Buildings, Energy, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• The energy used in homes and commercial buildings is often generated by burning fossil fuels, which emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
• Making more efficient use of energy is the best starting point for addressing climate change, particularly because there is the potential for immediate financial payoff along with long-term environmental benefits.
• The buildings in which we work, shop, play, and educate our children use about $200 billion worth of electricity and natural gas each year. 2
• Commercial and industrial buildings in the U.S. contribute 45 percent of our national emissions of greenhouse gases.3
• Over the next 25 years, greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are projected to grow faster than any other sector, with emissions from commercial buildings leading the way — a projected 1.8 percent a year through 2030. 4
• By reducing greenhouse gas emissions through improved energy efficiency, businesses save money, improve productivity, protect the environment, and increase the nation's energy security.
• Many of us are taking steps to improve energy efficiency at home, but may not realize that there are opportunities to save at work as well. By making energy-efficient choices at work, Americans can help businesses reduce energy use and save money while preventing climate change.

Energy Efficiency Is Smart Business

• Today, leading companies realize that energy efficiency is not just about smart business or the first step to being green. Instead, they realize that it can have a high return-on-investment and is necessary in order to remain competitive.
• Businesses and organizations that are leaders in energy efficiency use about 30 percent less energy than their competitors.
• Over the last 30 years, energy efficiency has reduced our country’s energy use by 47 percent and is our greatest energy “resource.” 5
• Businesses across the economy are saving energy and experiencing remarkable financial results with the help of ENERGY STAR:
• ENERGY STAR buildings' utility bills are over 50 cents per square foot less than average buildings', and over $2 less per square foot.
• On average, ENERGY STAR buildings use 35 percent less energy than average buildings.
• Full-service hotels that improve energy efficiency by 10 percent see savings equal to an increased average daily rate of $1.35.
• By reducing energy costs by just 5 percent, for-profit hospitals can increase earnings by one penny per share.
• ENERGY STAR offers a clear performance advantage:
• Nearly 30 percent of Fortune 500 companies are ENERGY STAR partners.
• As of the end of 2006, more than 3,200 buildings across the country had earned the ENERGY STAR.
• ENERGY STAR office properties gross higher rents and higher occupancy rates than their non-ENERGY STAR counterparts. 6

Green Isn't Green Without Energy Efficiency

• Although a building can have a wide variety of environmentally friendly features, a building is not truly green unless it is energy efficient.
• Energy efficiency is the single largest way for a building to reduce its “carbon footprint.”
• For assurance that a building is both energy efficient and environmentally sustainable, look for the ENERGY STAR and green building certification together.

ENERGY STAR Is the Solution

• ENERGY STAR provides the tools and resources to help businesses and organizations identify areas for improving energy efficiency and develop a strategic energy management plan. ENERGY STAR offers:
• A national performance rating system for buildings to benchmark and track energy performance.
• Guidance for designing energy-efficient buildings.
• Advice for developing effective organizational energy management programs.
• Case studies and best practices from leading public and private-sector organizations.
• Calculators to estimate returns on energy efficiency investments.
• Materials to communicate with employees, stakeholders, the media, and other interested parties about energy improvements and benefits to the bottom line and the environment.

1 - Energy Information Administration. "2003 CBECS Detailed Tables. Table C4A. Expenditures for Sum of Major Fuels for All Buildings, 2003." December 2006. 1 June 2007 . Energy Information Administration. "2002 Energy Consumption by Manufacturers--Data Tables. Table 7.9 Expenditures for Purchased Energy Sources, 2002." 2002. 1 June 2007 . Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas and Sinks: 1990-2005. "USEPA #430-R-07-002, Table 2-16: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector and Gas with Electricity-Related Emissions." April 2007. 14 June 2007.

2 - Energy Information Administration. "2003 CBECS Detailed Tables. Table C4A. Expenditures for Sum of Major Fuels for All Buildings, 2003." December 2006. 1 June 2007.

3 - Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas and Sinks: 1990-2005. "USEPA #430-R-07-002, Table 2-16: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Economic Sector and Gas with Electricity-Related Emissions." April 2007. 14 June 2007. 

4 - U.S. Green Building Council. 

5 - Alliance to Save Energy.

6 - Co-Star Evaluation 2007.

Source: www.energystar.gov