Energy Efficiency

Improving the energy efficiency of commercial buildings makes sense from both an economic and social perspective. Developers employ differing strategies to reduce a building’s total energy usage, depending on the local market. In contrast, arbitrary federal or local mandates imposing energy efficiency targets for commercial buildings oftentimes are based on assumptions having little to do with existing technical capabilities or economic reality.

Energy Star is a program created and administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The program has two components: the Energy Star appliance labeling system, which helps consumers identify energy efficient microwaves, televisions, and other items, and Portfolio Manager, an online tool used to track energy and water consumption in buildings.