Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable EERE Home
Building Technologies Program
 
About the ProgramProgram AreasInformation ResourcesFinancial OpportunitiesTechnologiesDeploymentHome
Program Areas: Photo of the outside of an office building. Program Areas
Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards
Building America
Building Energy Codes
Commercial Building Energy Alliances
ENERGY STAR®
High Performance Commercial Buildings

The Building Technologies Program is specifically designed and structured to conduct the key activities required to meet its vision, mission, and zero energy goals, which have been developed in an open and consultative process and are linked to the strategic objectives of EERE. On this page you'll find information about the Building Technologies Program's key program areas.

To achieve the goal of net-zero energy buildings, the Building Technologies Program supports research and development of innovative new technologies and better building practices. The program is divided into three interrelated strategic areas designed to overcome technical and market barriers: Research and Development, Equipment Standards and Analysis, and Technology Validation and Market Introduction. The diagram below shows how the three areas work together toward the goal of Zero-Energy Buildings.

Diagram showing two large arrows pointing to the right labeled "Research & Development" and "Technology Validation & Market Introduction". There is a smaller arrow underneath the two large arrows that connects them to a graphic labeled "Equipment Standards & Analysis." Another smaller arrow at the top labeled "Feedback" also connects the two large arrows, which are pointing to a graphic that reads: "GOAL: Zero-Energy Buildings." This graphic shows that Research and Development contributes to Technology Validation and Market Introduction, and both contribute to Equipment Standards and Analysis. Technology Validation and Market Introduction provides feedback to Research and Development. All contribute to the goal of Zero-Energy Buildings.

Key Program Areas

The Building Technologies Program's funding is organized in five key program areas. Each of these areas contain projects and programs addressing one or more of the strategic elements shown above, and they all work together to improve the efficiency of buildings and the equipment, components, and systems within them. While the three-strategy approach cuts across all of the programmatic elements, each program area has its own unique focus, which is summarized below:

  • Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards

    Working with product manufacturers, designers, utilities, consumers, and other government agencies, this program area develops test procedures and sets minimum efficiency standards for residential appliances and commercial equipment.

  • Building America

    This program conducts and supports research, development, and demonstration activities that will produce cost-effective homes that use up to 70% less energy. It partners with more than 270 companies comprised of architects, engineers, builders, equipment manufacturers, material suppliers, community planners, mortgage lenders, and contractor trades.

  • Building Energy Codes

    This program supports development of more stringent and easier-to-understand building energy codes; develops downloadable compliance tools and materials; and provides technical and financial assistance to help states adopt, implement, and enforce building energy codes.

  • Commercial Building Energy Alliances

    The goal of this program is to minimize the energy use and environmental impact of commercial buildings. The Commercial Building Energy Alliances bring together representatives from a variety of business sectors to work toward this goal. The program currently focuses on retail, commercial real estate, and institutional buildings.

  • ENERGY STAR®

    This is a voluntary labeling program sponsored by DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which helps businesses and consumers easily identify highly efficient products, homes, and buildings that save energy and money, while protecting the environment.

  • High Performance Commercial Buildings

    A program working with architects, engineers, builders, contractors, owners, and occupants to optimize building performance, comfort, and savings through a whole-building approach to design and construction.