In order to reduce energy consumption from heating, cooling and ventilation, there are some simple steps that can be taken to improve the thermal performance of a building. First, the building should be well insulated to reduce the flow of heat to and from the outside. Secondly, the building should be as airtight as possible, since losing heated air on a cold day, or cooled air on a hot day, both result in big energy penalties.
Once unintended air ‘leakage’ from the building has been minimised, a ventilation strategy should be devised that minimises energy use and ensures comfortable conditions in the building. In some cases it is possible to recover heat from warm air flowing out of a building and use it to heat the building.
A straightforward way to save energy is to ensure that individual items of equipment, such as boilers, lights and ventilation fans are as efficient as possible. Energy consumption can be optimised via control systems that ensure equipment only runs for when its needed. It is also important to remember that decisions made about one aspect of the building design, for instance lighting, will influence other energy uses such as the heating and cooling needs of the whole building.
In new building construction there is an opportunity to use passive design strategies. These ensure the building uses as little energy as possible by harnessing daylight, shading and natural ventilation. Existing building standards mean high levels of air tightness and insulation are already required for new buildings and major refurbishments in the UK.
Refurbishment of existing buildings is extremely important as around 60% of the buildings that will be standing in 2050 have already been built. This means that it is vital to maximise the carbon saving opportunities of retrofits and refurbishments, whether it is to update existing homes, offices or industrial sites.
Once the building has been constructed the level of energy consumption depends on how it is used. Building management systems (BMS) offer the potential for increased energy savings. Energy is frequently wasted because buildings are not commissioned or operated as intended. Significant savings can be made by ensuring equipment is running efficiently and making sure the building control system is easy to operate and that the occupants understand how the building works.
Once all opportunities to reduce energy use in buildings have been exploited, further carbon reduction can often be achieved by adopting renewable energy technologies such as biomass, solar or wind. For more information see the relevant sections of the Technology Directory.
For more information about reducing the energy consumption of industrial processes in buildings, see the section on Industry. For specific information on energy efficient lighting, refer to the Lighting section.
We’re exploring the use of innovative technologies in low-carbon buildings in our low carbon buildings accelerators.
See also the overview of buildings policy in the UK.