If you are a construction company owner, you have definitely thought about your company’s energy expenses and usage. However, trying to reduce your consumption and, by extension, your costs, can seem like an insurmountable challenge. But there are a few simple things you can do now that will pay big dividends down the road. In this blog, we’ll learn how to lower construction energy costs.
Using Less Energy During Construction
Energy efficiency in construction encompasses all aspects of the process, from the tools utilized to the appliances fitted in newly constructed buildings. Every step of the way, contractors building energy-efficient homes or commercial buildings must take a number of things into account. Energy efficiency is relevant for:
- Construction supplies
- Moving materials
- Site setup
- Instruments
- Hefty apparatus
- Fuel specifications
- Where the new residence or business building is located
- Grass cutting
- Warmth
- Windows
- Appliances
- Luminance
- HVAC systems stand for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Builders are creating energy-efficient designs in response to growing energy costs and more stringent environmental regulations. Similarly, providers of materials are looking for methods to make their products more energy-efficient.
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for instance, are becoming more and more popular and use six to seven times less energy than traditional light bulbs. LEDs have an 80%+ energy savings potential. Furthermore, they outlast conventional light bulbs by a quarter. When building a new home, builders can use LEDs to appeal to buyers who want energy-efficient, long-lasting lighting. LEDs are also useful in their personal residences and workplaces.
That is only a tiny portion of energy efficiency in building, though. Much more energy is used by construction vehicles and heavy machinery than by light fixtures. Fuel is burned by construction vehicles to move supplies, ready sites, and erect buildings. Construction cranes, concrete mixers, haul trucks, and excavators all need a lot of power to run. If they are not properly maintained, they may also waste fuel.
Thankfully, energy efficiency is becoming popular among equipment manufacturers and contractors as a way to increase revenue and draw in clients. For instance, in 2017, over 100,000 houses that met ENERGY STAR requirements were constructed. At least 10% more energy is used in ENERGY STAR homes than in other types.
The Significance of Energy-Efficiency in Construction
The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that one-third of the energy used worldwide is consumed by residential and commercial buildings. Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, water heating, and cooking consume the majority of a building’s energy. That is an amazing quantity of energy and a huge chance to reduce energy use. If energy-efficient construction methods are used, buildings could potentially account for 41% of global energy savings by 2035, according to the IEA.
Three key approaches to construction practices were identified by the IEA as necessary to achieve energy efficiency in buildings. While each component has a return on its own, the total return on energy efficiency comes from the combination of all three. Professionals in building construction have three main options for increasing energy efficiency:
- Utilizing cutting-edge construction methods and designs to lower the energy consumption of lighting, ventilation, heating, and cooling
- Modernizing structures and swapping out equipment for energy-efficient models
- Controlling energy use through proactive, continuous measures
The importance of using energy-efficient equipment while building is another topic covered by the IEA. By tracking and monitoring fuel use to optimize fuel efficiency, contractors can manage fuel consumption and upgrade outdated equipment.
Energy Efficiency’s Difficulties for the Construction Industry
The IEA also lists the following obstacles to energy efficiency implementation:
- High conversion costs for energy-efficient techniques
- Issues obtaining trustworthy data on energy efficiency
- insufficient technological know-how to plan, build, and maintain structures and machinery
- Insufficient rewards for funding energy-saving initiatives
- Restricted availability of financing for energy efficiency
- Organizing stakeholders in the construction industry is difficult.
These obstacles need to be located and taken down in order for energy-efficient building techniques to flourish. The IEA states that enhancing general energy efficiency practices in the construction sector will require strong leadership and unwavering dedication.
The state of energy efficiency in construction today
Thankfully, energy efficiency is more important now than it has ever been. Energy efficiency has become increasingly important, as almost all builders and construction companies that use fuel-consuming equipment are aware of. Energy efficiency is considered a fundamental business principle by many construction companies. They understand that investing in energy efficiency will pay off in the long run for both their business and their clients. Customers of today tend to favor businesses that use energy efficiently. Contractors must concentrate on energy-saving techniques if they hope to achieve their business objectives.
The largest developments in energy-efficient building construction are occurring inside buildings. Customers of residential and commercial buildings seek designs and products that are environmentally conscious and energy efficient. When projects are built with energy efficiency in mind, consumers are willing to pay for them.
Concurrently, contractors and machinery operators are looking for every opportunity to reduce fuel expenses. Even though fuel-efficient machines initially cost more to buy than less expensive models, more builders are taking these into consideration. Energy-saving equipment offers a great return on investment, as contractors are aware. There is a strong incentive to reduce fuel costs by using fuel-efficient equipment and vehicles because diesel prices are rising.
For building owners, construction equipment operators, and builders, long-term cost savings through energy efficiency are substantial. Furthermore, a lot of people understand how important it is to cut emissions and pollutants.
Energy-Sustainability in Commercial Building
The energy consumption of commercial buildings is high. They consist of offices, retail or industrial spaces, and multi-family housing complexes. Energy use makes up the majority of building operating costs in office buildings and is responsible for almost 20% of the nation’s yearly emissions of greenhouse gases. If it’s not designed and constructed in accordance with energy-efficient standards, the energy bill for any building, be it a shopping center or an apartment building, will be high. In order to mitigate energy consumption, builders must take energy efficiency into account during the planning and construction phases.
Skilled architects and builders understand that each element of a building has an impact on other sections of the structure. The following components of a business building can be energy-efficiently designed:
- Building orientation: Today’s architects make the most of the location of their structures. In order to keep buildings warm in the winter without becoming too hot in the summer, architects design their structures to work with the patterns of the sun and wind rather than against them. Natural climate elements are intentionally incorporated into energy-efficient designs.
- Building envelope: The skeleton and cladding of a structure make up its envelope. The cladding is an additional layer that covers the outside of a building, acting as its “skin” and regulating heat transfer depending on the climate. Energy-efficient elements of the envelope include the vapor barrier, air barrier, exterior cladding, and insulation.
- Modern windows and doors are among the greatest innovations in energy conservation. Insulation is provided solely by glass technology. Customers have more control over the temperature inside a building because modern doors are almost draft-free and have excellent insulation ratings.
- Mechanical systems: Every part of a commercial building, including the HVAC system, is impacted by technology. Computerized controls are used by energy-efficient air conditioners and furnaces to precisely control temperature. These new mechanical systems work together to lower the cost of heating and cooling.
Energy-Sustainability in Residential Building
The same energy-efficient methods and tools used in commercial construction are also beneficial in residential construction. Even though residential projects are smaller in scope, there are still lots of ways to reduce energy usage and costs.
Many of the country’s residential buildings, like its commercial buildings, rely on electricity for other systems like air conditioning and lighting and fossil fuels for heating. Fuel efficiency is the primary goal of modern construction methods. Installing ENERGY STAR appliances, which consume significantly less energy than older ovens, refrigerators, and dishwashers, can often result in those savings. When constructing homes that are energy-efficient, contractors should also take the following into account:
- Landscaping: To help keep a house cool in the summer and protect it from the sun, landscape designers can plant trees.
- Solar power: Solar power can be used to heat water and provide electricity in certain types of homes.
- Advanced house framing, also referred to as optimum value engineering, is a technique that builders can use to improve energy efficiency and minimize waste and use of lumber by substituting insulation material for lumber.
- Cool roofs: By reflecting more light and absorbing less heat, cool roofs help keep homes cooler in the summer.
- LEDs: Installing LEDs throughout a house can provide builders’ clients with energy-efficient, long-lasting lighting.
Almost entirely-energy buildings
Although the term nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEBs) is relatively new, the idea behind them is rapidly gaining traction. The NZEB movement began in Europe and has just lately made its way to the US market. NZEBs are most likely here to stay.
The nearly-zero concept entails planning and erecting a structure such that the total yearly energy cost of the building is almost equal to the quantity of renewable energy generated there. In addition to being more cost-effective to run, these cutting-edge constructions emit significantly less carbon dioxide than traditional buildings, which benefits all parties by encouraging continued energy efficiency.
About half of the energy used by most NZEBs comes from the fossil fuel supply chain or the electrical grid. They produce the remaining half on their own. For this type of construction, geothermal, wind, and solar energy are popular energy sources. Certain NZEBs generate more electricity than they use, and they sell the extra to the grid to boost their return on investment. Contractors looking to increase energy efficiency in their projects may want to think about implementing NZEB design.
How to Reduce the Cost of Equipment Fuel
When it comes to fueling machinery used in construction, diesel remains the preferred option. It is a tried-and-true product that can provide dependable power at a reasonable price. In addition to being more durable than gasoline engines, diesel engines are safer. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of costs.
The cost of construction fuel can be reduced in just two ways. First, use less gasoline. The other is to make better use of it. Thankfully, a lot of contemporary machinery burns fuel more effectively, using less of it. A good example are hybrid machines, which combine diesel engines and electric motors.
But controlling fuel expenses requires more than just being conscious of energy usage. Joining forces with a fuel supplier that provides energy pricing plans and other benefits can be advantageous for construction managers. Here are a few strategies for reducing fuel costs:
- To ensure that trucks never need to leave the job site to get fuel, use a fleet fueling service.
- Get fuel at discounted costs.
- Benefit from the seasonal changes in fuel prices.
- Use mobile fuel services when operating heavy machinery.
- Haggle over the cost.
- Select a service that provides protection against unforeseen rate increases and has a fixed price.
Contractors can also use the following advice to increase the fuel efficiency of their heavy machinery:
- Employ technology for fuel monitoring: Fuel tracking can assist the builder in identifying issues with the equipment or driver behavior. They can then determine whether the equipment needs to be repaired. The information may also be used to assess whether staff members need to receive fuel economy training.
- Employ the proper equipment: Contractors need to ensure that wheel loaders and excavators, for example, aren’t towing excessively large buckets. A bucket that is too large for the machinery will make the car drag and waste gasoline.
- Establish objectives with equipment operators: builders should ensure that operators are aware of the impact fuel efficiency has on the bottom line of the company. To save fuel, they ought to be advised against idling, harsh driving, and long trips. Together with their staff, managers can set fuel-efficiency targets and offer rewards to those who use less fuel.
Use Considerate Construction Machinery to Reduce Energy Consumption
On construction sites, heavy equipment and tools are essential, but because of their power-hungry nature, they can use excessive amounts of energy. One of the most important ways to save power when using machinery is to use it thoughtfully. Here are some pointers to lessen the amount of energy that machines use:
- Make sure that all employees are aware of how to operate the switches and controls on the equipment by clearly labeling them. They will be able to deactivate machines when necessary and operate the equipment more effectively as a result.
- Turn off conveyors, fans, and motors at the end of the workday or before you leave the site.
- Check construction equipment on a regular basis to prevent energy waste from malfunctions. One of the biggest offenders in this is air compressors; faulty compressors can waste as much as 30% of the compressor’s output and result in large electricity costs.
When Possible, Use Energy-Efficient Appliances
It might take some time to replace your old appliances with more energy-efficient models, but start small and work your way up with toasters and kettles. However, you can still modify a few simple procedures to help lower the energy consumption of your current appliances.
- When a laptop or PC is not in use, encourage your staff to turn it off. At the end of the day, make sure the switches are turned off yourself. Additionally, a power-saving mode on the majority of contemporary electronics can lower energy usage even when the device is in use.
- When the kettle is not in use, turn it off, unplug it, and think about replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. Promote “tea rounds” to cut down on the number of times the kettle is boiled and the amount of water that is boiled for no reason at all.
- Computer monitor brightness should be decreased from 100% to 70%. They can reduce their energy use by 20% as a result. This could be an easy win if you use CAD software or have an office staff to handle administrative tasks.
- Rather than cleaning utensils as soon as staff members are done with them, wait until the dishwasher is completely filled before using it.
- Purchase energy-efficient appliances, such as freezers and refrigerators, preferably A-rated (or A+++ for older models). To locate energy-efficient appliances, the Energy Saving Trust can offer helpful guidance.
Use These Heating Tips to Cut Energy Costs for Construction
Since cold weather is a given when working in the USA, heating will inevitably account for a sizable portion of your energy expenses. You can begin to lower your energy usage, though, by managing your heating and putting in place some routines. Here are seven short suggestions:
- Insulation for the winter is a great way to save on heating costs. Think about the insulation type that will work best in your building.
- Be sure to insulate the pipes and water tanks. Another useful tool for keeping heat from escaping your office is a heat reflector.
- Maintaining your heating systems on a regular basis guarantees that your boilers and heaters operate effectively.
- Keep your radiators clear of obstacles like furniture and storage boxes positioned directly in front of them to ensure optimal operation.
- Keep employees from becoming overheated or chilled by positioning desks far from air conditioners and radiators.
- Make sure that when employees leave the office, the air conditioning is turned off. Additionally, you can use smart heating controls to only heat your office when needed.
- Assign someone special to take care of the heating. By doing this, you’ll cut down on waste, stop adjusting the temperature all the time, and make sure that your office is heated properly all year round.
Immediately Change the Lighting to Assist in Reducing Consumption
Making effective use of lighting can drastically lower your energy costs. Begin with a few easy steps:
- Optimize the amount of natural light in your office or warehouse spaces by moving shelves, storage units, or equipment to clear windows.
- When not in use, turn off the lights. Unlike what many people think, turning lights on and off doesn’t use more energy than leaving them on for extended periods of time.
- Install motion sensor lighting in places like staff rooms and kitchens that are rarely used or are only used for brief periods of time.
- LED lighting that uses less energy can replace outdated bulbs. When compared to conventional incandescent bulbs, LED lighting can save up to 90% on energy, claims the Renewable Energy Hub. In addition, LEDs are environmentally friendly, have a longer lifespan, and instantly produce maximum illumination.
Teach Staff Members About Energy-Efficient Methods
Your efforts will be more effective and you will see results sooner if you teach your staff energy-saving techniques. Implementing procedures among employees can be initiated by:
- Arranging a staff meeting or sending out an email to let everyone know about possible energy-saving actions.
- Give your site managers responsibility for energy management to make sure everyone is taking the waste reduction initiative seriously.
- Talking about your energy-saving accomplishments and setbacks will inspire your group and promote an energy-conscious mindset.
- Hanging “Best Practice” posters in public spaces.
- Rewarding employees who go above and beyond to contribute to a decrease in usage.
Advanced Energy Efficiency Audits Can Help Your Construction Business Reduce Energy Consumption
For construction companies trying to cut costs and save energy, routine energy efficiency audits are crucial. Through the process of determining which areas of your company use the most energy, you can gradually increase your energy efficiency. You can begin developing energy-efficient plans to implement throughout your company by using the above advice.
Analyzing your daily energy use is one way to perform business energy efficiency audits. For instance, you might observe that employees use more energy at specific periods of the day, like when they get to work and check their emails, charge their devices, or make coffee. By recognizing these trends, you can motivate your employees to use less energy during peak hours or think of other ways to cut back on energy use.
Examining your internal operations is another method to cut down on energy use in your construction company. If your company has a warehouse or workshop, you might be consuming a lot of energy to run machinery and tools. Throughout these projects, you can reduce your energy costs by monitoring energy efficiency.
Establishing a single point of contact for your energy audits—your facilities manager or an administrative assistant, for example—will help them identify trends and gain a clear understanding of how energy is being used. Schedule a half-hour to an hour’s time each month to meet with this person and begin creating strategies to reduce energy consumption.
