Data Analytics & Smart Building Science Articles | Buildings IOT Blog

In 2020, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) found that integrating smart technologies and real-time energy management solutions can reduce energy costs by around 15% while boosting ROI and increasing employee productivity. With results like these, it’s no wonder smart buildings are considered the future of the commercial real estate. But smart building energy management system benefits go beyond cost savings.

It’s no secret that commercial buildings have high energy demands. Without energy optimization, this demand puts enormous strain on local power grids, has a significant environmental impact, and eats into profits. That’s why forward-thinking building operators are turning to unified IoT for energy management.

Commercial buildings account for about 35% of all electricity consumed in the United States, and about 30% of the energy used is wasted. That means there is enormous untapped potential for savings. Exploring the latest energy conservation techniques in buildings can help you discover the best ways to harness that potential and reap the benefits of improved efficiency in your Building Energy Management programs.

Commercial buildings account for nearly half of total energy consumption in the U.S. at a cost of more than $300 billion per year. Much of that energy is wasted through inefficiencies, resulting in significant and unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. The energy waste also translates to higher electricity bills that can be avoided by adopting a strategic Building Energy Management approach. 

Efforts to decarbonize the economy have gained rapid adoption in recent years. While energy and transportation tend to get the most coverage, the U.S. building sector consumes 40% of primary energy usage and generates a corresponding percentage of greenhouse gas emissions. Owners who invest in smart, efficiency-focused solutions can significantly reduce their carbon footprints and energy-related costs.

The U.S. EPA estimates that nearly 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted. Inefficient energy usage in lighting and space heating during the winter months results in increased energy consumption and carbon emissions by commercial establishments. Further, the associated price fluctuations in the energy market add to the unpredictability of energy costs for commercial buildings. Efficiency strategies can help facility and property managers reduce commercial energy usage to create sustainable buildings with lighter carbon footprints.

Lighting accounts for 17% of all energy consumed in commercial buildings across the U.S and is one of the largest sources of total electricity consumption in the commercial sector. Improving efficiency can therefore translate to significant savings. You can get started on reducing the cost of electricity in your facilities by taking a closer look at commercial building lighting energy consumption and the potential of efficiency-focused smart technology.

As a leader in architectural engineering, Pennsylvania State University has been at the forefront of sustainable building technology, with the university committed to making its campus more energy efficient while also designing and testing cutting-edge energy appliances and power systems. This primarily happens in two university-owned buildings in the decommissioned Philadelphia Navy Yard. There, researchers test energy systems and experiment with real-world solutions to support sustainable construction.

Though automated building management systems work towards improving energy efficiency, one of the biggest obstacles in achieving energy reduction is human beings. These include developers, building owners, facilities managers, tenants and other building occupants, designers, construction companies, and architects. As anyone who has been involved in a major project knows, the more people involved, the more difficult it becomes to reach agreement.

Going green is a top-of-mind strategy for many facilities managers today, and for good reason. While it’s essential to hit and maintain standard business norms concerning occupant comfort, not to mention preserve status levels for electricity-dependent services of all kinds, it’s also essential to minimize energy costs. Without the right tools, finding a balance between these goals is far from easy.