It is not a secret for anybody in the design and construction industry that buildings alone are responsible for around 40% of the total energy consumed in the US. However, if such buildings (commercial and governmental ones) are empty for most of the year, how do they manage to consume so much energy when nobody is around?

In fact, around 70% of the time a building is unattended but still consuming energy is related to holidays, weekends, or off hours. Can you imagine that? Can you justify spending almost 3/4 of your operational costs into something that is empty? I can’t.

If you are in charge of the buildings operational costs, you should know that the three main energy spenders during a building’s off hours are heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting and plugged-in appliances. Combined, they are responsible for up to 75% of the building’s energy usage. If you lease, you also should know there is a great opportunity for you to move to a better, healthier, and more efficient building. The current the economy has created such a tight competition for commercial tenants, where, in order to stand out from the crowd, they have been forced to offer you spaces that are healthier, brighter, and sustainable.

Here are 10 ways contractors are building with energy efficiency in mind:

1. 1. LEED Building — Thanks to a more competitive economy and the increase of sustainability experts, contractors are having a better understating of the benefits of a green building. The result is a project that is more energy efficient.
   2. Inverting Values –  Instead of embracing the old-fashioned culture of cutting down the costs, contractors are now working with architects and designers to understand how much a building actually needs to be operational, eliminating the waste without compromising the building’s performance.
   3. Funds – With so many incentives available thru federal and local governments to promote green energy usage, building owners are now taking advantage of the extra money to invest in green technology. Consequently, contractors have become aware not only of the incentives but also the benefits of green technology.
   4. Education — More and more, manufacturers are offering workshops, seminars, and professional training to trade professionals in order to educate them on their green products, and how such products can benefit contractors, end users and the environments.

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