Focus must be on implementation if we are to see needed impact of energy performance of buildings

The energy performance of buildings directive was recast in 2010 and EU member states are busy implementing it.  A new EiD discussion paper by Rod Janssen considers many of the challenges facing member states in this implementation phase.  It reviews the challenges in improving the energy performance of buildings as a whole:  gaining and maintaining … Continue reading Focus must be on implementation if we are to see needed impact of energy performance of buildings

New UN report shows value of improving the energy efficiency of buildings

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been actively seeking how to finance measures to address climate change and other related concerns.  It created a finance initiative that is a global partnership between UNEP and the financial sector.  It has just published an important report on the importance of investing in energy efficient measures in … Continue reading New UN report shows value of improving the energy efficiency of buildings

These buildings may be “green” but it doesn’t make them energy efficient

The Environmental Policy Alliance (EPA) has recently released research to show that LEED-certified buildings in the Washington DC area may have a good reputation but there are questions about their energy efficiency.  There are concerns about LEED that are mentioned in this article.  It is particularly important in Washington because D.C. is one of several … Continue reading These buildings may be “green” but it doesn’t make them energy efficient

Benefits of new energy building codes

Barbara Vergetis Lundin writes in Fierce Energy about new research from one of the US national laboratories that quantified the savings from federal funding for more ambitious energy building codes. Interestingly, for every US$1 the Department of Energy spent on building energy codes, US$400 in energy cost savings resulted.   Building code energy efficiency dollar … Continue reading Benefits of new energy building codes

How Singapore is promoting energy efficient buildings

Dr. John Keung, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) wrote in Today’s Facility Manager about the initiatives underway in Singapore to encourage the building of energy efficient buildings.  It is a good example for others to consider.   Singapore Ramps Up Energy Efficient Buildings Climate change has been a hot topic … Continue reading How Singapore is promoting energy efficient buildings

Impact of energy-efficient homes

A study in Ireland shows that investing in improving the energy performance of homes brings good dividends to the overall asset value.  This post was written by Paul Melia of the Irish Independent.   Energy-efficiency measures add 10pc to home value Homeowners have added almost 10pc to the value of their homes by investing in … Continue reading Impact of energy-efficient homes

Survey of indoor temperatures in the UK

Ian Johnston of The Independent reports on a recent study that surveyed indoor temperature has risen almost 14 % since the 1970s, with an actual decrease in average household consumption. Many from other EU countries will be surprised that the average temperature is now 17.7 degrees C. Furthermore, more than a third of people keep … Continue reading Survey of indoor temperatures in the UK

More gloom in retrofitting houses in Britain

Several EiD posts in the past few months have reported on the difficulties in getting the new energy efficiency financing schemes in the UK – the Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation – to achieve their expected impact. Damian Carrington writes in the Guardian about, as Andrew Warren of the Association for the Conservation … Continue reading More gloom in retrofitting houses in Britain

Energy efficiency programmes need to reflect needs of consumers

The Dromore Leader in Lisburn, Northern Ireland writes about findings from the Consumer Council on the need for better targeted energy efficiency programmes.  Hopefully others outside Northern Ireland will also listen to this advice. Energy schemes need to be smarter, says consumer council Reduce the number of energy efficiency schemes and concentrate spending on high … Continue reading Energy efficiency programmes need to reflect needs of consumers

How important is a warm home?

A survey was recently undertaken in the UK to gauge how important energy efficiency measures are in terms of infrastructure projects.  The results are reported on the Energy & Environment Management website.  Hopefully decision-makers will take heed. Warmer homes more important than rail and road, says UK public Making homes more energy efficient is a … Continue reading How important is a warm home?