Top trends in commercial building

This is according to Lux Research, an independent research firm specializing in emerging technology. It reports that the green building sector is expected to grow by $280 billion globally by 2020. The new LEEDv4 standards are set to take effect later this year, which will enable customers make their buildings more sustainable.

Here’s a look at what’s in store, according to Lennox Commercial:

Increased visibility  The recent release of publicly disclosed building use in New York City is likely to set up a trend for other U.S. cities, making businesses more accountable for their utility use. Building product manufacturers are beginning to offer increased transparency with environmental product declarations.

Net zero  While a net-zero building status once seemed impossible to obtain, it’s now becoming more common as the industry moves past LEED and ENERGY STAR certifications that no longer offer a competitive advantage for businesses. Now, commercial building developers and architects are starting to showcase Zero Net Energy designs as a means of differentiation from competitors.

Alternative energy sources  More businesses are turning to alternative energy sources in efforts to lower utility costs, meet green building standards and generate their own electricity. One increasingly popular choice is solar power, which allows them to harvest the sun’s free, clean energy to power their building’s HVAC, lighting and more—all while substantially lowering electric costs and impact to the environment.

Daylighting  An increasing number of new building designs and retrofits rely on daylighting to reduce energy costs by up to one-third, positioning windows, skylights or other openings and reflective surfaces to take advantage of the sun’s natural light. This method also relies on a daylight-responsive lighting control system that automatically adjusts brightness when daylighting is inadequate, helping to keep energy use and costs in control.

High-efficiency HVAC  HVAC can account for 40–60% of a building’s energy use, making it an clear first item to tackle in greening efforts. High-efficiency HVAC units are not only equipped to meet current building efficiency standards, but also are built with features like MSAV (multi-stage air volume) supply fan technology that can boost overall comfort while dramatically reducing electricity costs.

Local sourcing of raw materials  Many companies are opting to purchase materials locally in efforts to support green commercial building trends while reducing impact to the environment. Local material sourcing reduces the amount of energy involved in transportation to the building site, resulting in lower carbon emissions.