ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ

Buildings account for around 40% of total energy use in the United States, representing one of the largest opportunities for energy savings and cost reduction. Heating and cooling systems are the primary energy consumers, making building efficiency improvements particularly impactful. Better building design and technology can reduce energy bills for occupants, decrease strain on the electrical grid during peak demand periods, and improve comfort and air quality for building users.

The potential for improvement is substantial. Many existing buildings were constructed decades ago with minimal attention to energy performance, while even newer buildings often don't incorporate the latest efficiency technologies. Upgrading this building stock as well as designing more efficient new construction, offers a pathway to dramatically reduce total energy demand without requiring changes in how people live or work.

RASEI researchers are exploring multiple fronts to reduce building energy consumption, from the materials buildings are made from to how they interact with the broader energy grid.

Advanced building materials offer some of the most promising opportunities. Next-generation windows combine high insulation with dynamic tinting that responds to sunlight, reducing air conditioning loads while maintaining natural light. Transparent insulation materials can dramatically reduce heat loss without sacrificing visibility. Teams are also investigating bio-activated concrete blocks that require less energy to produce than traditional cement.

Smart building systems enable buildings to use energy more strategically. Smart thermostats and controls optimize heating and cooling based on occupancy, weather, and real-time energy prices, reducing costs while helping balance grid demand.

District-level energy sharing allows multiple buildings to share thermal energy rather than operating independently. Waste heat from commercial buildings or industrial facilities can warm nearby residential buildings, dramatically reducing total energy consumption. These systems are particularly effective in dense urban areas.

By addressing building efficiency from materials to systems to district-scale infrastructure, RASEI research aims to transform one of society's largest energy consumers into a more efficient, cost-effective, and grid-friendly sector.