Buildings consume 70% of the electricity load in the U.S. The most significant factor contributing to CO2 emissions from buildings is their use of electricity:
• Commercial and residential buildings are tremendous users of electricity, accounting for more than 70% of electricity use in the U.S. • The building sector consumed 40 quadrillion Btus of energy in 2005 at a cost of over $300 billion. Energy use in the sector is projected to increase to 50 quadrillion Btus at a cost of $430 billion by the year 2025. • The energy impact of buildings is likely to be even greater when taking into account other energy use attributable to buildings. For example, the energy embodied in a single building’s envelope equals 8-10 times the annual energy used to heat and cool the building. • Buildings have a lifespan of 50-100 years during which they continually consume energy and produce CO2 emissions. If half of new commercial buildings were built to use 50% less energy, it would save over 6 million metric tons of CO2 annually for the life of the buildings—the equivalent of taking more than 1 million cars off the road every year.
Green buildings provide abundant opportunities for saving energy and mitigating CO2 emissions Building green can reduce CO2 emissions while improving the bottom line through energy and other savings. Examples of measures that can be taken to improve building performance include:
• Incorporating the most efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, along with operations and maintenance of such systems to assure optimum performance • Using state of the art lighting and optimizing day-lighting • Using recycled content building and interior materials • Reducing potable water usage • Using renewable energy • Implementing proper construction waste management • Siting the building near public transportation • Using locally produced building materials
Tel:(909) 570-1179 Address:154-A W. Foothill BLVD., #310, Upland, CA 91786 Email:wayne.mackey@mak-tac.com Ask for:Wayne "Robert" Mackey