The Irish government recently approved a package of supports to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to undertake home energy upgrades, for warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes, with lower energy bills. The measures address barriers to undertaking energy upgrades (retrofits) reported by homeowners and those working in the industry. They also reflect the step-change needed – in … Continue reading Irish government launches the National Retrofitting Scheme
Category: energy performance standards
The British energy rating scheme, recognised in law, offers a distinctly cold shoulder to the installation of heat pumps
Andrew Warren, who chairs the British Energy Efficiency Federation, warns in an articel on the Business Green website the already considerable challenge of reducing the cost of heat pumps is being complicated by the inability of Energy Performance Certificate surveyors to recommend a switch to greener heating systems EPCs don't like heat pumps - … Continue reading The British energy rating scheme, recognised in law, offers a distinctly cold shoulder to the installation of heat pumps
Blog from Jane Marsh: Why We Need More Green Buildings for Combatting Emissions
Since the United Nations established the Paris Agreement, countries have recognized the importance of climate-protection regulations. Many nations independently developed environmental policies that target greenhouse gas emissions. Cities are generally areas of concern for ecologists when it comes to shrinking countries’ carbon footprints. Urban areas produce more atmospheric pollution from transportation, energy production, and buildings. … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: Why We Need More Green Buildings for Combatting Emissions
New BPIE report: climate impact of new buildings much too high
This week, the Buildings Performance Institute Europe (BPIE) published a new report on nearly zero energy building standards in six member states that show decarbonisation of new buildings in is not happening fast enough. A failure to decarbonise newly constructed buildings could prevent the EU from achieving its climate targets for 2030 and 2050, according … Continue reading New BPIE report: climate impact of new buildings much too high
US has monumental task to update energy efficiency standards
Nearly three dozen efficiency standards are overdue for an update, and further delays could undercut Biden’s climate goals. Anna Phillips discusses latest developments in an article on The Washington Post website. Biden faces delays in undoing Trump’s war on efficient dishwashers, dryers and lightbulbs that made him ‘look orange’ Before Donald Trump launched his … Continue reading US has monumental task to update energy efficiency standards
The future of cooling our buildings must become a present-day priority
At the moment, reducing cooling energy demand is not explicitly part of energy policies for buildings in the UK. Of concern is that it’s projected that 75% to 85% of UK households will install air conditioning in response to rising temperatures by the end of the century. Radhika Khosla Associate Professor of Sustainable Development at … Continue reading The future of cooling our buildings must become a present-day priority
Blog from Jane Marsh: How Does Low Carbon Housing Benefit the Environment?
The U.S. generates 5.1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year, which come from activities like powering appliances or heating your home. In addition, carbon is released when building materials, such as concrete, are manufactured. The overproduction of carbon can lead to air pollution and increase global warming. These emissions also disturb natural habitats … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: How Does Low Carbon Housing Benefit the Environment?
European Commission publishes proposals for revising buildings directive and gas package
According to the European Consumer Organisation BEUC, consumers will benefit from new basic housing standards that will allow them to use less energy to heat or cool their homes, according to the European Commission’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive announced this week, part of its ‘Fit for 55’ climate package. However, the Commission’s Gas Package … Continue reading European Commission publishes proposals for revising buildings directive and gas package
Good EPC ratings have little impact on house prices in Britain
Rozi Jones writes on the Financial Reporter website that analysis from Nationwide shows limited impact on house prices of improvements in energy performance of buildings. There is a 1.7% house price premium for an owner-occupier property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of A or B, compared to a D-rated home, according to data … Continue reading Good EPC ratings have little impact on house prices in Britain
New report from BPIE flags ‘make-or-break’ opportunity for climate-neutral buildings in Europe
The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) is the next of the EU’s energy efficiency directives to be revised this year as part of the European Green Deal, the “Fit for 55” package and the Renovation Wave initiative. The new report, The make or break decade: Making the EPBD fit for 2030, from the Buildings Performance Institute … Continue reading New report from BPIE flags ‘make-or-break’ opportunity for climate-neutral buildings in Europe
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 