The construction industry contributes significantly to global CO2 emissions. However, goals have been set to reduce energy consumption from buildings, especially older existing buildings, through renovations that install more efficient systems like HVAC. Updating to newer energy efficient equipment can dramatically lower emissions and reduce maintenance costs. Construction companies can also optimize energy use through maintaining equipment well and reusing materials whenever possible. A home energy score test evaluates a building's structure and systems to determine its efficiency and recommend improvements. Switching to more plastic-based insulation, HVAC, windows, and roofing can further boost efficiency.

1. ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
IN CONSTRUCTION
Daniel Lambraia

2. The energy use in construction has
changed over the years. In 1999 the
construction industry contributed about
35% of the total CO2 emissions, making
it one of the most hazardous industries.
With the new effort to reduce CO2
emissions throughout the world and
switch to renewable energy sources, the
construction industry is following suit.

3. In the United Kingdom, new goals have
been set to reduce energy consumption
in general and in buildings more
specifically. By 2020, all new buildings
will be required to report a statistic of
nearly zero energy consumption.

4. New buildings are not the main concern
when it comes to energy use, as they're
built with energy efficiency in mind. The
focus here is more on renovating existing
buildings that are producing high levels of
CO2 emissions. Installing new energy
saving systems, like newer HVAC systems,
can help reduce energy consumption in
these older buildings dramatically.

5. Reducing the emissions from older
buildings is only the first enticing part of
updating older buildings with new
equipment. Another eye-catching figure is
that the cost of maintaining these
buildings is substantially lower if the
building is optimized for energy
efficiency.

6. Construction companies themselves can
ensure that their optimizing energy use by
keeping their machinery and equipment
in good operating condition as well as
increasing efforts to reuse and recycle
their equipment whenever they can.

7. A great tool to use to determine how well
your building or home scores on energy
efficiency is using the home energy score.
This test is based on the buildings
structure, heating, cooling, and hot water
systems. The score will not only tell how
energy efficient your building is but it will
also recommend where things need to be
updated and improved to raise the score.

8. On top of that, the scale that is used to
determine your score will offer estimated
savings as your rise through the scale. An
example of this would be if your building
scored a 5 out of 10, the scale would
then show you that if you raised your
score just by two points to a 7 that you
would be saving close to $4,000 more
over the next 10 years.

9. Many construction companies have begun
switching to more plastic based
maintenance to improve energy
efficiency. The main areas that plastic is
being incorporated is in insulation, HVAC,
windows, and roofing.

10. Plastic based insulation improves the
thermal performance of a wall while also
sealing gaps and leaks. Reportedly, up to
40% of your heating and cooling energy
can be lost through leaky HVAC systems.
Using plastic materials and sealing tapes
can help reduce the leakage, which will
improve the efficiency of the systems
resulting in lower energy usage and lower
overall cost.

11. Updating your windows with plastic
materials that are put over window glass
surfaces, you can expect to lower your
cooling costs. These plastic covers reflect
light instead of absorbing it. Using a
similar plastic as the windows, you can
lower the amount of heat that is brought
in through the roof, which will lower the
costs of cooling the building during hot
summer months.

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READING!
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mDaniel Lambraia