Commercial buildings in real estate markets across the U.S. are an important puzzle piece in establishing high-performance building stock. Below is a collection of IMT resources that highlight energy efficiency opportunities in commercial buildings.

The Latest

2009 International Energy Conservation Code for Simple Commercial Buildings

Small commercial buildings (less than 50,000 square feet) make up more than 90 percent of the U.S. commercial building stock. Of those small buildings, most are considered “simple commercial buildings.” Many of the complex requirements in the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) do not apply to simple commercial buildings, so this compliance guide was created … Continued

Local Governments’ Role in Energy Project Financing

Driven by a need to foster economic development, create jobs, and address environmental concerns, cities are increasingly recognizing the need to encourage investment in building performance with creative financing mechanisms. Making the largest impact possible with limited funds can be challenging. However, cities now have an abundance of governmental and private sector tools available to … Continued

Green Building and Property Value

So, you are thinking about retrofitting an existing building or building a new one with green, high performance, and energy-efficient features. What is the best way for you to position your building from a valuation standpoint? Because these buildings are different, owners have had to change not only how they design, build, and market, but also how they approach financing and … Continued

Standard Bearers: The Excellence in Energy Code Compliance Award

The Standard Bearers Award distinguishes jurisdictions that are using cost-effective code compliance strategies that have achieved energy code compliance and energy reduction. IMT and GBPN congratulate the winners of the 2013 Awards. Read about them in the PDF and be sure to sign up for the IMT newsletter to stay informed on applications for the 2014 Award and more!

Benchmarking Case Study: One Franklin Square

This case study looks at the energy savings of One Franklin Square, a building in downtown Washington, DC, that resulted from energy benchmarking. The property management company, Hines, has made improvements since they started benchmarking, reducing utility consumption by 6 million kilowatt-hours per year. And those savings continue to grow. Over the last 18 years … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: Demonet Building

When Transwestern took over management of the Demonet Building in 2009, one of the first things they did was benchmark, or measure and rate, the building’s energy performance. Robert Sloan, the building’s Chief Engineer, said benchmarking helped them see just how much energy the building was consuming. In just three years, with low-cost changes, they … Continued

Benchmarking Case Study: 4600 Connecticut Avenue

Finding energy savings in a condominium building poses a challenge. How does a Board of Directors persuade hundreds of individual owners to practice energy efficiency? When Harry Richter, a consultant with High Rise Consulting, began working with the board of the 4600 Connecticut building, he knew there were ways they could save on energy costs … Continued

Achieving Scale With Energy Efficiency

If interest is high in building energy efficiency in the United States, why aren’t investments in efficiency growing? Experts from local and federal governments, the private sector, and non-government organizations explored that question at a June 2013 Roundtable Dialogue in Washington, D.C., convened by the Johnson Controls Institute for Building Efficiency (IBE) and the Institute … Continued

How Energy Codes Make Commercial Buildings More Efficient

How would a (hypothetical) four-story, 50,000-square-foot office building built to meet the 2001 energy code differ from an identical building that meets the 2010 code? It would be 41 percent more energy-efficient, for one thing. Find out more by downloading our new infographic, produced in collaboration with the Energy Efficient Buildings Hub (EEB Hub).