Energy efficiency is quickly expanding from just residential housing to agriculture, including storage, insulated workshops, dairy and livestock facilities and seed dealerships.

Morton Buildings started assembling its energy-efficient guidelines in 1975, which exceeded the government regulations that were released in the mid-1980s.

"We have exceeded the standards ever since," said Sean Marcotte, general manager, designBUILD, at Morton Buildings, Inc.

"Farmers had the need for...