flexiblefullpage -
billboard - default
interstitial1 - interstitial
catfish1 - bottom
Currently Reading

Commercial energy-efficiency retrofits will represent nearly $960 billion investment in next decade

Commercial energy-efficiency retrofits will represent nearly $960 billion investment in next decade

Payback periods remain a critical factor for decisionmakers on retrofit projects, report finds.


By Navigant Research | July 28, 2014
Energy-efficiency retrofits are on pace to grow more than 7% a year through 2023
Energy-efficiency retrofits are on pace to grow more than 7% a year through 2023, according to Navigant Research. Photo: Wikimed

Boulder, CO –Because the existing building stock dwarfs the amount of building space that is added on an annual basis, retrofits are a critical pathway to greening the world’s commercial buildings.  Regulations and policy measures, technological advances, and cost reductions are all driving increased investment in energy efficiency retrofits. According to a recent report from Navigant Research, cumulative investment in commercial building energy efficiency retrofits will total $959 billion from 2014 through 2023. 

“Led by the Asia Pacific region, the global market for energy efficiency commercial building retrofits is expected to grow at more than 7 percent a year through 2023,” says Eric Bloom, principal research analyst with Navigant Research.  “While government mandates play an important part in driving this growth, many retrofit projects are being undertaken on a voluntary basis, as corporate sustainability initiatives spread.”

The payback periods for energy efficiency retrofit projects are slowly decreasing, according to the report, but they remain a critical factor for most building owners and managers.  Tolerance for longer payback periods varies both by region and by building owner category.  Only 15 percent of all energy efficiency retrofits are initiated with increased energy efficiency as the primary motivator, the report concludes.

The report, “Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Commercial and Public Buildings”, examines the global market opportunity for energy efficiency retrofits in eight different commercial and public building types.  It analyzes the key market and technology issues related to energy efficiency retrofits, with a focus on the following product and service types: HVAC, lighting, controls, water efficiency, water heating, building envelope, power generation, commissioning, installation, and energy service companies (ESCOs).  Global market forecasts for revenue, segmented by region, product and service type, and building type, extend through 2023.  The report also assesses the demand drivers, business models, and standardization and regulatory factors related to energy efficiency commercial and public building retrofits and profiles the key industry players in this market. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the Navigant Research website.

About Navigant Research

Navigant Research, the dedicated research arm of Navigant, provides market research and benchmarking services for rapidly changing and often highly regulated industries.  In the energy sector, Navigant Research focuses on in-depth analysis and reporting about global clean technology markets.  The team’s research methodology combines supply-side industry analysis, end-user primary research and demand assessment, and deep examination of technology trends to provide a comprehensive view of the Smart Energy, Smart Utilities, Smart Transportation, and Smart Buildings sectors.  Additional information about Navigant Research can be found at www.navigantresearch.com.

About Navigant

Navigant is a specialized, global expert services firm dedicated to assisting clients in creating and protecting value in the face of critical business risks and opportunities. Through senior level engagement with clients, Navigant professionals combine technical expertise in Disputes and Investigations, Economics, Financial Advisory and Management Consulting, with business pragmatism in the highly regulated Construction, Energy, Financial Services and Healthcare industries to support clients in addressing their most critical business needs. More information about Navigant can be found at www.navigant.com.

* The information contained in this press release concerning the report, “Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Commercial and Public Buildings,”is a summary and reflects Navigant Research’s current expectations based on market data and trend analysis. Market predictions and expectations are inherently uncertain and actual results may differ materially from those contained in this press release or the report. Please refer to the full report for a complete understanding of the assumptions underlying the report’s conclusions and the methodologies used to create the report. Neither Navigant Research nor Navigant undertakes any obligation to update any of the information contained in this press release or the report.

Related Stories

Resiliency | Jun 14, 2023

HUD offers $4.8 billion in funding for green and resilient building retrofit projects

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently released guidelines for its Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP) that has $4.8 billion for funding green projects.

Mass Timber | Jun 13, 2023

Mass timber construction featured in two-story mixed-use art gallery and wine bar in Silicon Valley

The Edes Building, a two-story art gallery and wine bar in the Silicon Valley community of Morgan Hill, will prominently feature mass timber. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam posts and beams were specified for aesthetics, biophilic properties, and a reduced carbon footprint compared to concrete and steel alternatives.

Energy-Efficient Design | Jun 5, 2023

Implementing an ‘asset drawdown strategy’ for site decarbonization

Solidifying a decarbonization plan via an “asset drawdown strategy” that carefully considers both capital and operating costs represents a game-changing opportunity for existing properties to compete with new projects.

Urban Planning | May 25, 2023

4 considerations for increasing biodiversity in construction projects

As climate change is linked with biodiversity depletion, fostering biodiverse landscapes during construction can create benefits beyond the immediate surroundings of the project.

Mass Timber | May 23, 2023

Luxury farm resort uses CLT framing and geothermal system to boost sustainability

Construction was recently completed on a 325-acre luxury farm resort in Franklin, Tenn., that is dedicated to agricultural innovation and sustainable, productive land use. With sustainability a key goal, The Inn and Spa at Southall was built with cross-laminated and heavy timber, and a geothermal variant refrigerant flow (VRF) heating and cooling system.

Sustainable Design and Construction | May 23, 2023

Hord Coplan Macht names Ilijana Soldan as Sustainability Manager

Hord Coplan Macht, Baltimore, MD., has promoted Ilijana Soldan, AIA, LEED AP, EcoDistricts, NCARB, to Sustainability Manager.

Office Buildings | May 15, 2023

Sixteen-story office tower will use 40% less energy than an average NYC office building

This month marks the completion of a new 16-story office tower that is being promoted as New York City’s most sustainable office structure. That boast is backed by an innovative HVAC system that features geothermal wells, dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) units, radiant heating and cooling, and a sophisticated control system to ensure that the elements work optimally together.

Sustainability | May 11, 2023

Let's build toward a circular economy

Eric Corey Freed, Director of Sustainability, CannonDesign, discusses the values of well-designed, regenerative buildings.

Headquarters | May 9, 2023

New Wells Fargo development in Texas will be bank’s first net-positive campus

A new Wells Fargo development in the Dallas metroplex will be the national bank’s first net-positive campus, expected to generate more energy than it uses. The 850,000-sf project on 22 acres will generate power from solar panels and provide electric vehicle charging stations.

Senior Living Design | May 8, 2023

Seattle senior living community aims to be world’s first to achieve Living Building Challenge designation

Aegis Living Lake Union in Seattle is the world’s first assisted living community designed to meet the rigorous Living Building Challenge certification. Completed in 2022, the Ankrom Moisan-designed, 70,000 sf-building is fully electrified. All commercial dryers, domestic hot water, and kitchen equipment are powered by electricity in lieu of gas, which reduces the facility’s carbon footprint.

boombox1 - default
boombox2 -
native1 -

More In Category




Mass Timber

Bjarke Ingels Group designs a mass timber cube structure for the University of Kansas

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and executive architect BNIM have unveiled their design for a new mass timber cube structure called the Makers’ KUbe for the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. A six-story, 50,000-sf building for learning and collaboration, the light-filled KUbe will house studio and teaching space, 3D-printing and robotic labs, and a ground-level cafe, all organized around a central core.

halfpage1 -

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021