Policy

Existing energy efficiency technologies could reduce an average home’s energy use by 40%, according to a report unveiled by US Vice President Joe Biden yesterday.

The US Department of Energy report, Recovery Through Retrofit, says that retrofitting existing homes with energy efficiency measures could cut energy bills by $21 billion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 160 million metric tons every year.

But to realise the potential of energy efficiency, the report makes some major policy recommendations.

To take on energy efficiency retrofits, homeowners need access to reliable, straightforward advice and benchmark estimates for the cost of work.

Consumers also need access to financing to reduce upfront costs, says the report. Loans for energy efficiency retrofits should be user-friendly and repayable over long time periods.

And finally, says the report, homeowners need to trust the quality of the work undertaken. The report recommends setting up national standards for energy efficiency and retrofit workers to guarantee quality.

The DOE has also issued a call for state and local government energy efficiency programmes to apply for $454 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“An aggressive program to retrofit American homes and businesses will create more work, more savings, and better health for middle class Americans,” commented Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

For further information:
www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/Recovery_Through_Retrofit_Final_Report.pdf
www.energy.gov/

Related stories:
US Department of Energy rolls out $106 million in efficiency grants to 9 states (25-Sept)
US rolls out $450 million energy efficiency retrofit programme (15-Sept)
US Department of Energy rolls out major weatherisation funding (14-Jul)