ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN SPACE HEATING

摘要

Buildings are the largest consumers of energy in the EU and the OECD countries, ahead of transportation and industry, consuming around 40% of the total energy consumption. Private households use over 80% of the required final energy for heating rooms and water but less the 20% is used for electrical devices and lighting. There is therefore, an enormous saving potential in the building heating sector. Renovation of older buildings and more stringent building codes for new buildings is probably the most effective method of making the buildings more energy efficient. Other very important factors are to educate and involve the end user, the consumer, and make the energy selling and pricing methods important incentives to achieve responsible sustainable use of the energy source. Up to 50% savings in heat load can be expected by improving the insulation and windows of old buildings. The Government or the Community has to be in the lead of improving the existing houses by giving grants or cheap loans to support improved energy efficiency of buildings. The Government should also promote the use of environmentally friendly energy. In the near future many new houses will be built with the aim of "zero energy" consumption or close to it. These are now being tested in many OECD countries with success and can be foreseen to be a request in the near future.