Environmentally-conscious theater design and construction are growing trends in North America. Some theater owners have harnessed the energy-saving potential of solar panels, significantly lowering their monthly utility bills in the process. Theater construction, both for new theaters and restoration of existing theaters, increasingly uses recycled components and other materials with lower environmental impact.
In the U.S., buildings account for:
- 72% of electricity consumption
- 39% of energy use
- 38% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
- 40% of raw materials use
- 30% of waste output (136 million tons/year)
- 14% of potable water consumption
Source: U.S Green Building Council
Green Building
Saving Energy To limit the energy needed for heating and cooling, construct walls with extra insulation and windows with good shading characteristics, and orient your building to make the best use of solar heat gain and loss. To further improve energy efficiency, properly size your HVAC and refrigeration systems to avoid prolonged periods of operation at partial capacity. Source: Natural Resources Defense Council