China making significant progress in building energy code compliance

A new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Global Buildings Performance Network, published mid March, shows that compliance on building codes in China has been steadily improving since 2005. "The significant improvement is rooted in strong governmental regulatory support; clear rules about the responsibilities of key stakeholders and penalties for … Continue reading China making significant progress in building energy code compliance →

Consumer energy bills rise dramatically since 2001 in UK

Newspaper reports show that, according to official figures, average household consumption of gas and electricity fell by 11.3% between 2001 and 2011 as people tried to protect themselves against spiralling prices. Despite this reduction in use, the amount families, pensioners and others spent on keeping warm rose by 23.5%, according to the Office of National … Continue reading Consumer energy bills rise dramatically since 2001 in UK →

Financing energy efficiency in buildings – the American way

Financing energy efficiency in buildings is a challenge to policy makers, to consumers and to the energy efficiency industries (services and products). Two innovative approaches have recently been discussed in the US. SolarCity SolarCity, a national provider of clean energy services, on March 27th unveiled a Home Energy Loan for energy efficiency upgrades that will … Continue reading Financing energy efficiency in buildings – the American way →

Cost optimality

On Wednesday, March 21st, the European Parliament and the Council published a comparative methodology framework for calculating cost-optimal levels of minimum energy performance requirements for buildings and building elements. The publication sets a deadline of one year from March 21st for member states to submit their first report on cost optimality concerning all input data … Continue reading Cost optimality →

Good news . . . No news . . .

On March 10th, the Commission published a new regulation on ecodesign requirements for air conditioners and comfort fans (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 206/2012) that significantly raises the minimum energy performance standards of air conditioners. But one would never know it. The news has gone virtually unreported. There is one good report, though, on the Coolproducts … Continue reading Good news . . . No news . . . →

Public consultation on financial support for energy efficiency in buildings

A two-month public consultation on "Financial Support for Energy Efficiency in Buildings" has been launched by the Directorate General for Energy. The consultation period expires on May 18th. The objective is to obtain the views of the wide range of stakeholders throughout Europe on ways to improve the financial support for energy efficiency measures that … Continue reading Public consultation on financial support for energy efficiency in buildings →

Russian steps . . .

Rod Janssen of EiD has worked in many regions of Russia and can testify to the problems with improving energy use in the country. This is an excellent article from Reuter’s on many of the issues facing Russia. Reluctant Russia wakes up to energy waste by Jennifer Rankin MOSCOW, March 20 (Reuters) - The … Continue reading Russian steps . . . →

Energy savings targets revisited

Negotiators of the draft Energy Efficiency Directive have been struggling for months to settle on a strategy to achieve the 2020 energy savings target. The Commission, Council, Parliament and all stakeholders agree that the indicative 20% energy savings target will not be achieved with current policies and programmes. There have been debates about how to … Continue reading Energy savings targets revisited →

Why is EU energy saving easier said than done?

This is an excellent question and answer article by Barbara Lewis of Reuter’s that was published on March 15th. The topic is one that anyone working in energy efficiency in Europe has struggled with endlessly. Q&A – Why is EU energy saving easier said than done? (Reuters) - A draft European Union law on energy … Continue reading Why is EU energy saving easier said than done? →

IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector

Cutting back on the amount of energy consumed in buildings all over the world will represent a significant step forward in efforts to strengthen energy security and combat climate change, International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said as she announced new IEA initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings … Continue reading IEA unveils new initiatives on sustainable energy policies and technologies in the buildings sector →