Explore Building Sectors
Through Better Buildings, DOE works across key building sectors to advance energy efficiency and decarbonization in the built environment. Each sector page features proven solutions developed by Better Buildings, Better Plants, and Better Climate partners, as well as resources and information from the National Labs, DOE experts, Better Buildings affiliates, and more. Explore the latest information in your sector today.
Commercial Real Estate
Commercial real estate properties represent nearly 16 billion square feet of floorspace and consume more than 250 billion kWh of office building energy use.
Financial Services
Financing is one of the top challenges in the marketplace for energy retrofits and renovations. Learn how Financial Allies are helping building owners reach their goals.
Higher Education
Colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions in the U.S. spend over $6 billion on annual energy costs across 5 billion square feet of floorspace.
Industrial
The U.S. industrial sector accounts for more than 30% of the nation's energy consumption. Explore the solutions being created through the Better Plants program.
Local Government
Local government buildings consume 2 quadrillion Btus each year and have the potential to save $3.7 billion annually through a 20% improvement.
Retail, Food Service, and Grocery
Retail, restaurants, and grocery stores spend over $41 billion on energy costs per year and represent 14 billion square feet of floorspace in the U.S.
Utilities
The electricity sector is the 2nd largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Even with a shift to lower and non-emitting sources, opportunities remain for further reduction.
Data Centers
Data centers consume about 70 billion kWh of electricity per year, nearly 2% of total U.S. electricity use, and have the potential to save billions in costs and energy.
Healthcare
Healthcare facilities use nearly 10% of the energy consumed by the commercial sector despite representing less than 5% of commercial floorspace.
Hospitality
Across America’s 47,000 hotels, it is estimated that the average guest room incurs nearly $2,200 in energy costs annually.
K-12 Schools
K-12 school districts spend nearly $8 billion each year on energy costs and have the potential to save $2 billion annually through a 20% improvement.
Multifamily
Renters comprise 35% of all households. Studies estimate that energy efficiency could cut the multifamily affordable housing sector’s electricity usage by up to 26%.
State Government
State government buildings consume 1.1 quadrillion Btus each year and have the potential to save $2.1 billion annually through a 20% improvement.
