How to Improve the Energy Consumption of Buildings?

Buildings: responsible for high energy consumption

‘Buildings are a central part of our daily lives, and we spend a large part of our days in them- at home, at work, or during our spare time. In its different forms – homes, workplaces, schools, hospitals, libraries, or other public buildings – the built environment is, however, the single largest energy consumer in the EU. And one of the largest carbon dioxide emitters. Collectively, buildings in the EU are responsible for 40% of our energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, which mainly stem from construction, usage, renovation, and demolition.’ (1)

‘By 2040, total energy consumption in the world is expected to increase by about 40% and, despite developments in the field of alternative energy sources, fossil fuels are expected to continue to account for more than 75% of the energy used, which means that CO2 emissions will continue to increase. Although new energy-efficient buildings can be built, existing builds will continue to account for most of the energy consumption making it extremely important to improve the energy efficiency of these properties.’ (2)

Buildings account for a significant portion of all energy use, having a considerable role in global energy consumption. Finding solutions to reduce the energy consumption of buildings has become a top priority as our society recognizes the value of energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. We can improve energy efficiency and lessen the environmental effect of our buildings by putting various techniques and technology into use.

Don’t underestimate the importance of collected data

Performing an energy diagnosis is a crucial first step in reducing building energy use. This procedure entails keeping an eye on how much energy is used by various building functions, including lighting, ventilation, heating, and air conditioning. Data on energy consumption, patterns, and inefficiencies can be collected to help identify areas for improvement.

Unlocking industrial sustainability and energy efficiency requires access to accurate and relevant data. Organizations can make decisions that improve their energy footprint by being transparent and having access to information about energy. In order to generate collective intelligence, data must be taken ownership of and engagement with partners across the value chain encouraged. This cooperative strategy enables energy-efficient choices that take into account a product’s whole lifecycle, optimize energy usage inside a plant, and eventually lower emissions. Industries can create a more sustainable and energy-efficient future by utilizing the power of data.

What strategies can be used?

Here are three effective strategies to increase energy efficiency in buildings:

1) Reducing the Need for Heating and Ventilation:

Reducing the reliance on heating and ventilation systems is one method to improve energy efficiency. This can be done by properly insulating and sealing the building envelope, which will stop hot or cooled air from escaping. It is possible to maintain a comfortable home temperature without overusing heating or cooling systems by improving the insulation in walls, roofs, and windows. Further reducing the need for artificial heating and ventilation is possible by adopting passive design strategies, such as making the most of daylight and natural ventilation.

2) Optimizing Light Sources

Improving the building’s lighting system is another way to boost energy efficiency. Traditional incandescent lights produce a lot of heat and use a lot of energy. Energy-saving alternatives like LED or CFL bulbs can be used in their place to save a ton of energy. These contemporary lighting solutions use a lot less energy, are more durable, and produce superior illumination. Moreover, sensors and automatic lighting controls may make sure that lights are only on when they are required, reducing energy waste.

3) Utilizing Smart Technology to Optimize Energy Usage

The incorporation of smart technology solutions can significantly improve a building’s energy efficiency. For instance, smart automation devices can intelligently control heating and cooling based on occupancy and schedules, delivering maximum comfort while minimizing energy use. Building automation and control systems can also be used to continuously monitor and modify energy usage. These systems can maximize the performance of numerous building services, including lighting, heating, ventilation, and even appliances, by utilizing sensors, complex algorithms, and data analysis. This maximizes efficiency while minimizing energy usage by only using resources when necessary.

Building owners and managers can start putting measures in place to improve energy performance once they have an energy diagnosis in hand. This will lead to long-term energy savings, lower utility costs, and a more sustainable environment.

The benefits of monitoring carry over into the future

A breakthrough energy consumption reduction is the use of renewable energy sources in building design and operation. Clean electricity can be produced by mounting solar panels on roofs and utilized to power a variety of building services. Depending on the area and viability, geothermal systems or wind turbines can also offer sustainable energy sources.

‘Energy efficient buildings are buildings which are designed to provide a significant reduction of the energy need for heating; Lighting and cooling through improved building design and construction. Buildings which are designed and constructed today, contributes to serious environmental and economic problems due to excessive consumption of energy and other natural resources. They have a significant share in total energy consumed globally.’ (3)

In addition, putting in place energy management systems can offer a thorough strategy for improving energy efficiency in buildings. Real-time monitoring and analyzing energy data by these systems enable proactive detection of energy inefficiencies and prospective improvement areas. Building owners and managers can maintain effective operations and achieve long-term energy savings by regularly monitoring energy consumption and swiftly applying corrective actions.

In conclusion, reducing buildings’ energy use is an essential first step in achieving energy efficiency and sustainability. We can significantly lower energy consumption and lessen the environmental impact of buildings by conducting energy diagnoses, investing in energy-efficient technologies, optimizing building operations through automation and control systems, improving insulation, incorporating renewable energy sources, educating occupants, and putting energy management systems in place.

Discover both the Cloud Software solutions and the wireless and wired devices for data collection in this type of application, capable of transmitting data even over long distances and in difficult environmental conditions.

(1) Energy efficiency in buildings. European Commission. (2020, February 17). https://commission.europa.eu/news/focus-energy-efficiency-buildings-2020-02-17_en

(2) Natividade, J.; Cruz, C.O.; Silva, C.M. Improving the Efficiency of Energy Consumption in Buildings: Simulation of Alternative EnPC Models. Sustainability 2022, 14, 4228. https://doi.org /10.3390/su14074228

(3) S.M. Renuka, C.M. Maharani, S. Nagasudha, R. Raveena Priya, Optimization of energy consumption based on orientation and location of the building, Materials Today: Proceedings, Volume 65, Part 2, 2022, Pages 527-536, ISSN 2214-7853. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2022.03.081