Energy Efficiency and Building Electrification in the Western United States

Energy efficiency is crucial to reducing your carbon footprint. In this blog, we will discuss how building electrification can help us become more energy efficient in our day-to-day activities and bring down our carbon footprint.

What Is Building Electrification?

Building electrification is the process of shifting from non-renewable power sources to cleaner sources of electricity to power buildings. This can be done by installing solar panels, wind turbines, or other forms of renewable energy or by connecting the building to the grid. Building electrification can also refer to retrofitting an existing building with electrical wiring and fixtures.

Advantages of Building Electrification

Electricity is one of the most important modern conveniences, and it plays an important role in almost every aspect of our lives. It acts as a power source for lights, appliances, and heating and cooling systems, and it also has a variety of industrial applications. This is why it is important to create comprehensive plans for building electrification and raise awareness about the benefits of installing these technologies in buildings.

Cost-Efficiency

One of the primary advantages of electric power is that it is relatively inexpensive to generate. In most cases, it is cheaper to produce electricity than it is to purchase it from a utility company. Additionally, electric power is more efficient than other forms of energy, such as gasoline or coal.

Decreased Maintenance Costs

The advantage of building electrification is that it can significantly decrease maintenance costs. For example, an electrified building will not require as much regular maintenance as a non-electrified building since there will be no need to regularly check and replace batteries or power cells. In addition, electrification can also help reduce the wear and tear on building materials, as well as improve the overall efficiency of the building.

Clean and Safe

Another advantage is that it is clean and safe. Unlike fossil fuels, electric power does not produce harmful emissions. Additionally, electric power is not flammable, so it is less likely to cause fires.

Ability to Control Temperature

Building electrification is especially beneficial in areas where the climate is extreme, as it can help maintain the inside of a building at a comfortable temperature. This can be done through the use of air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems, all of which can be controlled via electrical means. Additionally, electrification can help improve indoor air quality by reducing the level of pollutants and providing a cleaner, more healthy environment.

Elevated Operational Precision

Building electrification can provide many advantages in terms of operational precision. For example, electrically-powered equipment can be more precisely controlled than equipment that uses other power sources. This can be beneficial in terms of overall efficiency and productivity. Additionally, electrically-powered equipment is often less likely to experience unexpected downtime or malfunction. This can help further improve operational precision and reduce the potential for disruptions.

 

The Western U.S. is undergoing a significant shift in its energy landscape. With various renewable energy resources and new market structures in place, the region is well-prepared for the adoption of efficient, low-cost electrification technologies and services.

To accelerate the spread of electrification across the region, Skyline Engineering is working with commercial and public entities to increase the efficiency of new and existing buildings and reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Contact us for more information.