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

Multifamily Housing | Jan 19, 2023

Editorial call for Multifamily Affordable Housing project case studies - no cost to submit!

Building Design+Construction will feature a roundup of "Multifamily Affordable Housing" projects on BDCnetwork.com. 

Green | Jan 17, 2023

Top 10 U.S. states for green building in 2022

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual ranking of U.S. states leading the way on green building, with Massachusetts topping the list. The USGBC ranking is based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year. 

Mechanical Systems | Jan 17, 2023

Why the auto industry is key to designing healthier, more comfortable buildings

Peter Alspach of NBBJ shares how workplaces can benefit from a few automotive industry techniques.

Adaptive Reuse | Jan 12, 2023

Invest in existing buildings for your university

According to Nick Sillies of GBBN, students are increasingly asking: "How sustainable is your institution?" Reusing existing buildings may help answer that.

K-12 Schools | Dec 20, 2022

Designing an inspiring, net zero early childhood learning center

LPA's design for a new learning center in San Bernardino provides a model for a facility that prepares children for learning and supports the community.

Sponsored | Resiliency | Dec 14, 2022

Flood protection: What building owners need to know to protect their properties

This course from Walter P Moore examines numerous flood protection approaches and building owner needs before delving into the flood protection process. Determining the flood resilience of a property can provide a good understanding of risk associated costs.

Green | Dec 9, 2022

Newly formed Net Zero Built Environment Council aims to decarbonize the built world

Global management consulting firm McKinsey recently launched the Net Zero Built Environment Council, a cross-sector coalition of industry stakeholders aiming to decarbonize the built world. The council’s chief goal is to collaboratively create new pathways to cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

Office Buildings | Dec 6, 2022

‘Chicago’s healthiest office tower’ achieves LEED Gold, WELL Platinum, and WiredScore Platinum

Goettsch Partners (GP) recently completed 320 South Canal, billed as “Chicago’s healthiest office tower,” according to the architecture firm. Located across the street from Chicago Union Station and close to major expressways, the 51-story tower totals 1,740,000 sf. It includes a conference center, fitness center, restaurant, to-go market, branch bank, and a cocktail lounge in an adjacent structure, as well as parking for 324 cars/electric vehicles and 114 bicycles.

Geothermal Technology | Dec 6, 2022

Google spinoff uses pay-as-you-go business model to spur growth in geothermal systems

Dandelion Energy is turning to a pay-as-you-go plan similar to rooftop solar panel leasing to help property owners afford geothermal heat pump systems.

Sustainability | Dec 5, 2022

5 ways sustainability professionals can help reduce construction's carbon footprint

Mark Chen, Sustainability Manager at Skanska, has found five specific ways to help the construction industry reduce its 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