Are Our Homes Becoming More Energy Efficient

of Are Homes Becoming More Energy Efficient? We've explored current facts and figures to find out if UK, US and Worldwide homes really are becoming more energy efficient In the United Kingdom. EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) Evidence In the UK it's a legal requirement for properties to have an EPC certificate, which rates the property from A to G (A being very energy efficient). Here's an overview of the changes in EPC ratings over the past 3 years: All Dwellings Energy Efficiency Rating: (% of homes of all types and ages) Based on Based on Fuel Costs CO2 Emissions 10% 6% 8% 7% 9% 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Energy Efficiency Key: A-B C-D E-G A-B A-B ratings have increased showing a shift towards energy efficiency. This may be due to new dwellings (new builds, conversions, changes of use) being much more energy efficient. New Dwellings Energy Efficiency Rating: (% of new builds, conversions, changes of use) That's +8% in Based on just 3 years! Based on Fuel Costs CO2 Emissions 76% 83% 72% 84% 68% 83% 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 O 10 20 3O 40 50 60 70 80 Energy Efficiency Key: A-B. C-D E-G So, new dwellings are performing in a much more energy efficient manner compared to their older counterparts. However, the UK Government will require all new homes to be zero carbon from 2016! 43% | 17% In 2009 buildings accounted Between 2004 and 2013 for about 43% of all the UK's domestic energy consumption carbon emissions. per household fell 17%. In 2014 overall UK Carbon This was in part due to emissions fell 9%. This is the falling energy use trends, as largest year on year reduction since 1880 for a year with a a result of the installation of building insulation. growing economy. In the United States.. State Building Energy Standards Are Increasing Energy Efficiency The U.S. Department of Energy's Building Energy Codes Program supports increased energy efficiency in America's buildings by helping to advance building energy codes, which are updated every few years. 110 1975 Standard = 100% Energy Use 90 80 70 That's an energy saving of around 17% in 30 years! 60 50 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 These energy codes are adopted and adhered to (or not) at the state or local levels of government. versus 1992 2008 By August 2008 this had increased to 38/50 states In 1992 only 4/50 states and 2/5 US territories had a residential energy code that met with the Energy Policy and 4/5 territories. Act's requirements. 4/50 38/50 2/5 4/5 Residential Energy Code adopted: Yes No Some counties or jurisdictions A focus on energy efficiency is the most important development and design strategy that is making new US housing greener." According to a recent industry survey by McGraw Hill Construction. 75% of single-family and 84% of multifamily builders indicated that improved energy efficiency was a factor making their projects greener than two years ago. Supply vs Demand vs Going Green The US population grew 30% from 1980 to 2005 but housing grew 40% (i.e. average household size decreasing). 1980 2005 So even though US homes are becoming more energy efficient in general, the rate of change is not yet fast enough to offset the rate of new construction. 23% U.S. buildings currently contribute 9% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions 21% In fact, U.S. buildings would rank just behind the United States (as a whole) and China 9% as the largest source of carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide emissions from U.S. buildings exceed the combined emissions of Japan, France, and the -United Kingdom. The Rest of the World The Top 5 Most Energy Efficient Cities in the World Reykjavik, Vancouver, Copenhagen, Oslo, London, Iceland Canada Denmark Norway England Copenhagan and London are particularly notable for the contribution homes are making to their energy efficiency efforts. Copenhagan encourages 'green roofs' for insulation and London offers incentives for improved energy efficiency of homes. 2023 There is also a rising demand for energy efficient building products worldwide. Navigant (a major business consultancy firm) predicts the 2014 global market for energy-efficient building products and services will increase 103% from 2014 to 2023. The Building Sector has the largest potential for delivering long-term, significant and cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions. With proven and commercially available technologies, energy Buildings are responsible for more than 40% of global energy consumption in both new and existing buildings can be cut by use and one third of global an estimated 30 - 80%. greenhouse gas emissions, both in developed and developing countries. Sources: VIBRANTdoors carbonbrief.org gov.uk energy.gov eyeonhousing.org oilprice.com freevectormaps.com www.vibrantdoors.co.uk 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 +103% 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15