Changes are fast approaching for the building industry. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) claims that buildings account for 39 percent of total energy use and 38 percent of total carbon dioxide emissions in America. The desire to reduce both is leading to tighter government regulations on new construction, requiring states to adopt up-to-date energy-related building codes that will improve the performance of new commercial buildings.
These mandates will change the way construction professionals think about energy-efficient construction, specifically requiring specifiers to consider strategies to minimize energy consumption.