Many homes have moisture, combustion safety or indoor air quality problem that result from inadequate or non-functional energy systems.
Information and misinformation abounds and is often contradictory. This can be overwhelming for home owners.
Products that sport rebates for high-efficiency models such as Energy Star rated appliances, CFLs, LEDs and high performance air conditioners can lower product costs and increase adoption.
Rebate programs can ramp up quickly, are easy to deploy, and fairly easy to evaluate. While widget-based rebate programs have relatively low savings per unit, the high nuber of units and low per-unit transaction cost can yield significant and cost-effective energy reductions, particularly if the market is truly transformed after the removal of the incentive.
One problem of rebate programs is that they usually do not address site-specific selection/application, installation, measure interaction or deal with side effects. Because of these limitations, rebates can sometimes result in lost opportunities for more significant alternatives and create negative side effects.
Home Performance Programs
The whole house or home performance paradigm focuses on building system performance ith energy reduction as one part of the greater whole. To date, whole house programs have mostly been delivered through low-income programs and are beginning to filter into for-profit energy efficiency programs.
Sustainable Paradigm
Current and long erm impact on the community and larger environment are considered in a sustainable paradigm that assesses the life cycle of building components and products consumed in house operation. Land use, water use, and site environmental impact, as well as building durability and energy use are examined. This is a "green building" approach.
The deep energy reduction paradigm builds on the strengths of the previous paradigms. The deep energy paradigm fits well in a sustainable paradigm that incorporates a design centered approach and inclusion of impacts beyond the homeowner's site.
While many strategies can be used to achieve deep energy reductions, universal principles are emerging. To summarize them:
SOURCE: Linda Wigington, Affordable Comfort, Inc; "Deep Energy Reductions in Existing Homes; Strategies for Implementation"
- It is estimated that 40% of basements in Canada are damp and for children, the health effect of living in damp environments is equal to exposure to secondhand smoke (Fugler 2007).
- One in 15 homes in the US has elevated radon.
- 64 million homes have lead-based paint somewhere in the building.
- Over 20 million Americans have asthma and in 1990, asthma was the cause of 4500 deaths annually. Many asthma triggers are found in indoor environments.
Information and misinformation abounds and is often contradictory. This can be overwhelming for home owners.
In many cases, true efficiency improvements are not the function of mere presence of a high efficiency product -- but rather, its appropriateness and correct installation.Certification and quality assurance programs offered by organization help support a trained workforce. These organizations offer programs:
Three paradigms influence residential energy efficiency efforts:
- NATE
- BPI
- ACCA
- EPA Home Performance
- Energy Star
1. the productsProduct Rebate Programs
2. whole house or home performance
3. sustainability strategies
Products that sport rebates for high-efficiency models such as Energy Star rated appliances, CFLs, LEDs and high performance air conditioners can lower product costs and increase adoption.
Rebate programs can ramp up quickly, are easy to deploy, and fairly easy to evaluate. While widget-based rebate programs have relatively low savings per unit, the high nuber of units and low per-unit transaction cost can yield significant and cost-effective energy reductions, particularly if the market is truly transformed after the removal of the incentive.
One problem of rebate programs is that they usually do not address site-specific selection/application, installation, measure interaction or deal with side effects. Because of these limitations, rebates can sometimes result in lost opportunities for more significant alternatives and create negative side effects.
Home Performance Programs
The whole house or home performance paradigm focuses on building system performance ith energy reduction as one part of the greater whole. To date, whole house programs have mostly been delivered through low-income programs and are beginning to filter into for-profit energy efficiency programs.
Typical costs range from $3-$35,000 per house; and energy reductions range from 5-35%.A home performance job may include work and cost tht is directed to solving problems such as correcting a wet basement or crawl space, which may not generate direct energy savings.
Sustainable Paradigm
Current and long erm impact on the community and larger environment are considered in a sustainable paradigm that assesses the life cycle of building components and products consumed in house operation. Land use, water use, and site environmental impact, as well as building durability and energy use are examined. This is a "green building" approach.
Interest in USGBC and ASID's green guideline for existing homes, REGREEN, released in 2008 has exceeded the expectation of the developers (Yost 2008).Deep Energy Reduction Paradigm
The deep energy reduction paradigm builds on the strengths of the previous paradigms. The deep energy paradigm fits well in a sustainable paradigm that incorporates a design centered approach and inclusion of impacts beyond the homeowner's site.
While many strategies can be used to achieve deep energy reductions, universal principles are emerging. To summarize them:
- A systems approach is necessary to optimize on-site and off-site benefits and interactions
- Good indoor air quality and building durability are integral elements
- Performance must be verified with a combination of diagnostic equipment and actual measurement of all benefits.
- Occupant behavior and community solutions are an integral part of the strategy
- Deep energy reductions should be viewed as an ongoing process to ensure proper maintenance and operation
- A trigger event can capture opportunities as they emerge, ie: roof, siding or HVAC system replacements.
SOURCE: Linda Wigington, Affordable Comfort, Inc; "Deep Energy Reductions in Existing Homes; Strategies for Implementation"