spike in electricity costs. The higher demand may strain endangered environmental areas, such as greenhouse gas emissions, gross domestic product, population, and labor growth in the long run.
Be aware of your energy consumption and reduce your usage if you want to conserve energy and protect the environment. There are a few things your business can do to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort or productivity:
Use natural lighting
During the daytime, open your curtains and blinds and let the sunshine in. But the best way to take advantage of natural lighting long-term is to install a roof lantern. A roof lantern is a type of skylight typically installed on the ceilings of commercial buildings.
Roof lanterns are an efficient approach to decreasing energy consumption since they allow natural light into the facility, thus reducing the need for artificial lighting. Also, the longer hours of sunlight during the summer months will save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Adding energy-efficient glass to the roof lantern will keep your building cool, allowing it to stay warmer for longer. You’ll notice a difference immediately as improved thermal efficiency will enable you to save money on heating and cooling expenses. This can also improve well-being by giving frequent exposure to natural sunlight.
Properly seal and insulate your building
One of the most common ways to reduce energy consumption is sealing and insulating your building. This will help to prevent heat from escaping in winter and keep cool air inside during summer. To properly seal and protect your building, you should:
- Seal any cracks or gaps around doors and windows
- Add weather stripping around doors and windows
- Install insulation in the walls, attic, and floors
By properly sealing and insulating your building, you can reduce your energy consumption by up to 30%. This will not only save you money on your energy bills but also help to reduce your carbon footprint.
Install energy-efficient lighting
Another way to reduce your building’s energy consumption is to install energy-efficient lighting. This can be done by replacing your old incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs. You will save money in the long term by switching to LED bulbs. They also tend to last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so you won’t have to replace them as often.
There are several LED lighting options available that can help you save energy and money. For example, you can install LED exit signs that use 90% less energy than incandescent ones. You can also replace your old fluorescent tube lights with LED tube lights. LED tube lights use 50% less energy than fluorescent tube lights and last up to 10 times longer.
Install solar panels
Solar panels are a great way to reduce your building’s energy consumption. They convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power your building. Solar panels are a renewable energy source, so you’ll do your part to help the environment by installing them.
Solar panels are a long-term investment and will save you money on your energy bills in the long run. They are also relatively easy to install and require little maintenance. Installing solar panels can save as much as 50% on your energy bill.
Upgrade your HVAC system
Your building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are responsible for much of your energy consumption. Therefore, upgrading to an energy-efficient HVAC system is crucial to reducing your building’s energy consumption.
There are many different types of energy-efficient HVAC systems available on the market. For example, you can install a heat pump, which uses 25% less energy than a traditional HVAC system. You can also install an air-source heat pump, which is even more efficient and can save up to 50% on your energy bill.
Install a green roof
A green roof is a type of roof that is covered in vegetation. Green roofs help reduce energy consumption by cooling the building and reducing the amount of heat transferred into the building. They also act as an insulation layer, which helps to keep the building cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
Green roofs are a great way to reduce your building’s energy consumption and help the environment. They are easy to install and require little maintenance. Green roofs can also save you money on your energy bills by reducing your cooling and heating costs.
To decide which type would be best for the job, consider what weather conditions it will experience; if they’re too dry or wet, then certain types may not work well anymore. Some sample plants you could use for a green roof are sedum, echeveria, and sempervivum. These plants are easy to care for and can tolerate extreme weather conditions.
To sum up
Commercial buildings should start planning on how to conserve energy. Buildings account for a significant percentage of energy use in the United States, so those responsible for these buildings must be proactive in reducing the amount of energy consumed. There are many ways to reduce energy consumption; by taking these few tips, you’ll save money on your energy bills and help the environment.