How to Make a Commercial Building More Energy Efficient

According to the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, around 20% of the energy used in the U.S. powers commercial buildings. By making your building more energy-efficient, you can save energy and money. Plus, you may even get a tax deduction out of it.

But improving the energy efficiency of a building isn't as easy as just installing LED light bulbs. Here we explain different ways you can improve the energy efficiency of a commercial building, including practices you can put in place today and ones you can plan for your next remodel.

When thinking about reducing energy use in commercial buildings, your roof might be one of the last things to come to mind. Yet, a properly designed and insulated roof can go a long way toward minimizing your building's energy consumption. A reflective roof can reduce energy costs, and you can find sustainable roofing systems to go the extra mile toward eco-friendliness. 

Plus, "When it comes to pursuing a LEED certification [and being recognized as a green building], the roof can lead to a treasure trove of credits. It’s an element of a building that lends itself to a variety of LEED credit categories, including energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, and materials and resources," notes Buildings.com.

Below are some different roofing systems to consider.

Metal roofing aids in reflecting heat away from buildings. Metal roofs are considered one of the most energy-efficient roofing materials on the market. A high-quality metal roof can save building owners up to 40% in energy costs, estimates the Metal Roofing Alliance. A highly reflective and highly emissive painted metal roof is optimal for reducing energy consumption and can actually re-emit up to 90% of absorbed solar radiation.

Elevate's UltraWhite cap sheet provides light reflectivity and lower heat emissivity, reducing energy consumption and electrical demand during hot summer months. UltraWhite modified bitumen Cap Sheets are approved by UL and FM and meet requirements for California’s Title 24 regulations and can help achieve points in the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® rating system. The reflectivity of UltraWhite is also consistent with Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) programs.

TPO roofing membranes continue to be popular across the industry. If you live in a warm climate, an UltraPly™ TPO Roofing System could be the perfect roofing solution for your commercial building. This thermoplastic roofing system features a reflective surface that meets the requirements of a LEED high reflectance roof. A TPO roof may not only help with energy cost savings, but could also aid in urban heat island reduction.

PVC is one of the most popular single-ply commercial roofing membranes and a preferred option for restaurants and similar sites that need grease/chemical resistance. Not only is PVC extremely durable, but it is also well-known for its solar reflectivity. Elevate PVC Roofing Membrane is a cool roof solution, which means it's designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat. This helps regulate your building's temperature and reduce energy consumption for air conditioning during hot months.

Is your building situated in a dense urban area? Do some research on blue roofs, also known as rooftop detention. Some cities have implemented stormwater management requirements to necessitate blue roof design. Engage a design professional or a structural engineer to determine whether a blue roof is right for your building.

When your building has a blue roof, the roof provides temporary storage and slow release of stormwater runoff. Combining a blue roof with light-colored roofing materials can help moderate a building's cooling cost. Some systems can even spray water back onto the roof for continued cooling, and others can incorporate the stored water into the landscaping irrigation system for further water savings.

Polyiso is a thermoset, closed-cell foam insulation used in most low-slope roofing systems. When it comes to energy efficiency, polyiso has many benefits, including fire resistance and ease of installation. Polyiso also has a higher R-value than other insulations, meaning it's better at preventing heat loss or heat gain, depending on the season and/or climate. 

According to the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, over a typical 60-year building lifespan, the potential energy savings of polyiso insulation is up to 47 times the initial energy it takes to manufacture, transport, and install it. 

Polyiso is one of the most thermally efficient insulation options available for all climates, but Elevate’s ISOGARD™ family of products delivers the highest R-value per inch in cold temperatures: up to 40% better thermal performance in cold temperatures than the competition.* Learn more about Elevate ISOGARD insulation systems online and contact your Elevate Sales Rep for more information. 

Some of the great advantages of a reflective roofing membrane combined with Elevate’s SunWave™ and Velux Prismatic Skylights are the ability to reflect the light of the sun, gain the benefits of daylighting, and capture energy savings.  

How does daylighting work and how can it help building owners save on energy expenses?  Daylighting occurs when controlled admission of natural light, direct sunlight, or diffused skylight enters a building. In this case, daylighting would occur through Elevate SunWave Prismatic Skylights and could become the main source of illumination during the day for that building.

You can also cut down on energy use during the day by having plenty of large, well-placed wall windows and painting interior surfaces a lighter color. Building occupants will rely less on electric lighting with natural sunshine streaming in and reflecting off light-colored walls. Overhead lights can stay off or dimmed during the day, only turning on after sunset or when the sky is overcast. Less need for electric lighting translates to lower energy costs for you, the building owner. 

Additionally, Congress made the energy efficiency tax incentive programs from the Energy Performance Act (EPAct) of 2006 (section 179D) permanent in the tax code. This means businesses can achieve tax rebates from solutions that provide energy savings for roofing, HVAC, and lighting. 

Elevate SunWave Prismatic Skylights provide sustainable, energy efficiency solutions for customers. Reach out to your Elevate representative for more details.

Elevate is here to help you with tools and resources to make your job a whole lot easier, and your building more energy efficient. Check out the Building Owner's Toolbox or connect with a Elevate representative near you today.

*The thermal performance of Elevate ISOGARD polyiso insulation is up to 40% better than major competitors when tested by an independent third party in cold temperature 40°F (4°C) applications according to ASTM C1289 standards. The increased R-value per inch means better thermal performance from the same roofing systems using the same amount of insulation compared to leading competitive products on the market today.