Different approaches , different country needs

Different countries have different sensibilities to this problem and had adopted different strategies to reduce domestic energy waste. We tried to take a look at the different laws in Asia, Europe and the US. The information were not always easy accessible. Also, it was not easy to compare the data that we found. However we discovered that in different ways every country is trying to make a difference. The major difference that we observed is the mandatory or voluntary nature of the program/strategy being applied in different countries.

European Union

The European Community has developed energy standards for both new and old houses. It has been estimated that new buildings consume 3 to 5 liters of heating oil per square meter per year, while older buildings consume about 25 liters and sometime reach up to 60 liters. Currently, about 35% of the EU's buildings are over 50 years old ^[6].

The 2010 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the 2012 Energy Efficiency Directive are the EU's main legislation on this topic ^[6]. Under this directive:

• Each house must have an energy performance certificate based on the energy consumption. This is a one-letter label assigned to the house by a professional (i.e. energetic engineer, or architect) on the basis of the consumption of energy and waste of heating and cooling. Therefore, the type of heating systems, the windows, the isolation of the roof, as well as the territory where the house is located, they all play a role.
• Performance Energy labels must be included in each rental or sale transaction.
• All new buildings must be nearly zero-energy buildings by the end of 2020 (public buildings by the end of 2018).
• Each country must set minimum energy requirements for new and remodeled buildings.

House energetic class standards in Trentino Alto AdigeDifferent parameters are needed to reach a specific class in different countries and regions according to the climate conditions.

To achieve this goal many European countries are financing renovations to help people meeting these goals. For example, in Italy 65% of the expenses for the energetic requalification of your house can be deducted from your taxes (for the fiscal years 2012-2015). France initiated the Grenelle Environnement building plan that consists of an "eco-loan interest-free" dedicated to improve energy and thermal efficiency of buildings. By 2020, this plan should allow investments of EUR 120 billion ^[7].

In the US the Department of Energy (DOE)^[8] has developed a Building Energy Code Program called International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). There are different editions of this code released in 2009, 2012, and 2015. These codes are applied differently to office residential and commercial buildings. For the most part the actions suggested in the codes apply to office buildings and newly built houses. Each state has the faculty to choose to adopt the code. In practice, when building a new house certain standards of energy consumption/waste must adopted by the constructor.

IECC codes in different states Adoption of IECC codes in the 50 American states at the residential level. Figure taken from 8

For example, the states of Ohio and Texas adopted the 2009 IECC (or equivalent), while California updated to the 2012 IECC. This code corresponds to the specific parameters that are to be used when new buildings are constructed (the IECC does not apply on the already existing houses).

Many American states are focusing on the impact that office buildings have, starting by updating all the heating/cooling systems and reducing the energy waste in Federal Buildings. The Obama admistration in 2011 set the goal of reducing energy of commercial buildings by 20% in 2020 ^[9].

The US does not have a uniformed rating system for buildings based on efficiency or energy consumption. However, there are attempts to create similar programs. For example, the Home Energy Rating System, the Energy Star Program, National Green Building Standard and other programs. All these programs are applied locally and on a voluntary basis [10]. Tax incentives, energy efficient mortgages are available in different states. However the lack of harmony between strategies is a major problem.

In Asia the scenario is more complicated. In many states, the main goal is to bring more electricity to homes, rather than reduce consumption. However, in more urbanized countries, there are attempts to develop a certification system. We had difficulties in drawing a picture of Asia, because of the diversity of strategy in different states. As an example, we looked a China, where the focus has been placed on new buildings, given the fact that there is a very high rate of construction. The Chinese government is promoting a voluntary program similar to Energy Star in the US for the label of house as well as appliances ^[9].

Household appliacnes: there's a lot out there

In Europe many everyday products such as washing machines, refrigerators and other appliances need to carry energy labels and have been designed to meet minimum energy efficiency standards, identified by a letter code. Some of the European countries are trying to promote the substitution of old appliances with new high efficiency ones. For example, in Italy since the tax year 2012 for every house been refurbished, you can deduct 50% of the cost of the appliances as long as they meet the A+ standard.

In Japan, there is a similar approach being developed, that is not yet mandatory (Energy Saving Labelling program for appliances and lighting) ^[11].

In the US the Environmental Protection Agency has developed a voluntary program named Energy Star to label kitchen appliances, computers, and materials used to build homes that save more energy than standard models ^[12]. This program is now being used also in Europe.

Energy labels of appliances in different countriesIllustration of some labels used in Europe , America and Asia.