 |
Technology and Program Market Data - Building Technologies
This Web page includes a summary of market data for building technologies. Data includes market penetration; industry trends; cost, price, and performance trends; policy and market drivers; as well as future outlook. The following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
2007 Energy Efficiency Trends in Residential and Commercial Buildings
The Energy Efficiency Trends in Residential and Commercial Buildings (PDF 956 KB) report outlines key drivers in building construction and use and the resulting impacts on energy consumption. It also discusses the impacts of that energy — particularly fossil-fuel-generated electricity — on carbon released to the atmosphere. Subsequent sections describe building and energy efficiency trends specific to the residential and commercial building sectors. The report ends with a section on policy efforts, such as taxes and regulation, intended to influence building energy use. Highlights include:
- There are many drivers of energy use in buildings. The number of U.S. buildings has increased since 1980, driven by growth in population and economic activity. The buildings industry — including new construction and renovation — accounts for more than 9% of GDP. Housing starts declined after strong growth.
- The sector has an effect on carbon dioxide emissions. Buildings account for 72% of U.S. electricity use and 20% of natural gas use. U.S. buildings currently contribute 9% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions
- Residential energy use is growing. Residential construction and renovation are highly fragmented markets. Total residential energy use — which has grown along with the number and size of houses and "plug loads" — has been partially offset by reduced energy intensity per home. State building energy codes are increasing energy efficiency, and energy efficiency in homes has become more prevalent in the past several years.
- Commercial buildings encompass many different building types. Overall commercial energy use has grown, and only recently has some improvement in energy intensity been noted. Commercial building labeling and certification programs are small but growing.
- The impacts of policy and regulation are being observed. State energy offices can also have a large impact on energy efficiency through standards, incentives, and efficiency programs. Utilities, working alone or with state energy offices, may also offer incentives for efficiency improvements. Utility-sponsored efficiency programs are often targeted at achieving peak load reductions.
|
|
