• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Careers
  • Press Releases
  • Testimonials
  • Travel Policy
858.587.2874
Ivey Engineering
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Newsletter
    • Press Releases
    • Scholarship Contest
    • Travel Policy
    • Testimonials
  • Expertise
    • Overview
    • HVAC
    • Plumbing
    • Fire Suppression
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Building Codes
    • Design
    • Construction
    • Facility Condition Assessment
  • Services
    • Overview
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Defects
    • Estimating & Cost Analysis
    • Building System Evaluation
    • Forensic Investigation & Failure Analysis
    • HVAC & Plumbing Design
    • Indoor Cultivation Facility Design
    • Professional Liability
    • Product Testing
  • Our Team
    • Conrad Gonzalez
    • Kevin Hastings, P.E.
    • Nancy Ivey
    • William Ivey, P.E.
    • Jorie Obias-Yambao
    • Joseph Palanca, P.E.
    • Gloria Rodriguez
    • Nova Sevilla
    • David Shreve, P.E.
    • Felix Touza, P.E.
    • Gregory Weintraub
    • Lisa Zollinger
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • California Office
    • Florida Office
    • Virginia Office
    • Ask an Expert
    • Request Fee Schedule
    • Request Resume
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Menu Menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Careers
    • Newsletter
    • Press Releases
    • Scholarship Contest
    • Travel Policy
    • Testimonials
  • Expertise
    • Overview
    • HVAC
    • Plumbing
    • Fire Suppression
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Carbon Monoxide
    • Building Codes
    • Design
    • Construction
    • Facility Condition Assessment
  • Services
    • Overview
    • Construction Claims
    • Construction Defects
    • Estimating & Cost Analysis
    • Building System Evaluation
    • Forensic Investigation & Failure Analysis
    • HVAC & Plumbing Design
    • Indoor Cultivation Facility Design
    • Professional Liability
    • Product Testing
  • Our Team
    • Conrad Gonzalez
    • Kevin Hastings, P.E.
    • Nancy Ivey
    • William Ivey, P.E.
    • Jorie Obias-Yambao
    • Joseph Palanca, P.E.
    • Gloria Rodriguez
    • Nova Sevilla
    • David Shreve, P.E.
    • Felix Touza, P.E.
    • Gregory Weintraub
    • Lisa Zollinger
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • California Office
    • Florida Office
    • Virginia Office
    • Ask an Expert
    • Request Fee Schedule
    • Request Resume
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
You are here: Home1 / Construction2 / 6 Ways to Make a Building (or Home) More Energy Efficient
building with yellow window shades

6 Ways to Make a Building (or Home) More Energy Efficient

in Construction, HVAC/by Lisa Zollinger

Many buildings constructed prior to 1973 were not energy efficient and relied on non-renewable energy sources, such as petroleum, natural gas and coal. However, a group of 12 oil-rich countries created the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which enacted a limit on the quantity of petroleum that other non-producing countries could purchase. Eventually,  OPEC terminated the embargo, but for years after the regulation was created, non-petroleum producing countries had to adapt their lifestyles to function with less dependence on fossil fuels. As a result, the need for energy-efficient structures blossomed, and improved ways of construction came about, all designed to conserve energy.

When it comes to energy consumption, the goal for any building owner or even homeowner is to save money while still conserving energy. From the simple, economical ways to the more complex and expensive, here are 6 Ways to Make a Building (or Home) More Energy Efficient.

1. Improve the Building’s Insulation

Typically, there is a correlation between a building’s energy efficiency and its insulation. According to energystar.gov, thoroughly insulating floors, walls and ceilings can help save up to 10 percent on total annual energy costs of a building. With a higher grade insulation, a building will not have to run heating and cooling systems as frequently, which saves energy. If a building is not sealed properly, air leaks will affect the indoor climate, forcing the HVAC systems to run more, which wastes both energy and money.

A building with insulation and steel beams

2. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting

Another way to conserve building energy is to use energy-efficient lighting on both the inside and outside of a building. Incandescent light bulbs can be replaced with fluorescent bulbs, which, according to Environmental Encyclopedia, use at least 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs, and they often last 20 times longer. Changing something as simple as a few light bulbs can make a difference. Also, since fluorescent bulbs tend to last longer than incandescent bulbs, they don’t need to be replaced as often. An even better option are LED light bulbs and fixtures, which are more energy efficient and last up to five times longer than florescent bulbs. LEDs  also operate much cooler, which for some commercial buildings can reduce the building’s cooling load.

someone installing LED light bulb into fixture

3. Utilize a More Efficient Cooling/Heating Equipment

If a building or home’s heating and cooling equipment is more than 10 years old, needs frequent repairs and energy bills continue to increase, then it may be time to upgrade to something more efficient. Proper sizing and installation are key elements to determine HVAC efficiency.

If, for example, the A/C unit installed is too large for the building, it will not adequately remove humidity. And too small of a unit will not be able to maintain a comfortable temperature on the hottest days. Even if your heating or cooling equipment is only 10 years old, you can still save 20 to 40 percent of energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.

Also, if you still have a traditional tank-based water heater, consider switching it out for a tankless water heater. These more efficient water heaters use roughly 30 to 50 percent less energy than traditional ones.

HVAC unit of a home

4. Use a Strategic Building Facade Design

Aside from proper insulation, a more strategic design of the building façade can have a dramatic effect on energy consumption. For example, a building constructed with windows facing the sun uses natural heating in colder climates. (If you don’t want the additional heat from the sun, say in the summer, fixed and movable awnings are a great option to shade windows.) A building built partially underground utilizes the natural cooling in warmer weather and insulation in colder weather.

building with south facing windows

5. Focus on Renewable Energy Sources

Prior to the creation of technology that allows energy to be harvested from nature, fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil, were used as fuel. Fossil fuels are still used a substantial amount. About 74 percent of the world’s energy needs come from fossil fuels. Unfortunately, the burning of fossil fuels depletes natural resources and can harm the environment. To avoid this issue, renewable energy sources are employed because they produce relatively little waste and are freely available for years to come.

Advancements in technology include the use of solar cells, a form of renewable energy that is commonly used on solar panels. Solar cells convert the sun’s energy into a useable form of renewable energy. Since the sun is used for energy, the need for non-renewable energy sources decreases, allowing buildings to be more efficient.

field of solar panels

6. Implement Cogeneration Systems

Cogeneration systems are used to increase the energy efficiency of large facilities such as hospitals, resorts and industrial plants. Waste heat is recovered from onsite electric generators and used for space heating and domestic water heating, thus the term, cogeneration. The use of waste heat from an industrial process can also be used, which prevents energy from being wasted and thus increases the energy efficiency of the plant.

Even if you only start out with the more simple tips, such as swapping out old incandescent light bulbs with LEDs or upgrading insulation, these small changes can still make a difference with a building’s energy efficiency. Implementing these six strategies above not only helps save building owners money, but they’re also a smart move in sustaining the environment and preserving our natural resources.

Which of these six strategies can you implement to make your home or office building more energy efficient?

Coincidentally, we came up with a list of the top energy efficiency buildings in the United States that get high marks for sustainability and innovation.

If you’re ever in need of an energy efficiency expert, give Ivey Engineering a call today.

Tags: buildings, energy consumption, energy efficiency, featured, home
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
You might also like
A clogged kitchen sink filled with dirty water and utensils5 Things to Do if You Want to Unclog Your Kitchen Sink
The scene of a car and tractor crash5 Personal Injury Verdicts You Won’t Believe
plumbing pipes in buildingHow to Overcome Gravity in High-Rise Plumbing Systems (March 2023)
verdict paul newman movie expert witness5 Worst Movie Examples of Expert Witnesses
Actress Charlize Theron in the movie North Country6 Class Action Lawsuits that Changed U.S. History
outlet with plug on fire6 Tips to Help Prevent a Home or Building Fire
6 replies
  1. Taylor Bishop
    Taylor Bishop says:
    June 13, 2019 at 12:42 pm

    I appreciate that you explained different ways a building could be more energy efficient. You mentioned that ti’s important to make sure you use a higher grade insulation. I’m interested to learn if the insulation you should use would also depend on where the building is and what the climate is like year-round there.

    • Lisa
      Lisa says:
      September 30, 2019 at 4:53 pm

      So glad you enjoyed the article Taylor! Yes, it definitely matters where the building is located when figuring out the type of insulation you use.

  2. shutters auckland
    shutters auckland says:
    July 2, 2020 at 2:18 am

    It provides the best information regarding the ways which help to build home energy efficient. I would suggest everyone to go through this blog. I like the way you have researched and presented these exact points so clearly.I love your posts always.

  3. Eva McKean
    Eva McKean says:
    February 3, 2021 at 5:24 pm

    Thanks for the information you’ve shared! I love how we can conserve energy and save money through energy-efficient builders. They use eco-friendly materials and it is comfortable to live in.

    • Lisa Zollinger
      Lisa Zollinger says:
      February 15, 2021 at 3:42 pm

      We’re glad you enjoyed reading it!

  4. Jolly
    Jolly says:
    November 16, 2021 at 5:19 am

    Thanks for useful information.

Comments are closed.

CONNECT on LinkedIn
FOLLOW on Twitter
CONNECT on Facebook

Recent Blog Posts

  • High rise building with lights on6 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Commercial BuildingsFebruary 16, 2023 - 4:56 pm
  • outlet with plug on fire6 Tips to Help Prevent a Home or Building FireOctober 31, 2022 - 4:59 pm
  • white pipe leaking water4 Common Causes of Mold in Buildings or HomesSeptember 23, 2022 - 2:15 pm
  • old copper gas boiler6 Most Common Causes of Carbon Monoxide PoisoningDecember 21, 2021 - 3:49 pm

Categories

  • Community
  • Construction
  • Courtroom
  • Electrical
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Fire & Life Safety
  • Fire Protection
  • HVAC
  • Newsletter
  • Plumbing
  • Press Releases
  • Sustainable Living

Archives

Tags

architecture bathroom buildings claim class action comedy court case courtroom drama energy consumption energy efficiency environmentally friendly expert witness featured fire & life safety fire protection hilarious history home house HVAC lawsuit massive irrigation system master bathroom medical imaging mistakes modern modern plumbing systems movies opinion plastic pipe plumbing plumbing code plumbing systems plumbing videos problems rainwater harvesting remodel project renewable sources renovation settlement solar panels sustainability trial verdict

About Us

Ivey Engineering, based in San Diego, California, with offices in Tampa, Florida and Richmond, Virginia, has performed expert witness and forensic consulting services since 1994. IEI serves clients in over 30 states. Our staff is comprised of engineers, former construction executives and service and repair professionals who are licensed in various states.

Get in Touch

Phone: 858.587.2874

Fax: 858.587.6749

E-mail: [email protected]

Address: 8330 Juniper Creek Lane

San Diego, CA 92126

From Our Blog

  • High rise building with lights on6 Ways to Reduce the Cost of Energy in Commercial BuildingsFebruary 16, 2023 - 4:56 pm
  • outlet with plug on fire6 Tips to Help Prevent a Home or Building FireOctober 31, 2022 - 4:59 pm
  • white pipe leaking water4 Common Causes of Mold in Buildings or HomesSeptember 23, 2022 - 2:15 pm
© Copyright 2023 - Ivey Engineering Inc.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Expertise
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Top 4 Expert Witness Traits to Considerman serving as expert witness in a courtroomman suffering from allergies and wiping nose5 Ways to Reduce Allergens in the Home
Scroll to top