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Comfort, Savings... and Energy Security
From artificial lighting to air conditioning, refrigeration to
wireless communications, a steady stream of innovations during
the 20th century greatly improved the quality of life in the U.S.
Technologies like these made our buildings progressively more hospitable
and productive and, at the same time, vastly increased our dependence
on energy.
In this century we can enjoy even greater comfort and performance
from our buildings, while controlling energy use and costs.
We can create healthier indoor and outdoor environments, while
enhancing
U.S. energy security. And, once again, innovative technologies
will make it possible.
The opportunity has never been greater.
Almost three-quarters of our nation's 81 million
buildings were built before 1979. Some were designed and constructed
for limited service, and many will eventually require either significant
retrofits
or replacement. An additional 15 million new buildings are projected
to be built by 2010. Together, aging buildings and new construction
represent a tremendous
opportunity to transform how we design, build, and operate our buildings.
Innovations in energy-efficient building envelopes, equipment, lighting, daylighting,
and windows combined with advances in passive solar, photovoltaic, fuel cells,
advanced sensors and controls, and combined heating, cooling, and power have
the potential to dramatically transform today's buildings. These technologies—coupled
with a whole building approach that optimizes the interactions among building
systems and components—will enable tomorrow's buildings to use considerably
less energy, while also helping to meet our national goals for sustainable
development, environmental protection, and energy security.
Learn more about DOE's
Building Technologies Program (PDF 1.3 MB).
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