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| standards and incentives: overview » introduction |
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Traugott Terrace, Seattle WA - photo credit: Bill Wortley | It has been said that improved energy efficiency is our greatest untapped energy source. As noted elsewhere in this toolkit, the building sector accounts for some 40 percent of energy consumption in the US, and residential buildings alone account for roughly 20 percent. [1] Improving the energy efficiency of buildings, then, represents one of the most promising strategies for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. While the benefits of larger-scale energy-saving measures such as installation of adequate insulation and high-efficiency windows and doors have been well-documented, these changes are unlikely to happen on their own in large volume due to added costs (real and perceived), logistical challenges, and inertia. States and localities that wish to achieve substantial reductions in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions will likely need to enact policies and programs to catalyze action. |
Click on the links below to learn more about setting standards and offering incentives for energy efficiency: Energy codes, similar to traditional building codes, establish minimum requirements and guidelines for the performance of new construction and existing homes undergoing substantial renovation  Energy rating systems and green building rating tools complement energy codes but encompass additional sustainability measures that may result in greater energy savings  Point-of-sale efficiency upgrades and audit requirements provide a mechanism for reducing energy use in existing homes when they are put up for sale  Energy saving and emissions reduction laws create incentives for utility companies to implement energy-saving measures, including home retrofits  Other incentive-based programs, including density bonuses and rebates on the purchase and installation of energy-efficient products, reward developers and residents that take steps to reduce energy consumption |
 Copyright © 2015 Center for Housing Policy. All Rights Reserved
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