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Scaling Clean Energy

Buildings

Accelerating the transition to clean, low-carbon buildings worldwide

RMI works to advance clean and affordable buildings for all

Working with utilities, policymakers, manufacturers, industry groups, and community organizations, RMI experts are at the forefront of tackling unique buildings challenges — from retrofit solutions that reduce installation and operating costs, to design incentives that make efficient, demand-flexible electrification the intuitive choice.

Clean energy buildings can deliver large reductions in climate pollution and bills/expenses

Efficient, electrified, and affordable upgrades across diverse building types are critical to ensure comfort, security, and prosperity for all.

40%

40%

of global energy greenhouse gas emissions are driven by the buildings sector

50%

50%

of home HVAC sales are now heat pumps, which have no direct greenhouse gas emissions

$1,000+

$1,000+

in annual energy bill savings when electric resistance- and delivered fuel-heated homes switch to heat pumps

Building Initiatives

Scaling efficient appliance adoption, including high-performance heat pumps and water heaters, through market transformation, policy support, and innovation.

Collaborating with utilities, regulators, and other stakeholders to align incentives, modernize rate design, and enable clean heat solutions.

Advancing demand flexibility, grid-interactive efficient buildings, and smart technologies that reduce peak demand, lower costs, and support a reliable, clean energy system. 

Guiding the industry and public agencies on measuring and reducing embodied carbon emissions.

Advancing the adoption of highly efficient cooling equipment and supporting responsible life-cycle refrigerant management globally to deliver comfort, reduce peak demand, lower climate impact, and make cooling affordable for all.

Featured Insight

Featured Insight

Green Upgrade Calculator

This sophisticated, user-friendly calculator enables energy professionals – contractors, advisors, and analysts – to assess the cost, environmental, and energy impacts of green home and transportation upgrades.

Help build the clean energy future. Donate today.

Independent research. Real-world solutions. Supported by donors.

RMI can pursue the highest-impact climate and energy solutions because we’re supported by people who believe change is possible. Every gift helps advance the work needed to make clean energy the default choice worldwide.

For other ways to give to RMI, including checks or gifts of stock, please visit Other Ways to Give.