2025 is a pivotal year for energy efficiency in the construction industry. As regulations tighten, new figures suggest that 73% of contractors have implemented sustainable practices in the last year.
In response to growing client demands, energy-efficient building practices are gaining popularity in a fast-paced sector. As we welcome new technologies, building materials, and eco-friendly incentives, businesses that stay ahead of energy-efficient building trends can enjoy a competitive advantage.
However, only 4 out of 10 construction projects achieve their sustainability targets, highlighting the challenges that the industry still faces as it adopts energy-efficient practices.
With this in mind, let’s take a closer look at some of the energy-efficient trends you can’t ignore in 2025 if you want your business to stay at the top of its game.
The Business Case for Efficiency
There are numerous reasons to invest in sustainability as a contracting business that extend beyond securing a competitive position.
From investing in high ROI materials to building properties that retain higher market values, the benefits are endless for contractors ready to make the switch:
Lower operational costs: Energy-efficient building materials are low-cost and low-maintenance, offering a better ROI for clients and less overhead for contractors.
Higher market value: Energy-efficient builds retain higher market value.
More selling points: Energy-efficient builds are more resilient and are a brilliant choice for clients who want to future-proof their properties.
A reputational edge: Early adopters gain a reputation edge and easier compliance with future regulations.
Additionally, 75% of construction firms report that sustainability initiatives have led to a better use of resources.
The combination of reduced resource use, improved project quality and cost savings is a recipe for success as a modern-day contractor.
The key here is adopting the newest energy efficiency trends early, before a competing business gets there first.
5 Trends Contractors Can’t Ignore In 2025
From investing in greener building materials to adopting innovative building technologies, let’s have a closer look at some of the trends your contracting business shouldn’t ignore as the sector embarks on an energy-efficient future.
Greener Building Materials
One of the most popular sustainable swaps happening in the US construction sector is the move towards using greener building materials.
From low-carbon concrete to recycled and bio-based materials like hempcrete, cork, and mycelium insulation, eco-friendly material choices are gaining popularity among an increasingly eco-conscious clientele.
Not only do green building materials offer environmental benefits, such as reduced CO2 emissions and lower resource consumption, but they also contribute to significant cost savings for both customers and contractors.
According to experts at RubyHome, the average operating cost savings in the first year for new green buildings is 10.5%.
Electrification and Renewable Integration
There has also been a shift towards electrification and renewables in 2025, with 5.9 million commercial buildings now fully powered by electricity (no gas lines).
As government incentives drive the adoption of smart electric panels, heat pumps, and solar-ready infrastructure, the need for harmful fossil fuels is dwindling in the construction sector.
On the back of an all-electric push, onsite battery storage for improved energy resilience and grid efficiency has also gained popularity among contractors.
Smart Building Technologies
The introduction of IoT sensors for real-time energy monitoring and optimization has become a real game-changer in 2025 for energy-efficient builders.
If you’re looking for the highest payoff when it comes to investing in sustainable technology, IoT, and AI-powered building management systems, like Access Coins Evo, are key to reducing downtime and energy waste within your company.
Facilitating predictive maintenance and integrating seamlessly with renewable building features, smart building technologies can power modern HVAC systems, adjust lighting, and detect and rectify faults before they become a problem.
Energy Saving Design
An easy way to enhance your sustainable contracting services is to pour focus into energy-saving design choices.
Energy-efficient design is extremely attractive to eco-conscious customers, and could save both you and your client’s time and money spent on maintenance moving forward.
These are building processes, such as triple glazing, thermal breaks, passive solar design, and cool roofing materials, designed to meet the new Net-Zero standards.
If you increase your focus on airtightness and continuous insulation, you’ll quickly bring your contracting services into the mainstream.
Regulatory and Incentive Drivers
There are also numerous incentives driving energy-efficient trends forward in the construction sector.
From tax credits and rebates to pressure from green building certifications (LEED, WELL, BREEAM, ENERGY STAR), it would be hard to ignore this overwhelming push for more sustainable business practices.
In the last year alone, the number of US companies with net-zero targets increased by 9%. To remain competitive, adopting eco-friendly programs and practices should be your firm’s top priority.
Wrapping Up
2025 marks the shift from optional sustainability to essential efficiency. If you want your contracting business to thrive, it’s time to adapt and reposition your business as an energy-conscious service.
From cost to compliance to customer satisfaction, the benefits of going green are unquestionable.
