Sustainability Victoria research has identified savings of up to 29 per cent across the mid-tier office building sector through energy efficiency upgrades.
The Energy Efficient Office Buildings research program report found 80 per cent of Victoria's office buildings are in the mid-tier sector and improving the energy efficiency of Victoria’s older commercial buildings could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 540,000 tonnes a year (equivalent to taking 135,000 cars off the road).
It also reveals that driving energy efficiency change in the sector could result in 12,000 new jobs as upgrade work to buildings is carried out. It found investing in energy efficiency delivered a return for building owners after three years and reduced ongoing maintenance costs.
The three year program covered 20 buildings of various sizes in Melbourne’s CBD, suburbs, and regional Victoria that were built between 1960 and 2000. Buildings that took part in the program are now in a 12 month monitoring phase.
Building owners will provide feedback on the implemented energy efficiency initiatives in this time and undertake any necessary minor adjustments.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, said real-world examples of energy efficiency in action provide a compelling narrative for owners and tenants of older buildings and ‘must read’ material for government ministers.
“This report emphasises why a common-sense approach can help business increase profits and government meet energy productivity targets,” she said.
“The mid-tier sector accounts for around 80 per cent of all office buildings and takes up around half the nation’s floor space.
"Tackling this part of the market is challenging, as ownership structures are varied and fragmented, and decision-makers are unsure of the benefits of more efficient building space.
“However Sustainability Victoria’s report demonstrates that these benefits are compelling – and many of the actions are ‘quick wins’ that any building owner could undertake today.”
These actions include preventing air conditioning and heating systems from running simultaneously, installing inexpensive temperature sensors to better control air conditioning and turning off lights in unoccupied rooms.
Building owners and tenants participating in the program reported fewer sick days and complaints about office temperature, and increased employee satisfaction and productivity.