Support to renovate Ukraine’s buildings

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has been developing energy efficiency financing facilities in many of its countries of operation. Now Interfax Natural Gas Daily writes that the EBRD is considering a similar arrangement for Ukraine. EBRD working on Ukrainian energy efficiency funding package The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) … Continue reading Support to renovate Ukraine’s buildings →

Results from a net-zero energy test house in the US

Mark Bello writes on the National Institute of Standards and Technology website about the results of a test house in the suburbs of Washington D.C. NIST Test House Exceeds Goal; Ends Year with Energy to Spare The net-zero energy test house at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in suburban Washington, D.C., … Continue reading Results from a net-zero energy test house in the US →

UK’s programmes for buildings retrofits not living up to promises

Fiona Harvey writes in The Guardian about the poor results from the two programmes in the UK that are designed to help finance building retrofits. UK on track to miss carbon targets, climate change advisers warn The coalition’s flagship insulation programmes have failed to put the UK on the right track to meet its commitments … Continue reading UK’s programmes for buildings retrofits not living up to promises →

Two member states failing to fully implement the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive

Priyanka Shrestha writes in Energy Live News about the failure of Austria and Poland to fully meet their obligations under the EU Directive. Poland and Austria referred to court over energy efficiency law The European Commission is referring Poland and Austria to the EU Court of Justice for failing to enact the energy efficiency buildings … Continue reading Two member states failing to fully implement the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive →

Planning for new energy performance database on Europe’s buildings

Vicky Ellis writes in EnergyLive News about a new database entitled Energy Efficiency Performance of Properties Analysis. This effort is certainly welcome. Craning to see which are the most efficient buildings in Europe? Ever wondered which continental country has the most energy efficient buildings? Or how your building squares up to one in Germany … Continue reading Planning for new energy performance database on Europe’s buildings →

Looking for a holiday treat?

The Construction Index writes about a temporary site in the suburbs on Paris that demonstrates the benefits of energy-efficient buildings. You can visit it and then head to the Chateau de Versailles since the “micro-city” is built on its parkland. No doubt, the whole family will enjoy it. But you will have to hurry. It … Continue reading Looking for a holiday treat? →

Reviewing the new report – Climate Change: Implications for Buildings

Those working globally, regionally or nationally to improve the energy performance of buildings have recognised and tried to explain to a wider audience the importance of having an ambitious approach to such improvements for both new and existing buildings. While one can go on and on about one energy supply source after another, what it … Continue reading Reviewing the new report – Climate Change: Implications for Buildings →

Question of the week – is the lock in effect a major policy concern?

It would be good to get readers’ views on the “lock in effect” related to the renovation of buildings. The EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive from 2012 requires member states to prepare long-term renovation strategies. In the recital to the Directive it states: Bearing in mind that the Council conclusions of 10 June 2011 on the … Continue reading Question of the week – is the lock in effect a major policy concern? →

A high-rise Active House in Germany

Planetsave writes about a new residential building in Franfurt that shows what can be done combining energy efficient measures and solar. It does not state what the consumption per square metre is and it would be good if any EiD readers could let us know. Tallest German Residential High-Rise Will Also Be Solar Aktivhaus … Continue reading A high-rise Active House in Germany →

Energy efficiency in old buildings

The UK’s Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings has provided a valuable briefing on energy efficiency in old buildings. As they state, old buildings are sustainable, their very existence demonstrates this, but they can still frequently benefit from sensitive, well-informed energy efficiency measures. They knew that accurate information is a pre-requisite for good building … Continue reading Energy efficiency in old buildings →