Re-thinking how we keep cool

In the Northern Hemisphere, summer is soon to leave us but there are still warm days that make us reach for air conditioning. Elizabeth Shockman writes about the increased interest in air conditioning in emerging economies on the Public Radio International (PRI) website. She assesses some innovative ways that will be less costly and have … Continue reading Re-thinking how we keep cool →

Demand flexibility

Chris Mooney writes a good article in the Washington Post about what the Rocky Mountain Institute calls ‘demand flexibility’ or ‘flexiwatts.’ Is this the way of the future? There’s a big change coming to how we power our homes — and it isn’t about solar or batteries Earlier this year, home energy received its … Continue reading Demand flexibility →

Balancing energy supply and energy demand priorities

Barbara Lewis writes a good article on the Reuters news service website about the benefits of energy efficient homes in Europe. Low-energy, healthy homes: Europe's answer to shale gas? With street names such as Temperance and Hygiene and plenty of green open spaces, the 1920s Bon Air (Good Air) housing estate in a working-class … Continue reading Balancing energy supply and energy demand priorities →

Zero-net-energy buildings gaining wide attention in the US

Brittany Patterson writes a good article on the E&E News website about the growing interest for zero-net-energy buildings in the US, with California leading the way. Will zero-net-energy homes be the wave of the future? Marisol Sanabria points to a small white device about the size of her palm encased in a hard clear … Continue reading Zero-net-energy buildings gaining wide attention in the US →

Latest developments in changes to building regulations in Australia

There has not been much good news on sustainable energy issues coming out of Australia recently. So it continues, according to an article by Damon Kitney on The Australian website. There are growing concerns about proposed federal government changes to building regulations. Builders oppose Canberra’s energy efficiency changes Some of the biggest names in … Continue reading Latest developments in changes to building regulations in Australia →

Identifying the potential for energy savings in buildings

The Intelligent Utility website provides a good article on where to improve the energy performance of buildings. Do you agree? The Key to Dramatically Reducing Overall Energy Use? Solve the Problem of Moving Air The largest energy consumers in the world are big buildings. Think of the abundance of lighting fixtures, heating/cooling systems, water … Continue reading Identifying the potential for energy savings in buildings →

Developments in new energy-efficient houses in Ukraine

There has not been a lot of good news coming out of Ukraine. Mark Rachkevych writes on the Kyiv Post website about important new developments in energy-efficient housing. One developer's solution to energy efficient houses Some 20 kilometers northwest of Kyiv stands a 129-square meter, single-family country home that is as green as it … Continue reading Developments in new energy-efficient houses in Ukraine →

Do you know how to use your thermostat?

Chris Mooney provides a good article in the Washington Post about how programmable thermostats in our homes are being misused. Many people have no idea how to use their thermostats — and it’s costing them With Americans cranking up their air conditioning to bear the summer heat, it’s time to talk about those confusing … Continue reading Do you know how to use your thermostat? →

UK position on energy efficiency getting clearer but not good

Florian Kern, co-Director of the Sussex Energy Group, a Research Fellow working on a project on ‘policy synergies and trade offs for low energy innovation‘ at the Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand, and a Senior Lecturer at SPRU-Science Policy Research Unit, writes about another about face for the UK government. This blog is on … Continue reading UK position on energy efficiency getting clearer but not good →

British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes

Philip Oldfield writes in the Guardian about the government decision to axe plans to make new homes carbon neutral from 2016. This has raised much criticism. What the article does not mention is how the government will now meet its related obligations for nearly zero energy buildings under the EU’s energy performance of buildings directive. … Continue reading British government ditches plans for zero carbon homes →