Not all energy-efficiency measures are appropriate for all building types, but some are especially useful for particular buildings. This Design Brief reminds designers and builders of opportunities they should consider in each of their projects.

Summary:

When focus is placed on the largest energy uses in a particular type of building, incorporating pertinent enhancements in a standard design can readily improve energy efficiency.

This Design Brief summarizes the energy-efficiency design strategies that offer the greatest potential benefit in 11 building types. Although some of the measures discussed in this brief are frequently employed, others are seldom considered during the design process. This quick overview of energy-efficiency strategies appropriate to different types of buildings will allow designers to place a range of potentially useful options on the table early in the decision-making process.

Energy intensity is presented as an indicator of the potential for cost-effective, energy-efficient design strategies in a particular building type.