Energy Efficiency - December 1, 2011

Buildings & Net-Zero Energy

A GreenBiz.com article put together the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), the Architecture 2030 Challenge and President Obama’s “climate commitment.”

Author Jim Sinopoli writes, “The coming mandates and regulations, as well as the softer policies and initiatives, could require 60 percent or 70 percent energy consumption reduction and eventually net-zero buildings with the significant use of renewable energy.

“The teeth in this challenge will bite down hard, primarily in new construction codes that are already in the pipeline, not to mention the series of new government initiatives and imperatives that have been set forth by industry groups.”

Efficiency By The Numbers

Calculate an ROI on energy savings, CE Pro Magazine Editor Jason Knott advises technology integrators working in residential or commercial. See graphics below—the top graphic is residential while the bottom graphic is commercial.

From $20 billion to $150 billion annually is the possible savings increase from putting more investment into energy efficiency, according to a news release from the U.S. Green Building Council. These projections came from Energy Efficiency Financing Models and Strategies, a report from Capital E. The group developing the idea included the ACEE, NASEO, and a couple of banks. Release came from the USGBC. The report is available for download on the Capital-E website.

LED lamp product specification draft: According to LEDs Magazine, Energy Star has asked for comments on the first draft of the Energy Star Lamps V1.0 specification by Dec. 9.