Skip to Content
U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Take Action to Save Energy in Commercial Buildings

Commercial building owners, operators and tenants can start saving energy today and use those cost savings for other critical parts of their businesses. The Building Technologies Office offers Commercial Buildings Resource Database and opportunities to partner with peers and technical experts.

Photo of participants listening to a speaker at the Commercial Building Energy Alliances Executive Exchange with Commercial Building Stakeholders forum at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, on May 24, 2012.

Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL PIX 20913

Manage Organizational Energy Use

Managing energy by creating a culture of efficiency throughout an organization can result in significant energy and monetary savings.

 Photo of NREL's Research Support Facility under construction, with two workers straddling I-beams.

Credit: Pat Corkery, NREL PIX 16440

Design and Construct a New Building

There is a great opportunity to optimize energy efficiency at the start of the construction process, and pursuing this opportunity increases the options available that lead to an efficient building.
Photo of an equipment room in a high-rise commercial office building with red and green equipment.

Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL PIX 19294

Improve Operations and Maintenance

Effective operations and maintenance is one of the most cost-effective strategies for ensuring optimal equipment performance and the highest level of building efficiency.

 Photo of the Denver skyline with Wells Fargo Center building in the center of the image and the Rocky Mountains in the background.

Credit: Downtown Denver Partnership

Retrofit an Existing Building

Commercial buildings waste up to 30% of the energy they consume. Upgrading an existing building to reduce that waste is an opportunity to improve building performance and add value to your company.
Photo of a block in lower downtown Denver that is part of Living City Block, a DOE Commercial Building Partnerships participant.

Credit: Dennis Schroeder, NREL

Find Financing for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Multiple financing opportunities exist for energy efficiency improvements, including tax credits, grants, rebates, loans, leasing, and other approaches.