# One Way to Save Our Economic Future: Improve Commercial Building Efficiency

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/06/one-way-to-save-our-economic-future-improve-commercial-building-efficiency/
- Published: 2020-06-21T23:26:22-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

At Penn State, President Obama announced his Better Building Initiative. This is
one which sets the goal of improving efficiency in commercial buildings 20 percent
by 2020.

Therefore, Commercial buildings represent a large [opportunity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2014/04/commercial-real-estate-going-green/)
to help [rebuild the economy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/businesses-focus-short-term-sustainability-goals-not-climate-change-resource-scarcity/)
while benefiting the environment. Commercial buildings account for 20 percent of
US energy use. All the while unemployment in the construction sector is at a staggering
20 percent. Promoting efficiency in commercial buildings will increase employment
in the construction sector. All while cutting businesses’ energy bills, allowing
them to hire more workers. [Lower energy bills](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/lowering-energy-bills-by-replacing-your-windows/)
also mean less air pollution that harms human health and the environment.

![Energy efficiency in commercial buildings](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/
wp-content/uploads/2019/03/architecture-blue-building-business-41170.jpg?resize=
300%2C200&quality=52&ssl=1 "Small green business - The Green Living Guy")

Yes, this announcement is welcome news.  Many building owners want to invest in 
improving the energy efficiency of their buildings, reducing monthly energy bills
and increasing the value of the building.  But building owners have been slow to
make these investments, held back by many market barriers and uncertainty in the
market today.  There are wide-spread benefits that result from this private investment,
and it makes a ton of sense for government to take the lead to reduce the barriers
holding back this investment.

As I’ve [written](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/lowering-energy-bills-by-replacing-your-windows/)
before:

How do windows “lose” energy? According to the [National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC)](https://www.nfrc.org/),
in winter, poor quality windows that aren’t well insulated. They create drafts in
the home. These inefficient windows create the feeling of a draft. All due to changing
air temperatures. Because warm air near a cold pane of glass will quickly cool and
then fall. Thereby creating a cycle of moving air. Moving air generally creates 
a cooling effect.

#### In summer, it can be difficult to adequately and efficiently cool a room with poor window quality.

That’s because the sun is able to directly influence and heat the temperature of
the room.

So combating the problem of energy loss is a major issue for [home and business owners](https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/04/understanding-the-source-the-fascinating-anatomy-of-a-solar-panel/).
That’s especially in areas that are subject to extreme temperature fluctuations.
That’s why a growing number of these consumers are searching. Searching for ways
to improve their energy efficiency.

Source: Courtesy Of NRDC Read more here: [http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/mwaltner/one_way_to_win_the_future_impr.html](https://web.archive.org/web/20150907183129/http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/mwaltner/one_way_to_win_the_future_impr.html)

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author,
Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The
Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides
and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant
and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green
Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For 
Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke #
Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power
System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow.

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