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This Fact Sheet provides an overview of the Better Buildings Workforce Guidelines project. The Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) are working with industry stakeholders to develop voluntary national guidelines that will improve the quality and consistency of commercial building workforce training and certification programs for five key energy-related jobs.

On May 7-9, 2014, the U.S. Department of Energy hosted the Better Buildings Summit in Washington D.C. Speakers and attendees from the commercial, industrial, multifamily, and public sectors discussed how to achieve energy savings across their organizations, and Partners were recognized by Secretary of Energy Ernest J. Moniz for their results and accomplishments in 2013. A description of the event can be found here: http://www4.eere.energy.gov/alliance/sites/default/files/uploaded-files/....

In case you missed the Summit this year, 180 presentations covered everything from emerging and high impact technologies, energy data management best practices, employee engagement and incentive programs, mobilizing capital and workforce training.

7x7x7: Design Energy Water is an innovative program by the Division of the State Architect that encouraged California school districts to develop long-range master plans that reduce energy and water consumption on campuses and improve the quality of educational spaces. The State Architect engages seven architectural firms to develop seven conceptual case studies that reduce school energy and water consumption and result in better learning environments on seven different types of campuses (six K-12 schools and a community college). The seven campuses are representative of typical building types from different eras constructed across California’s varied climate zones. The purpose and primary goal of this program is to enable all existing K-14 facilities to be zero energy by 2030.

The goal of the study was to determine the extent to which empirical evidence gathered via existing studies demonstrates that efficiency contributes to better financial performance.

Over 50 relevant studies from the market were reviewed and compiled into this summary.

While this review originally sought to cover all research on energy efficiency and financial performance, the final product focuses on “green labeled” buildings. The majority of research to date uses LEED or ENERGY STAR certifications as the means of distinguishing between efficient or sustainable buildings and conventional buildings. Specific energy efficiency measures, while proven to result in energy cost savings, have not yet been extensively evaluated for broader impacts.

This study does not represent new analysis conducted by DOE. It is a comprehensive survey and summary of the current body of research on the impacts of green labels on key components of commercial buildings’ operating statements. It does not exclude any studies or evaluate the quality of analysis.

New Buildings Institute’s annual zero energy status update and zero energy buildings list.