Notes and comments on the energy cost of building construction

The energy cost for construction of new homes is about one million Btu/ft², and higher for commercial buildings, confirming Stein's estimate of 1.3 million Btu/ft². A home, constructed under ASHRAE Standard 90 - 75, will consume 150 000 – 250 000 Btu/ft² annually, so its construction uses as much energy as about five years of operation. For a commercial building, the times are comparable.