Energy efficiency initiatives have saved hundreds of billions of dollars in energy costs while preventing sharp increases in greenhouse gas emissions, according to the recently released Energy Efficiency Impact Report by a consortium of three energy efficiency organizations.
Efficiency investments since 1980 prevented a 60% increase in energy consumption and carbon emissions and are responsible for half of the carbon dioxide emissions reductions in the U.S. power sector since 2005, the report says.
Energy-efficient lighting has been a notable success, with a market for LEDs that went from an emerging technology to dominant deployment in less than a decade. The U.S. has decreased its lighting energy consumption by 16% from 2001 to 2015, despite a 25% increase in lamp inventory by 25% over that period.
Residential energy use per household has fallen by roughly 16% from 2001 to 2018. Model building energy codes are expected to save $126 billion in energy costs and 13 quads of primary energy from 2010 to 2040.
Policymaking, including federal, state, and local standards and codes, has been a critical enabler of energy efficiency deployment, but progress is now at risk of stalling, the report says.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 28, 2017
Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, Standards ASCE/SEI 7-16, has been updated
The document is used for determining design loads including dead, live, soil, flood, tsunami, snow, rain, atmospheric ice, earthquake, wind, and fire.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2017
Cold-formed steel framing engineering guide for building projects released
Better sound attenuation for subfloors and exterior continuous insulation are among the matters addressed.
Codes and Standards | Jun 26, 2017
L.A.’s new ordinance requires energy and water efficiency benchmarking
Structures 20,000 sf and larger must demonstrate steps to boost efficiency.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
World Green Building Council: All buildings must be net zero by 2050 to avert 2°C rise
Building efficiency essential to tempering global climate change.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2017
Senate bill would prohibit tax money for sports stadium projects
Bipartisan legislation would prevent use of municipal bonds by pro teams.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Developer, architect hit with $10 million construction defect verdict
Case pertained to construction of condo development that was not fire code-compliant.
Codes and Standards | Jun 19, 2017
Green building advocates erect icehouses on Penn. state capitol steps to make point on codes
State’s codes have not been updated since 2009.
Codes and Standards | Jun 15, 2017
Cornell Tech unveils plans to reach Net Zero at The Bloomberg Center
Campus plans include photovoltaic arrays and geothermal ground source heat pumps.
Codes and Standards | Jun 13, 2017
Canada Green Building Council and Green Business Certification Inc. announce partnership
New joint venture will deliver enhanced services and support tools and programs throughout Canada.
Codes and Standards | Jun 8, 2017
Nail-Laminated Timber Design and Construction Guide released
New document focuses on design and construction considerations for horizontal NLT applications.