Increasing energy efficiency of commercial buildings reduces heating and cooling costs and, in the big picture, reduces U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The Tribune story on Saturday about efforts by St. Alexius Medical Center and Medcenter One to make their facilities more energy efficient laid out the financial benefits of creative efforts to reduce energy use - summer and winter. These efforts stand as examples of what can happen in the commercial world if energy conservation receives the attention it deserves.

For those carbon counters out there, residential and commercial buildings represent 40 percent of carbon emissions in the U.S. Nearly 81 million buildings in this country were constructed before 1979, suggesting rich pickings for conservation.

Medcenter One cut its natural gas consumption in July in half through use of new "chiller" or air-cooling unit, and saved about $32,000. That innovation came as a result of a study. The hospital is also replacing air handlers, installed more efficient ballasts in fluorescent light fixtures, added motion sensors and additional insulation for more savings.

At St. Alexus there's a new infrared camera that reveals where the hospital is losing heat and cooling. St. Alexus has also added motion sensors, more efficient lighting and made changes in the control system for heating and cooling. Altogether, hospital officials figure they have saved about $500,000 a year by making energy efficiency improvements.

Gold stars all around.

Ironically, a recent survey of U.S. Department of Energy buildings revealed a failure to use thermostats that automatically reduce the temperature when the building isn't in use. The savings would be $11.5 million a year by cutting heating and cooling costs at night and on weekends. That's real savings.

North Dakotans, on the receiving end of stiff heating bills when it's below zero, are well motivated to making energy improvements to their homes - adding insulation and sealing windows and doors. Proof of this can be found in the busy aisles of home improvement stores, especially after first frost.

That same motivation should be shared by owners and operators of commercial and industrial buildings here. St. Alexius and Medcenter certainly found that to be the case. And in recent years, area schools have also made positive strides in controlling their energy cost by making improvements in their buildings.

Energy conservation through increased efficiency makes a great deal of sense. If these efforts take hold nationally, the U.S. can save something like $4 billion a year. That's serious money.