Over the past decade, federal standards have helped increase sustainability in the commercial sector through the implementation of energy standards for buildings. The reason is that commercial buildings can be a large source of energy waste, which contributes to resource scarcity and a negative impact on the environment.

In 2012, the U.S. Department of Energy estimated there were roughly 5.2 million commercial and industrial facilities across the nation, with total energy costs surpassing $202 billion a year. The amount of energy necessary to power these buildings makes up nearly half of all the energy used in the U.S. Despite such a large amount of resources going toward these large buildings, more than 30 percent of the energy is wasted due to inefficiencies, like poorly functioning HVAC systems.

However, the rise of smart buildings has become a global effort to reduce these inefficiencies and create a new network of highly advanced structures that are coordinated and managed to maximum efficiency. Wireless technology is used to control the settings within commercial buildings, which makes it easier and more cost-effective to regulate HVAC units and other large utility costs.

A new report from Navigant Research found that wireless control systems are expected to become a $434 million market by 2023, expanding nearly $100 million a year in the next decade. These devices are vital to the availability of energy data within the commercial sector, enabling building managers to collect and understand key components of the facilities.

As the use of wireless controls increases around the country, prices for the devices will decline, making their implementation all the more possible.

"Although wireless controls are generally more expensive than their wired counterparts, that price gap is eroding quickly," said Benjamin Freas, research analyst at Navigant Research. "Wireless controls also provide greater flexibility than wired ones, particularly the ability to install sensors and devices in buildings that cannot be easily torn apart to put in wiring, making wireless systems ideal for retrofit projects in existing buildings."

Vitality of smart buildings
Traditional methods of construction first relied solely on the need for shelter from the elements. Over time, a greater emphasis was placed on the comfortability and usability of buildings as efficient workplaces. However, newer methods of construction have created an entire new market for buildings that are integrated into a larger energy system, according to the Institute for Building Efficiency.

These smart buildings are constructed to create as small of an environmental impact as possible and work together with surrounding structures to maximize the use of power grids. In total, these buildings contain energy controls that not only reduce costs, but increase productivity levels as well.

For the purpose of HVAC units, buildings must convert massive quantities of electricity, which is then used to regulate temperature levels and air quality within a certain space. A large portion of a building's total costs comes from HVAC systems themselves, making the efficiency of these units a primary reason to update to new methods of energy controls.

While some companies may not be able to afford the upfront costs of implementing an expansive technological overhaul, other measures can be undertaken that can have an enormous impact as well. For instance, the refurbishing of HVAC coils can increase the capabilities of HVAC systems.

Rahn Industries provides coil coating services, which make existing coils better able to function properly. This makes the unit more capable of regulating airflow while also reducing the amount of electricity necessary for performance because coils will be protected against corrosion.

Rahn Industries has a full lineup of spray and immersion (dip)/ Bake protective coatings to meet your needs.