There are many traits that separate strong commercial architecture firms from weak ones. Key among these is the ability to draft a building design geared towards energy efficiency. Working with architects who prioritize this issue will help you keep costs low over the years. To save as much money as possible in the long run, it’s also a good idea to perform an energy analysis of any building design. To ensure your analysis is accurate, keep the following tips in mind.

When analyzing the energy efficiency of a proposed building, you’ll have to estimate how frequently certain appliances and systems will be put to use. It’s best to be completely honest with yourself during the process to realistically evaluate your expected energy usage.

A thorough analysis will account for annual energy use from all fuel sources, the size and location of the building, the number of occupants, the HVAC system and hours of operation, the lighting system, and more. The more data you can provide about these variables, the more accurate the analysis will be. That’s why it’s important to thoroughly investigate each major appliance you expect to be using in the building. When you know how energy efficient your equipment is supposed to be, it’s much easier to perform an analysis.

That said, some of the data required for an energy analysis is subjective. You need to work with experienced designers and architects who can supply you with a reasonably accurate estimate. No matter what kind of building you plan on constructing, it’s important to work with a commercial architecture firm that will strive to make your building as energy efficient as possible. Doing so will save you a lot of money over time.