The most promising renewable energy sources are not actually energy sources. Instead, I believe ‘negawatts’ or opportunities to save energy by making our buildings, factories, and homes more efficient are the best path toward reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. While attractive energy efficiency opportunities are plentiful, I’m most inspired by the ways we can make ‘dumb buildings’ smarter and more efficient.

Buildings in the US represent 40 percent of energy consumption and 70 percent of electricity use. Unfortunately, most of these buildings are not optimized for efficiency. Opportunities to improve their energy consumption are abundant and well-understood. Implementing proven ‘no brainer’ efficiency technologies across all five million US commercial buildings would cut energy consumption by 30 to 50 percent, resulting in $30 to $50 billion in annual savings. Admittedly, the task of effectively promoting and accelerating adoption of such technologies is not easy.

Fortunately, a plethora of innovative companies recognize the magnitude of this opportunity, and are seizing it. For example, a number of startups (e.g., Adura, Encilium) are developing intelligent lighting control systems that ensure lights are only in use when needed. In the heating market, companies (e.g., Scientific Conservation, Building IQ) are competing to create smarter systems that enable more efficient heating and cooling.

So, where does the problem lie? These new digital efficiency technologies only work in new buildings or buildings that have been retrofitted with digital thermometers and other gadgets that enable two-way communications. Unable to meet these requirements, approximately 70 percent of the US commercial building stock is ‘dumb’. These so-called ‘dumb buildings’ have pneumatic thermostats that cannot be monitored or controlled remotely, thus eliminating the opportunity to implement new energy efficient technology and optimization systems.

Why not just convert these ‘dumb buildings’ to the digital age by adding digital thermostats and retrofitting them as needed? Such additions and modifications are expensive, invasive, and disruptive to tenants. The installation of digital thermostats and new lighting systems often requires contractors to open up walls, ceilings and/or floors. To add to the complexity, older buildings often contain asbestos, which can dramatically and negatively impact the project schedule and associated costs—not to mention that financing for such retrofits remains a challenge.

Don’t despair—there is a silver lining: There is a class of new “bridge technologies” and business models that will allow us to make ‘dumb buildings’ smart. Product examples include adapters that enable pneumatic thermostats to communicate wirelessly with building management systems, wireless gauge readers, and lighting control systems. These technologies can be implemented in existing structures without causing major disruptions. The key to accelerating the adoption of such technologies is to shift the focus from designing a fancy new dashboard and instead developing cost-effective, easy-to-install solutions. Two remarkable companies that embody this philosophy are Cypress Envirosystems in heating and cooling and Enlighted in lighting.

So, where do you stand? Do you agree with my analysis? If so, let’s make this happen!