Building Controls

The Building Technologies Office (BTO) is supporting research, development, and demonstrations that accelerate the adoption of high-performance interoperable controls solutions that are responsive to occupant and grid needs. Successful implementation of high-performance control has been shown to reduce HVAC energy use in commercial buildings by 30%. Nationwide deployment would correspond to an absolute reduction of >3% of total U.S. energy consumption. That is roughly equivalent to the energy produced by all U.S. solar and hydro power combined in 2021. 

The building controls portfolio focuses on three strategic areas of integration to maximize the impact of energy management control systems: 

1. Small and medium buildings
2. Large buildings
3. Grid-edge R&D

BTO is working with researchers, commercial partners, and industry standards setting organizations to drive advances in these areas through demonstrations as well as development of interoperability standards, open-source execution platforms, performance evaluation tools, control and monitoring strategies and methods, benchmarks, and public information and guidance that supports advanced controls integration.

• Learn more about the basics of building controls.
• Learn about programmatic elements including control platforms, tools, applications, and standards development.
• Find out how advanced building controls support DOE’s vision for grid-edge R&D for buildings.
• See how Connected Communities demonstrations highlight best practices and lessons learned.