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Early efforts to bring change to the building sector generally focused on single issues such as energy efficiency and conservation of natural resources. Green Building now integrates a wide range of building design, construction, and operation and maintenance practices to provide healthier living and working environments and minimize environmental impacts. This report examines the concepts of green building and energy efficiency in both commercial and residential buildings.

Crucial to the success of green building has been the application of integrated design principles - a whole-building-systems approach, which brings together the key stakeholders and design professionals as a core team to work collaboratively from the early planning stages through to the building’s occupation.

This report outlines the elements that can be incorporated into an energy efficient building design, details financial considerations and industry trends, examines energy efficiency building in Europe, and provides case studies of successful design and installations.

Efficient energy use means simply using less energy to provide the same level of service. An example would be insulating a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve the same temperature. Another example is installing fluorescent lights and/or skylights instead of incandescent lights to attain the same level of illumination. Efficient energy use is achieved primarily by means of a more efficient technology or process rather than by changes in individual behavior.

A building’s location and surroundings play a key role in regulating its temperature and illumination. For example, trees, landscaping, and hills can provide shade and block wind. In cooler climates, designing buildings with an east-west orientation to increase the number of south-facing windows minimizes energy use, by maximizing passive solar heating. Tight building design, including energy-efficient windows, well-sealed doors, and additional thermal insulation of walls, basement slabs, and foundations can reduce heat loss by 25 to 50%.

Download this report now to reduce your building's energy consumption!

Pages: 206
Published: February 2016
Publisher: Red Mountain Insights
ISBN: 978-1-62484-029-6

Executive Summary 8
What is Energy Efficiency? 10
Overview 10
Energy Efficient Appliances 12
Energy Efficient Industries 13
Energy Efficient Vehicles 13
Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Energy 14
Rebound Effect and Energy Efficiency 16
Introduction to Energy Efficient Buildings 18
Overview 18
Features of a Green Building 19
How widespread is the Concept of Green Buildings 20
Negative Environmental Impacts of Current Building Practices 21
Benefits of Green Building 23
Some Green Building Rating Systems 25
GHG Emissions and Green Buildings 27
AIA 2030 Challenge 28
Elements of an Energy Efficient Building 29
Overview 29
Basic Principles of an Energy Efficient Building 29
Market Developments 31
Looking at the Thermal Envelope 32
Wall and Roof Assemblies 32
Insulation 33
Windows 35
Weatherstripping and Caulking 36
Controlled Ventilation 38
Heating and Cooling Systems 39
Looking at Energy-Efficient Appliances 40
Advantages and Disadvantages of Energy Efficient Buildings 42
Building and Buying an Energy Efficient Home 43
Energy Flows in a Building 45
Standards of Eco Living 47
Passive House Concept 47
Minergie House Concept 47
Zero Energy House Concept 48
Energy Plus House Concept 48
Design Components 49
Financial Considerations of EEBs 51
Overview 51
Significance of Energy Cost 52
Cost of Achieving Energy Efficiency 53
Major Trends 56
Patterns in Building Stock 56
Consumer and Demographic Trends 57
Trends in Energy Demand in the built Environment and Supply 57
Government Trends 58
Scarcity of Resources 59
Industrial/Commercial Trends 59
Forces Driving EEBs 61
Market Forces 61
Government Regulations and Programs 62
Challenges to Energy Efficient Buildings 65
Challenges to Economic Pricing of Energy 65
Factors such as Environment, Energy Security, Social Policy and Employment 65
Technical Skills 66
Doubts About Energy Consumption and Conservation 67
Lack of Confidence in New Technologies 67
Lack of Knowledge on Expenditure and Benefit 68
Availability of Capital 69
Separate Capital and Operating Budgets 69
Split Incentives 70
Risks and Uncertainties 70
Lack of Coordination and Consistency in Government Policies 71
Lack of Research Investments 71
Technological Challenges 71
Institutional Challenges 72
Overall Energy Consumption by Buildings 74
Energy Use in Buildings 80
Requirement of a Supportive Regulative Framework 83
Energy Policy Act of 2005 and Energy Efficient Buildings 88
Overview 88
Qualification Factors 88
Tax Deduction 89
Certification Requirements 89
Calculating of Design Methods and Technologies 89
Determining Building Compliance 91
Interim Rules for Lighting Projects 91
Overview of the Program 92
Opportunities for Energy and Cost Savings 92
Zero Energy Goals 94
Tax Incentives for Energy Efficiency 95
Commercial Buildings 95
Residential Buildings 96
Buildings Efficiency and Economic Recovery 97
Building America Program 99
Systems Engineering Approach 100
Methodology 102
Results 103
Benefits for the Buyer & Homeowners 103
Benefits for Buyers 103
Benefits for the Homeowners 104
Benefits for the Country 105
Energy Star® Program 106
Obama’s New Energy Efficiency Efforts 108
Energy Efficient Buildings in Europe 113
Energy in the EU 113
Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Europe 116
Energy Efficiency in EU 116
Overview 117
Policy Developments 117
Regulations in Relation to Buildings 119
Energy Performance of Buildings. 120
Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings 122
Directive 2004/8/EC on the Promotion of Cogeneration 127
Program for EU Member States related to Buildings 128
Energy Services to Buildings 128
Development of the EU Framework 130
Improving Energy Efficiency of Buildings in EU Member States 131
Energy Efficiency Regulations 132
Existing National Programs 132
Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings 137
Major Players 138
Governments 139
The European Union 140
International Energy Agency 141
European Energy Charter 143
European Committee for Standardization 143
Energie-Cités 143
European Network of Buildings Research Institutes 144
European Investment Bank 145
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 146
Future 146
Country Analysis 148
China 148
Hong Kong 150
India 153
Japan 154
Malaysia 156
Philippines 157
Singapore 159
South Korea 160
Taiwan 162
Thailand 164
Case Studies 167
Masdar City, Dubai 167
Energy-Efficient Building Designing of the Louisiana Capitol Complex 170
Energy Efficient Building Programs in Hawaii 173
Enermodal Engineering’s Building 175
Major Players 178

Actelios
Cemex
DuPont
EDF
Enermodal Engineering
Honeywell
Lafarge
Philips
TEPCO

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