Which of the following actions can help minimize energy costs in buildings?

Improving insulation is a highly effective action for minimizing energy costs in buildings. Insulation serves as a barrier to heat flow, which means it helps keep the desired temperature inside a building stable, regardless of the temperature outside. By reducing the amount of heated or cooled air that escapes, well-insulated buildings require less energy for heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. This not only leads to lower energy consumption but also decreases overall utility bills for occupants, bolstering the long-term economic viability of a building.

High-quality insulation contributes significantly to energy efficiency and can be a fundamental component of a building's design, impacting its energy profile positively. Options like single-pane windows and the use of incandescent bulbs do not provide the same level of efficiency. Single-pane windows are less effective at retaining heat compared to double or triple-pane alternatives, meaning they can actually lead to increased energy costs. Similarly, incandescent bulbs are not as energy-efficient as modern lighting options like LEDs, resulting in higher energy consumption for lighting. Heating all areas to the same temperature can lead to waste, as it ignores the potential for zoning and adjusting temperatures based on usage and occupancy, which can further increase energy costs.