New EEA briefing on the human element for investing in energy renovations

A better understanding is needed of how owners, construction contractors and installers interact and perceive possible advantages of renovating their houses, apartments and other buildings to improve energy efficiency. This would help bolster European policies to shift the building sector to a carbon-neutral future. A European Environment Agency (EEA) briefing published this week explores the … Continue reading New EEA briefing on the human element for investing in energy renovations →

The cooling conundrum

Rising temperatures are leading to a surge in demand for cooling. But, ironically, the more we rely on energy-intensive air conditioners, the more the planet warms. What are the other options? Natalie Muller and Neil King discuss in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Keeping homes cool on a warming planet In many … Continue reading The cooling conundrum →

Advanced insulation materials for energy efficiency

Lawrence Webb writes on the Energy Portal website about the critical role advanced insulation materials are playing in enhancing energy efficiency in buildings. What are your views? Exploring Advanced Insulation Materials for Enhanced Energy Efficiency in Buildings Advanced insulation materials are playing a critical role in enhancing energy efficiency in buildings, thereby reducing energy … Continue reading Advanced insulation materials for energy efficiency →

Old multi-storey car parks might be at risk of collapse under weight of EVs

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has said UK car parks could collapse under the weight of electric vehicles (EVs) unless weight limits are imposed or the buildings are strengthened. Read about their recent report in a news item on the Engineering and Technology (E&T) website. The article doesn’t mention it but, the size and … Continue reading Old multi-storey car parks might be at risk of collapse under weight of EVs →

Important Infographic: Buildings in the Fit for 55

EuroACE recently updated their infographic "Buildings in the Fit for 55 Package for a Climate Neutral Economy in 2050". This is a useful overview that you should find very useful. It takes into account the final version of five different files plus the Commission's proposal on EPBD. The infographic provides a detailed overview of where the energy performance … Continue reading Important Infographic: Buildings in the Fit for 55 →

Update on the energy renovation of buildings

EiD has published 586 posts on buildings in the past 11 years. You can see how the topic has evolved over the years. Particularly relevant to renovating buildings is this post from last summer to work cut out for us to get the energy efficiency improvements we need. Now if you are looking at renovating … Continue reading Update on the energy renovation of buildings →

Canada’s energy transition to net-zero emissions: need to upgrade 600,000 existing homes and 750 million square metres of existing commercial space per year between now and 2040

have to act now, and the shift will require a co-ordinated effort between government, industry and residents. Abdul Matin Sarfraz discusses the challenges and costs in an article on the National Observer website. The cost of turning older buildings into climate-fighting machines While Canada has set a deadline to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions … Continue reading Canada’s energy transition to net-zero emissions: need to upgrade 600,000 existing homes and 750 million square metres of existing commercial space per year between now and 2040 →

Update on the energy performance of buildings

Improving the energy performance of our buildings is a high priority as countries roll out their net-zero energy transition strategies. This week there were two interesting articles you should be aware of: The Mortgage Solutions website writes that around 80 per cent of landlords have already completed energy efficiency works in the UK. Check out … Continue reading Update on the energy performance of buildings →

Is hydrogen a realistic option for home heating?

Ran Boydell, Associate Professor in Sustainable Development at Heriot-Watt University, in an article on The Conversation website, argues against hydrogen being used for home heating. What are your views? Replacing methane with hydrogen to heat homes is a bad idea – here’s why Hydrogen is an energy-rich gas, which releases no carbon emissions when … Continue reading Is hydrogen a realistic option for home heating? →

Britain’s energy transition: looking at its building stock, the challenges are daunting to meet the net-zero target

Thursday, March 30th, the UK government announced its net-zero strategy and you can get the main elements of it here in an article on the Guardian website. Jillian Ambrose wrote a very important background article on Monday on the Guardian website, focusing on the negligible progress made in improving the energy efficiency of its building … Continue reading Britain’s energy transition: looking at its building stock, the challenges are daunting to meet the net-zero target →