Best Commercial Building Construction Approaches for Energy Efficient

There are many reasons why your commercial building should employ energy-efficient approaches. You could play your part in curtailing the climate challenge, save resources and money as well. Homeowners and small businesses are using energy-efficient approaches with time. But it is the large commercial buildings that have to take extra steps.

Large residential buildings and commercial spaces consume around 40% of total energy. And a slight change in their approach can have a big impact on the environment.

This article represents the 5 useful approaches that you can follow to make your building energy efficient. These includes:

⦁ Choice of location

⦁ Building design

⦁ Window performance

⦁ Energy-efficient lighting

⦁ Cleaning and maintenance

By employing these approaches, you can reduce energy costs and tighten your profits as well. Continue to read on how these approaches can help you. Consider the below-mentioned factors before hiring a Commercial Construction contractor or building designer.

1. Picking the Right Location

Get a better idea about the location where you are going to start commercial construction. This is a step that you have to take before you start construction. Here are the factors that you should keep in mind while selecting a site location.

A. Site Selection

An ideal site is the one that has little weather exposure, flat topography, and unobstructed Sunlight. This will not only help you build an energy-efficient building but will also result in lowers expenses in the future. In addition to these, keep in mind the other basic factors that are crucial for a building such as services, mass transit, population, etc.

Solar access and weather exposure are the most important points. If you want your building to be energy efficient, you must focus on natural light. Hire an expert for solar analysis and discuss the needed strategies to ensure perfect solar access.

B. Climate

Climatic factors greatly affect your building’s design in many ways. Local climatic conditions affect daylighting opportunities, moisture control strategies, insulation levels, and air-tightness. That’s why you should pay attention to local conditions whether warmer or cold. Consider your design according to the overall climate throughout the year.

2. Consider the Design

Design is the most heart and soul of any building that can make or break its look. Below are some key factors that you should always keep in mind while developing a building’s design.

A. Building Orientation

Orientation is the key feature of any design and requires serious thoughts. We already have discussed the role of a climatic factor in a building’s design. You can get the maximum benefit from seasonal Sun angles to keep your building cool or warm.

Orientation also plays an important role if you are thinking about solar energy. You’ll need a direct southern roof orientation for your solar panels. However, it is better to discuss this aspect with an expert. You can determine the optimal orientation in order to fully capitalize on the sunlight and climate conditions.

B. Shape

When it comes to shape, many people go for architectural complexity. You should consider large, simple shapes instead of smaller ones. Buildings with simple designs are easy to build and cost less. Plus, they are easy to insulate and air seal and don’t take much time.

C. Size

A building’s design is all about shapes and sizes, right? Unfortunately, owners pay little attention to the best use of the space. Most people waste space to achieve a bigger design that has little to none value. Whether you are building a commercial building or a residence, design in to use the space well. Reduce or increase the size of rooms or structures depending on their purposes.

3. Window Performance Metrics

Plan and install your windows keeping in mind these 4 key metrics.

I. U-value

This is a value that represents the rate of heat transfer and is represented by (U). U-value is measured in decimal numbers ranging from 0 to 1. For example, a typical double-glazed window has a U-value of 0.40. Whereas, U-value of a single pane glass is around 1.0.

II. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient

Solar Heat gain coefficient or (SHGC) determines how much Sun heat is penetrating through window glass. It is also measured in decimal numbers ranging from 0 to 1. The higher the number the better the solar heat gain.

III. Visible Transmittance

As the name represents, visible transmittance indicates the visibility of glass. It is also measured in decimals and a lower number means less visibility.

IV. Air Leakage (AL)

Air leakage indicates how well your window is sealed. It is measured against drafts that are present around the operable sash.

4. Energy Efficient Lighting

You can make your building more energy-efficient with the right lighting placement. Sunlight and location of artificial lightning are the two main factors.

A. Daylight

Try to get maximum advantage of daylight by strategically designing your windows. In order to achieve this goal, make sure that all your living areas are south-facing. Windows on the south walls can ensure that your building gets maximum sunlight. You can also spread natural light throughout the house using indoor windows, glass block, and transoms.

B. Artificial Lighting

In case you couldn’t capitalize on the daylight or don’t want to, use artificial lighting wisely. Try to use the task light instead of whole room lighting in your building. Use accent lighting if you need soft light inside a room or in a corner.

5. Consider Your Cleaning Options

Cleaning and maintain a large house or commercial building consumes energy. You can use the following cleaning approaches for a large building or commercial space.

A. Team Cleaning

If you are managing a large commercial space or building, the cleaning team can work as a whole. Instead of allocating floors, ask the janitors to work as a team. They can do the cleaning floor by floor which will save resources.

B. Coordinated Effort

Make sure that your cleaning team is working and coordinating with the security crew. In this manner, they can turn off the equipment that is left on. They can inform the security team in case an office or tenant has left equipment or lights turned on.

C. Occupancy Sensors

The best way to save energy and make your building energy-efficient is by installing motion sensors. Lights can turn on or off in the corridors depending on the activity.

D. Day cleaning

This is the best approach that could save energy as the janitors can use daylight. Also, day cleaning doesn’t need extra lighting and consumes less power.

Takeaway Words

Energy-efficient approaches are in favor of both the building owners and our climate. These approaches can curtail unnecessary expenses, reduce energy costs and help you use natural resources to your advantage. On the contrary, you can play your part to save the climate for which we are all responsible.