In California, Building and Appliance Energy Efficiency Standards have made homes and commercial buildings more efficient than those in other states and in many countries. But more than half of the state's estimated 13 million existing buildings were constructed before the first Energy Efficiency Standards were established in 1978. As a result, commercial buildings in particular offer a large reserve of potential energy savings.

Building regulations affect existing buildings as they are remodeled or enlarged, while more efficient appliance standards cut energy use in existing buildings as well as new ones.

Here are some of the ways to make commercial buildings more energy efficiency to cut costs, improve comfort, and provide a more sustainable future.

• Cool Roof Program

• Energy Bills & Commercial Programs

• Enhanced Automation
  California Energy Commission Website

• High Performance Buildings
  U.S. Dept of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Website

• Lighting

• Green Buildings

• Transportation Choices