With the current focus on sustainability, it's no surprise that energy consumption is a hot topic - especially when it comes to buildings. Commercial and residential buildings account for almost 40% of the world's total annual energy consumption, making them a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. So, just how much energy do buildings really consume? Let's take a look.
How Much Energy Does a Building Use?
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the size of the building, the climate it's located in, the number of occupants, and the types of activities that take place inside. That said, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average commercial building consumes about 11,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per year. The average residential building consumes about 5,000 kWh per year.
What Uses the Most Energy in a Building?
The answer to this question also varies depending on the type of building. However, generally speaking, heating and cooling systems are typically the biggest consumers of energy in both commercial and residential buildings. In fact, according to the Department of Energy, space heating and cooling alone accounts for about 30% of all energy used in commercial buildings and 50% of all energy used in residential buildings.
Other major contributors to a building's energy consumption include lighting (19% for commercial buildings and 12% for residential), water heating (14% for commercial buildings and 18% for residential), and refrigeration (5% for commercial buildings and 4% for residential).
It's no secret that buildings consume a significant amount of energy every year. However, there are ways to reduce your energy consumption and help make a difference for the environment. These include investing in energy-efficient equipment, energy efficiency monitoring technologies, and more.
What steps will you take to reduce your building's energy consumption?
Discover Maxen products that can help you increase your energy efficiency.