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In partnership with the private sector, state and local governments, national laboratories, and universities, the Building Technologies Program works to improve the efficiency of buildings and the equipment, components, and systems within them. The program supports research and development (R&D) activities and provides tools, guidelines, training, and access to technical and financial resources. The U.S. has many opportunities for energy and cost savings in its buildings. BTP is leading the way with advanced technologies and zero energy building design.

Read more about the program's vision and mission, zero energy goals and Multi-Year Program Plan for research and development of building technologies through 2012. The work of the Building Technologies Program is supported by DOE national laboratories, which have extensive R&D expertise and unique facilities and equipment.

For more information, read our program fact sheet (PDF 996 KB). Download Adobe Reader. To learn more about Building Technologies Program partnerships, visit Program Areas.

Opportunities for Energy and Cost Savings

Today's buildings consume more energy than any other sector of the U.S. economy, including transportation and industry. Of the millions of buildings in the U.S. most were built in 1979 and prior, providing us the tremendous opportunity to reduce the nation's energy consumption by increasing the efficiency of aging buildings through retrofits or replacements as needed. Additionally, to address the projected increase in new construction we are improving the techniques and strategies of how we design, build, and operate our buildings for the future.

Residential Data

According to the Building Technologies Program's 2008 Buildings Energy Data Book, in 2006:

• The U.S. had approximately 113 million residential buildings.
• Residences accounted for 21% of primary energy consumption in the U.S. and 20% of carbon dioxide emissions.
• $225.6 billion was spent on energy for residences.
• 59% of homes were built in 1979 or before.

For more information, visit the residential sector chapter of the Buildings Energy Data Book.

Commercial Buildings Data

According to the 2008 Buildings Energy Data Book:

• The U.S. had 74.8 billion square feet of commercial floor space in 2006.
• Commercial buildings represented 18% of primary energy consumption in the U.S. and used 36% of the nation's electricity in 2006.
• In 2006, $190.5 billion was spent on improvements and repairs to commercial buildings.
• As of 2003, 54% of commercial buildings were built in 1979 or before.

For more information, visit the commercial sector chapter of the Buildings Energy Data Book.

Advanced Technologies

Innovations in energy-efficient building envelopes, equipment, lighting, daylighting, and windows, in conjunction with advances in passive solar, photovoltaic, fuel cells, advanced sensors and controls and combined heating, cooling, and power, have the potential to dramatically transform today's buildings. These technologies—coupled with a whole building design approach that optimizes the interactions among building systems and components—will enable tomorrow's buildings to use considerably less energy, while also helping to meet our national goals for sustainable development, environmental protection, and energy security.

Moving Toward Zero Energy Buildings

DOE's zero energy building research initiative drives the goals of the Building Technologies Program and is bringing a new concept to builders and building owners across the United States. Zero energy buildings produce as much energy as they use over the course of a year. They are designed to be extremely energy efficient and have low energy requirements. To meet the remaining energy needs, zero energy buildings typically use renewable energy technologies such as solar water heating and solar electricity.

Learn more about the efforts DOE is making to achieve zero energy buildings. The Building America program conducts research to find energy-efficient solutions for new and existing residential housing. The Net-Zero Energy Commercial Building Initiative works to achieve zero energy commercial buildings through research in the areas of energy-efficiency and renewable energy technologies, recycled and sustainable materials, and site sensitive design.