What Type of Building Uses the Most Energy?

Commercial buildings come in many different types and sizes, but which type uses the most energy? According to recently released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the three biggest users in terms of energy consumption per square foot are foodservice facilities, grocery stores and hospitals. The following table breaks it down.

Buildings are becoming more energy efficient

Commercial buildings are mostly more energy efficient when you compare the most recent EIA data to the 2012 Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey, which was released in 2015. In the 2012 survey, the average energy use for all commercial buildings was 80 kBtu per square foot. In the 2018 survey, that number dropped to 71 per kBtu, an 11% reduction.

This progress looks even more impressive when you compare current data to the first building energy survey, conducted in 1979. Then, the average energy use intensity for commercial buildings was 115 kBtu per square foot. That’s a reduction in average building energy use by 38% over the last 40 years or so.

Making your building more energy efficient

Is your building part of this trend? If not, maybe it’s time you started taking steps to reduce your energy use. It’s a great way to save money, improve comfort and demonstrate your organization’s commitment to sustainability. While every building is different, here are simple ways to improve the energy efficiency of your facility.

Check your HVAC. Have your heating and cooling systems cleaned and inspected once a year by a qualified professional.
Weatherize your building envelope. Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. Hire an insulation contract to ensure that your building is well-insulated according to the minimum recommended levels for your climate zone.
Upgrade to LED lighting. LEDs are far more efficient than conventional indoor and outdoor lighting technologies, and they last much longer.
Install lighting controls. Install occupancy, daylighting or timing controls on lighting systems to avoid wasting energy lighting empty spaces or after operating hours.

To optimize savings, hire a qualified energy auditor to perform an energy assessment of your facility. Your auditor will inspect your facility and provide you with a list of targeted recommendations to help you improve energy efficiency and reduce operating costs.

Free online energy resources

Long-term energy savings requires planning. The U.S. Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) Guidelines for Energy Management outlines a multi-step process to help you design and implement a successful energy management plan. Start by using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, a free online tool that helps you compare your energy use against similar facilities and target energy-saving opportunities.

If your facility is one of those high energy users, the EPA has also developed energy efficiency guidelines for you:

By doing your part, you can help ensure that today’s buildings continue to become more energy efficient and sustainable.