5 Ways To Lower Energy Bills In Metal Buildings

Metal buildings are becoming increasingly popular.

In fact, steel buildings account for 65% of all commercial construction in the United States.

There are many advantages that steel buildings can offer that make them popular choices in the construction industry.

These include cost-efficiency, strength, and durability, just to name a few.

Steel buildings can also be used for residential structures as well as commercial construction.

It's very common now to see garages made from steel materials.

It is also common for homeowners to choose steel buildings for things like storage and garden sheds.

Gymnasiums, churches, schools, sports arenas, warehouses, airplane hangars, and retail infrastructures are all constructed using steel building materials.

For a full scope of industries that use metal buildings, check out this link.

Since steel buildings have seen a rise in popularity, there's also a new interest in finding ways to decrease energy usage in metal buildings.

This benefits the planet as well as your bottom line.

There are several ways you can reduce the amount of energy you consume in your steel building.

Below we will talk about five things that will have the greatest impact on preventing energy losses.

These tips will apply to new construction, as well as existing structures through retrofitting.

Let's get started.

Minimize Your Energy Costs

If you're not careful, energy can literally fly out the window, and between cracks, under doors and through the roof.

Aging wood buildings are particularly vulnerable to leaks because the lumber will settle, twist, and creep.

If you add insulation to your current structure that will often be enough to cut your energy loss.

Replacing old windows and doors with new insulated doors and windows will help as well.

Just sealing around your doors and windows will likely increase your energy efficiency.

Commercial-grade steel building systems create deep exterior walls, leaving room for thicker and more robust installation.

Opt for a top of the line insulation system with thermal breaks.

Your future self will thank you for it.

To read more about insulating your metal building check out our article What Are The Best Options For Insulating A Metal Building?

Use Reflective Roofing

Those darker roofs might look good, but they will wreak havoc on your utility bill.

Especially if you live in a warm climate, you should avoid a dark roof.

In general, the lighter the roof, the cooler the building.

Using new reflective paint technologies will bounce heat and UV rays away from your structure.

These painted roofs cut summer cooling costs by an average of 7% to 15%.

When you purchase your new steel building, ask them about the availability of cool coated steel panels.

However, in certain situations, you might need to avoid reflective paint.

If you live in a cold climate with mild summers, a dark, non-reflective roof might be best for you.

Energy-Efficient Bulbs

If you haven't already done so, replacing all your bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs will save more energy and money than you probably realize.

The bulbs use less electricity, to begin with, and they last about ten times longer.

Installing dimmer switches inside and motion detectors outside reduce energy use as well.

When designing your new steel building, consider using skylights to reduce your dependency on interior lighting during the day.

Natural lighting not only saves on energy costs but it is often preferred over interior lights.

Manage Energy Use

The EPA has a saying "you can't manage what you don't measure."

Based on that principle, they developed an energy-auditing tool called Portfolio Manager.

The software tracks your energy usage through an online tool.

Once you input last year's utility bills, you get a usually startling look at your actual energy spending, providing a benchmark for future usage.

Whenever possible, buy energy-saving electronics, office equipment, and appliances to reduce energy loss.

Turn Off What You're Not Using

I know I sound like your Dad with this one, but it's still worth saying.

Flipping the switch when you're finished using something is becoming a lost art.

Make sure your employees (and yourself) turn off all the lights when they leave the room. Unplug or at least turn off things that are seldom used.

Connect computers, peripherals, and other office equipment to power strips so they can all be turned off when not in use.

The majority of electrical products use small amounts of energy even when they are turned off.

Avoid "electrical leakage" by unplugging all electronics and office equipment when not in use.

Save The Environment And Your Wallet

Choosing a steel building for your next structure is already a step in the right direction.

Your steel building won't go through the things a traditional building does when it settles and starts leaking energy.

Couple that with the ideas above, and who knows how much extra money you will have in your pocket.

If you're interested in a steel building, and you want to talk to a team of experts, click the button below.

The team at CDMG can't wait to talk to you.

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