How revolutionary technology is tackling the $200B problem of wasted energy in buildings [View all]

[think]

Very interesting article. Much more information at the link:

How revolutionary technology is tackling the $200B problem of wasted energy in buildings

By LAUREN BROWNING & SKYE GOULD - May 28th 2015

At its best, technology is able to tackle huge problems with remarkable ease.

The General Services Administration, for example, has found a way to save $13 million a year in energy costs across 180 buildings — all thanks to a proprietary algorithm developed and monitored from many states away, in Massachusetts. Among the problems discovered: malfunctioning exhaust fans.

And Kohl’s department store has installed energy-efficiency software in 1200 stores nationwide. “We look at the energy meter and know exactly how much the store is consuming at any point in time,” says Paul Oswald, Managing Director at Environmental Systems Inc., which provides the service along with SkyFoundry. According to ESI, its automation system saves its clients an average of 8%-18% in energy costs every year.

These efforts are a top priority of both businesses and government.

That’s because buildings (both commercial and residential) are the largest single consumer of energy in the US, and up to 50% of that is pure waste, according to an industry expert. That means $200 billion a year is evaporating into thin air — along with significant toxins. Commercial and residential buildings account for about 34% of greenhouse gas emissions. However, in New York City, upwards of 75% of the city’s carbon footprint comes from buildings’ emissions.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/big-data-tackles-energy-waste-from-big-buildings-2015-5#ixzz3bRm0fAv9