Real estate has become one of the go-to options for those looking for a way to increase their wealth. As such, commercial property investment can offer great returns. However, your focus must be on the market demand to profit from your investment. Recently, there has been a push for more energy-efficient structures, and commercial buildings are no exception. So, how should you go about creating an energy-efficient building?
Here are six ways to build an energy-efficient commercial building:
Go For Solar Energy
The first step toward establishing an energy-efficient commercial building is using the sun’s energy. Many people now understand the benefits of going green, and that’s why they are opting for properties powered by solar energy. Remember, the energy from the sun is free. So, if you want to say goodbye to the annoying electric bills, going for solar energy isn’t a bad idea.
Solar panels come in different designs and sizes, so choosing one for your building shouldn’t be a big deal. You can check out quotes from Canberra solar panels and other suppliers until you find an option that matches your budget. Likewise, it’s important to note that the government offers tax credits and rebates for solar panels. Therefore, this is a worthy investment and can save you money in the long run.
Use Energy-Efficient Lighting
Lighting is notorious for taking a large share of the monthly electric bill, both at home and in the office. Thus, if you’re looking to establish a green building, your first move should be to invest in energy-efficient lighting. If your building is still running on those old-school bulbs, now is the perfect time for an upgrade. Light-emitting diode (LED) products will work fine in this case.
LED-powered devices are affordable, and you can choose from the different options available on the market. This big switch won’t put a dent in your pocket, too. Aside from lowering your electric bills, you won’t have to worry about replacements anytime soon because LED lights are designed to last long. Thus, it’s a win-win situation.
Increase Natural Lighting
Imagine yourself sitting in an office without any natural lighting all day. Sounds boring, right? An office without any window isn’t only dull but also not energy-efficient. Hence, adding skylights and installing south-facing windows should be a part of your plan when constructing a commercial building. Besides, why should you have offices using incandescent bulbs during the day while they can use natural lighting?
Apart from the lowered cost of energy, exposure to daylight is known to boost concentration and general cognitive performance. So, if you’re looking to develop a building that tenants will find practical for employee productivity, this is your best bet.
Weatherize Windows And Doors
A lot of heat escapes the building through gaps and cracks during the winter season. Doors and windows are notorious for allowing heat to escape, causing your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit to keep running even when it shouldn’t.
One way to deal with HVAC-related energy loss is by weatherizing all the windows and doors and sealing the cracks. Weatherizing the openings is easy because you only need to border the frames with weather-stripping to establish a barrier between indoor and outdoor temperatures. The strips should fit well against the internal border so that they can compress when the door or window shuts.
The best option for doors will be to install a revolving door if you anticipate that your building will have several visitors throughout the day. A revolving door means that the visitors won’t have to open the door after every second. Additionally, experts say that revolving doors are eight times more energy-efficient than standard doors.
Go For High-Efficiency HVAC
Apart from the lighting, your building’s HVAC system is also known to consume too much energy. However, there is little you can do about this because heating and cooling are essential to every corner of a commercial building. Take note that a key to a productive workplace is having an air-conditioned and heated space when needed. Therefore, in a commercial building, the HVAC system may have to run 24/7 because of traffic or the continual activities day or night. Hence, the last thing you would want is to invest in a unit that will consume the most energy.
There are different models available nowadays for an HVAC system for your building. You may research to find a unit with an energy efficiency rating that matches the size of your building. Remember that if you go for one smaller than your building’s demands, it will struggle to keep the environment cool. Meanwhile, if you pick a unit bigger than your building, you will be using more energy than you need. So, consider getting guidance from an HVAC specialist to help you with your selection.
In addition to going for greener HVAC units, installing ceiling fans can also go a long way to help increase energy efficiency in the building. These fans can help distribute air more evenly, decreasing the strain on the unit.
Install Smart Thermostat
If you’re still using those old-school units, it’s time you rethink your energy-efficiency journey. The installation of thermostats is one of the renovations to consider to improve energy efficiency in your building. As mentioned earlier, HVAC units are notorious for siphoning energy. Luckily, technology has evolved; today’s thermostats can even control the HVAC unit without interception.
You may also be surprised to know that there are now smart thermostats. These appliances use the Internet of Things (IoT) to connect to Wi-Fi. With this connection, they can pick the local weather predictions and adjust the indoor conditions. So cool, right?
You can also remotely connect the devices to your phone and program them depending on your building’s schedule. With these energy-efficient features, you can be sure that investing in a smart thermostat is an excellent choice.
Final Words
This article has discussed some ways you can implement to build an energy-efficient commercial building. When you’re ready, you may refer to this guide and try some or all of the tips mentioned for effective results.
In case you have any architectural, structural, and MEP design including fire sprinkler design requirements, or need to design your home renovation project including structure, HVAC design, and energy-efficient systems, feel free to contact us. We provide you with the full permit set design + T24 for your request.
