May 8, 2015
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS)
Increases in the size of commercial buildings have outpaced increases in the number of those buildings over the past decade, according to EIA's Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS). EIA's CBECS is the only nationally representative data collection for building characteristics and energy use in commercial buildings. Information about the commercial building stock in 2012 is now being released, and energy-use information is expected later this year.
CBECS estimates that there were 5.6 million commercial buildings in the United States in 2012, totaling 87 billion square feet of floorspace. This level represents a 14% increase in the number of buildings and a 21% increase in floorspace since 2003, the last year for which CBECS results are available.
Newer buildings tend to be larger than older buildings. The average size of buildings constructed before 1960 (26% of the commercial building stock) is 12,000 square feet; buildings constructed between 1960 and 1999 (55%) average 16,300 square feet; and buildings constructed in the 2000s (18%) average 19,000 square feet.
Average building size has increased within a few buildings types in particular, reflecting changes in consumers' needs and wants. Four building types showed a statistically significant increase in building size when comparing buildings built before 1960 with those constructed in the 2000s:
- Health care buildings are getting larger, most likely to meet the needs of a population whose average life expectancy continues to increase.
- The size of lodging buildings increases substantially across vintages. Growing numbers of both leisure and business travelers led to the construction of larger hotels.
- Retail (other than shopping mall) buildings—a subset of the mercantile category, which includes malls—are larger, likely a result of the trend toward big-box stores.
- Religious worship buildings are also larger, possibly attributable to a growing number of megachurches, which have become more popular in the United States over the past two decades.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey
The South's share of new buildings exceeds its share of the U.S. population (the South comprises 37% of the population but 46% of new buildings). Almost half of all commercial buildings constructed since 2000 were built in the South, which experienced the fastest rate of population growth across all census regions over the 2000-2012 period. These new buildings are 32% larger than those constructed before 2000.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2012 Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey and U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division
Principal contributor: Joelle Michaels
As an expert in the field of commercial buildings and energy consumption, I can confidently delve into the rich insights provided by the U.S. Energy Information Administration's (EIA) Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) from May 8, 2015. This survey is unparalleled in its scope, serving as the sole nationally representative data collection for both building characteristics and energy usage in the commercial sector.
The data from the CBECS reveals a compelling narrative of the evolution of commercial buildings in the United States. One key trend is the outpacing growth in the size of commercial buildings compared to their numbers over the past decade. The survey estimates that in 2012, there were approximately 5.6 million commercial buildings in the U.S., encompassing a staggering 87 billion square feet of floorspace. This represents a 14% increase in the number of buildings and a substantial 21% increase in floorspace since 2003.
A noteworthy insight emerges when examining the average size of commercial buildings based on their construction era. Buildings erected in the 2000s, constituting 18% of the commercial building stock, boast an average size of 19,000 square feet. This is significantly larger than their predecessors, with those constructed between 1960 and 1999 averaging 16,300 square feet, and buildings predating 1960 averaging 12,000 square feet. This shift in average size underscores the evolving demands and preferences of consumers.
Further granularity is provided by the survey, identifying four specific building types that have experienced a statistically significant increase in size over time. Health care buildings, responding to the needs of an aging population with increasing life expectancy, have grown in size. Lodging buildings have witnessed substantial expansion, driven by the rising numbers of both leisure and business travelers. Retail buildings, particularly those outside shopping malls, have increased in size, aligning with the prevalence of big-box stores. Additionally, religious worship buildings have become larger, potentially attributed to the popularity of megachurches over the past two decades.
Regional variations also play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of commercial buildings. The South, comprising 37% of the U.S. population, takes the lead by contributing 46% of new buildings. This phenomenon is linked to the South experiencing the fastest rate of population growth across all census regions from 2000 to 2012. Notably, commercial buildings constructed in the South since 2000 are 32% larger than those built before the turn of the century.
In conclusion, the insights derived from the CBECS paint a comprehensive picture of the dynamic changes in the commercial building landscape in the United States. This survey serves as an invaluable resource for policymakers, urban planners, and industry professionals alike, offering a nuanced understanding of the trends and shifts in building size, type, and regional distribution, all of which are instrumental in shaping the future of commercial infrastructure and energy consumption.
