The current problem of ensuring energy saving and improving the energy efficiency of buildings and structures for agricultural purposes is identified. The geopolitical situation, import substitution programs and agricultural development programs set the task of developing domestic vegetable production, which in its turn requires the construction of new vegetable store buildings, as in most regions of Russia the harvest is collected once a year. In this regard, the current task is to ensure the energy conservation and achieve high energy efficiency of the vegetable store buildings. Energy saving is the basic technology for creating effective agriculture. The purpose of the study is to analyse the requirements for insulation materials for buildings and vegetable store facilities, taking into account energy efficiency and life cycle cost. The authors analysed the criteria for choosing a heater for the vegetable stores: low coefficient of thermal conductivity, water absorption, sorption humidity, frost resistance, biostability, lack of cold bridges, long service life. It is proposed to supplement the criteria for choosing a building insulation with the characteristics of the life cycle cost and the service life. Design and construction of agricultural buildings is proposed to be implemented using the concepts of BLC and BIM, the use of which gives an opportunity to design buildings with optimal energy efficiency parameters and take into account the cost of the life cycle. The cost of the buildings life cycle is the main of all the performance indicators when comparing alternative design options that differ by the application of advanced technologies and material resources and the contractors' offers when concluding contracts not only for purchase, but for servicing the subject of trades during its service life. The conclusions are made about the advantages of using foamed polyethylene foam for warming vegetable store buildings, as well as the conclusion about the expediency of adding criteria determining the sustainable development of the human environment, namely life cycle cost, service life, recycling ability. The formula for calculating the cost of the buildings life cycle, adapted to the specificity of buildings for agricultural purposes, is given.