Category: buildings

Let there be light . . . when we need it

Paul Attfield writes in Canada’s Globe and Mail about the use of motion sensors to help address improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings.   Last person out, the building will turn off the lights Though provincial incentives to reward energy efficiency may give commercial landlords a financial impetus, many find it is also a … Continue reading Let there be light . . . when we need it →

Finland reprimanded over failure to implement EPBD

The popular opinion is that Finland is amongst the best EU member states for giving a priority to energy efficiency. Finnbay reports that the European Commission has referred Finland to the Court of Justice because of its failure to implement aspects of the buildings directive related to energy performance certificates and nearly zero energy buildings. … Continue reading Finland reprimanded over failure to implement EPBD →

Companies can become zero energy

The Swedish furniture company has never had so much attention. Dominic Basulto, a futurist and blogger, writes in the Washington Post that all companies should pledge to be net zero energy by 2050, following the example of IKEA that has pledged to do so by 2020. With the eceee industrial summer study coming up in … Continue reading Companies can become zero energy →

Important new report on financing energy efficiency measures

Yamina Saheb of the EC’s Joint Research Centre provides details of the interim report of an important new group of a wide range of institutions that are working together to address the need to increase the scale of energy efficiency investments across the EU. The interim report covers the buildings sector. Energy Efficiency – the … Continue reading Important new report on financing energy efficiency measures →

Important new public finance initiative in UK

The website Building Better Healthcare reports on an important new financing deal to retrofit one of London’s classic hospitals. The deal could prove to be an important model for the future.   Landmark energy efficiency deal signed at St Bartholomew’s Hospital A new, low-carbon combined cooling, heating and power solution is being created for St … Continue reading Important new public finance initiative in UK →

New GBPN tool to promote deep renovations

The Global Buildings Performance Network (GBPN) is a globally organised and regionally focused organisation whose mission is to provide policy expertise and technical assistance to advance building energy performance and realise sustainable built environments for all. This week, the GBPN launched a new interactive Policy Tool for Renovation. The tool compares and analyses twelve best … Continue reading New GBPN tool to promote deep renovations →

Update on last week’s post on the need for more focus on implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive

There have been responses to the EiD discussion paper published last week, most of them directly by email.  The number of downloads of the report and the responses to the related tweets were most encouraging.  There is a great concern about implementation and many mention the number of infringement procedures underway that indicate the level … Continue reading Update on last week’s post on the need for more focus on implementation of the energy performance of buildings directive →

Refurbishing multi-family building to passive house standard

The ECD Architects website provides an excellent example of an ambitious renovation in the UK.  Importantly, the residents wanted this standard of renovation.   Wilmcote House, Portsmouth England This is the first retrofit of a British residential tower block to 'Passivhaus' standards of near-zero carbon emissions.  Owned by Portsmouth City Council, the 100-dwelling, 1960s Wilmcote … Continue reading Refurbishing multi-family building to passive house standard →

Making strong arguments why older homes need ambitious retrofits

Policy makers are facing important decisions on renovation strategies.  In Europe, member states will soon be sending their long-term renovation strategies to the European Commission as part of the Energy Efficiency Directive.  Bruce Mulliken writes in Green Energy News about a new report from the US that should give you food for thought. Deep Energy … Continue reading Making strong arguments why older homes need ambitious retrofits →