If you’re concerned about the cost of electricity, you may be interested to learn that building codes and performance standards are the best ways to encourage energy efficiency. But are they the best way to promote energy efficiency? Here are three ways to make your home more energy efficient. All of them involve simple steps you can take immediately. These include turning off electronics, adjusting temperature settings, setting timers, and hunting down energy vampires. We all have energy vampires.
IEA supports energy efficiency
The IEA is the premier global body that promotes energy efficiency and renewable energies. The organization’s 10-Point Plan for Energy Efficiency highlights ways governments and citizens can work together to create a low-carbon future. The plan outlines key goals and action plans, and is guided by an executive committee. Despite its broad scope, it focuses on four priority products: lighting, refrigerators and air conditioners, and industrial motor systems. Combined, these products are responsible for more than half of global electricity demand, and contribute five billion tonnes of CO2 emissions each year. The IEA says that by promoting energy efficiency, governments and citizens will experience significant energy savings.
The IEA’s latest report on Energy Efficiency shows that in 2017, global energy efficiency was at its lowest level in a decade. Though the figures improved by 2021, it still has a long way to go to meet the targets for the Paris Agreement. Bob Birol, CEO of the IEA, recently spoke to Bjorn Rosengren, CEO of ABB, an electric vehicle charging infrastructure company. The IEA considers energy efficiency the ‘first fuel’ and a critical factor for meeting climate goals.
In addition to addressing these challenges, the IEA facilitates knowledge exchange through workshops, training programs, and research collaborations. Moreover, it is active in various global fora. For instance, the IEA convened a global commission on urgent action on energy efficiency, which examined new, stronger government action to achieve energy efficiency targets. The commission also generated 10 actionable recommendations, including measures that could help governments achieve their energy efficiency goals.
IEA supports building codes
Building codes are important for achieving several complementary goals. In addition to energy cost savings, they improve air quality, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and promote economic and social development. These objectives are mutually reinforcing, and IEA supports their adoption. Building energy codes should be based on current science and be easily understood by building market actors. The following steps can be taken to ensure the success of building codes:
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) supports energy efficiency through the development of model building codes. DOE also supports the implementation of energy efficiency standards and codes, and provides technical assistance to state and local governments. Building code reforms will help meet these goals. But what are the goals? How do we achieve them? What can we do to increase energy efficiency in buildings? To start, let’s define what energy efficiency is and what it means for the built environment.
One of the key goals of an energy code is to reduce emissions. Currently, no building code requires the use of all available energy-efficient technologies. But it is important to remember that there are many factors that affect a building’s overall performance. By adhering to these codes, the owner of a building can reduce its energy bills and reduce air pollution. Similarly, building codes can help reduce carbon emissions, which is important in the context of reducing the impact of climate change.
Developing countries have the potential to lead the way in promoting energy efficiency. With global population growth and rising living standards, more countries are looking to implement building energy codes to improve their buildings. And the IEA is supporting this process by providing resources and tools that make it easier to use the standards for building energy efficiency. The IEA has compiled a list of resources for energy code development. All of these sources can help you get started on the path to energy efficiency.
IEA supports performance standards
The IEA has supported the development of energy performance standards for buildings and industry to help companies and governments meet their goals for energy and carbon reduction. Currently, 80 countries have adopted minimum energy performance standards for buildings, but the requirements are too low to spur improvements in energy efficiency. To meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement and the Energy Charter for Europe, the IEA is working with various international organizations, such as the United Nations, to establish performance standards that will help companies achieve those targets.
The IEA’s role in implementing energy efficiency policies is to facilitate knowledge exchange and education through workshops, training programmes, and research collaborations. The IEA works to support the energy efficiency movement with partners and in global fora, such as the World Economic Forum. In 2017, it convened the Global Commission on Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency, which examined new and stronger policies by governments and developed 10 actionable recommendations to help companies reach their goals.
In addition, the IEA has supported energy efficiency policies in key economies. In a recent report, the IEA has presented metrics on building energy use for countries in the Arab-SEMED region. The report examines building energy use between 2000 and 2012 in a variety of sectors, including residential and commercial buildings. The report also discusses the historical drivers of building energy use, such as population, building sector size, economic activity, and policy.
The IEA supports the adoption of minimum energy performance standards for appliances, which are key to reducing carbon emissions and power consumption. Achieving these standards has led to a reduction in national energy-related CO2 emissions of seven to 10 percent in countries with the longest-running programs. Further, it has been found that appliances that meet minimum energy efficiency standards save approximately 15% of their energy consumption. Further, as the replacement of outdated appliances continues, more energy efficient appliances are installed.
IEA supports nudges
The IEA has supported nudges as an approach to improving energy efficiency. Nudges are behavioral interventions that modify behaviors without requiring a pre-decisional attitude. These interventions leverage heuristics and mental shortcuts in decision-making contexts, including hot and impulsive decision-making styles. In addition, nudges are designed to exploit our inherent biases. Researchers such as Tversky and Kahneman have studied the “present bias” and developed techniques that aim to change it.
Consumers’ decisions are strongly influenced by feedback about energy use. Whether feedback is delivered through detailed bills or home energy reports is not as important as the frequency of messages. In-home displays, paper visuals, and door hangers have marginally better effects. Feedback delivered via computers is most effective, with most consumers opting for it. However, the results are not statistically significant. However, nudges for energy efficiency have a positive impact on the bottom line.
Games and competitions are another tool that utilities can use to encourage people to save energy. These games are designed to stimulate consumers to make small but meaningful changes to their energy use. They can be tailored to different time frames, with long-term programmes leading to drastic changes in energy habits. The shorter-term programmes can target specific short-term goals and maintain momentum. A case study of a demand-response incentive scheme in the UK, for example, aimed at reducing energy use has shown a 26% to 42% reduction in household electricity consumption in the city of Toronto.
IEA supports EC
The IEA is committed to energy efficiency as a way to help fight climate change. The organization is promoting policies and incentives to promote energy efficiency in buildings and industry. In 2018, the use of energy efficiency standards saved more than 1500 TWh of electricity globally. In fact, in the countries with the longest running energy efficiency programmes, improvements in efficiency could have reduced electricity demand by more than 30%. Such a reduction would have resulted in a cut of three-and-a-half of China’s current electricity consumption.
In addition, the IEA also promotes energy efficiency by providing research, technology, and policy recommendations that help governments unlock the potential of energy efficiency. Through its analysis, the organization has helped governments implement policies to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy bills. By bringing together key stakeholders, the IEA aims to foster innovation in energy efficiency. Moreover, it supports energy efficiency at key global fora. Recently, the IEA convened the Global Commission for Urgent Action on Energy Efficiency (GCEE). This commission examined and compiled a number of recommendations for policymakers, including a reduction in air pollution.
In addition, IEA reports that public spending on energy efficiency incentives has declined by 3% globally since 2010. However, this is still far less than the amount spent on other types of energy subsidy. The IEA reports that, since 2009, USD 66 billion has been allocated to promoting efficiency. Of this, USD 26 billion was allocated to the buildings sector. According to the IEA, investments in the buildings sector generated an average of fifteen jobs for every USD million allocated. The remaining USD 20 billion went to the development of new vehicle charging infrastructure and the electric vehicle transition.
