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Prioritizing investment in residential energy efficiency and renewable energy--A case study for the U.S. Midwest

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  • Brecha, R.J.
  • Mitchell, A.
  • Hallinan, K.
  • Kissock, K.

Abstract

Residential building energy use is an important contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and in the United States represents about 20% of total energy consumption. A number of previous macro-scale studies of residential energy consumption and energy-efficiency improvements are mainly concerned with national or international aggregate potential savings. In this paper we look into the details of how a collection of specific homes in one region might reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, with particular attention given to some practical limits to what can be achieved by upgrading the existing residential building stock. Using a simple model of residential, single-family home construction characteristics, estimates are made for the efficacy of (i) changes to behavioral patterns that do not involve building shell modifications; (ii) straightforward air-infiltration mitigation measures, and (iii) insulation measures. We derive estimates of net lifetime savings resulting from these measures, in terms of energy, carbon emissions and dollars. This study points out explicitly the importance of local and regional patterns in decision-making about what fraction of necessary regional or national emissions reduction might be accomplished through energy-efficiency measures and how much might need to concentrate more heavily on renewable or other carbon-free sources of energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Brecha, R.J. & Mitchell, A. & Hallinan, K. & Kissock, K., 2011. "Prioritizing investment in residential energy efficiency and renewable energy--A case study for the U.S. Midwest," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 2982-2992, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:39:y:2011:i:5:p:2982-2992
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Koomey, Jonathan G. & Webber, Carrie A. & Atkinson, Celina S. & Nicholls, Andrew, 2001. "Addressing energy-related challenges for the US buildings sector: results from the clean energy futures study," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(14), pages 1209-1221, November.
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    1. Viggers, Helen & Keall, Michael & Wickens, Kristin & Howden-Chapman, Philippa, 2017. "Increased house size can cancel out the effect of improved insulation on overall heating energy requirements," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 248-257.
    2. Hong, Taehoon & Koo, Choongwan & Kim, Hyunjoong & Seon Park, Hyo, 2014. "Decision support model for establishing the optimal energy retrofit strategy for existing multi-family housing complexes," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 157-169.
    3. Clune, Stephen & Morrissey, John & Moore, Trivess, 2012. "Size matters: House size and thermal efficiency as policy strategies to reduce net emissions of new developments," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 657-667.
    4. Cucchiella, Federica & D'Adamo, Idiano, 2012. "Estimation of the energetic and environmental impacts of a roof-mounted building-integrated photovoltaic systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 5245-5259.
    5. DeBlois, Justin C. & Bilec, Melissa M. & Schaefer, Laura A., 2013. "Design and zonal building energy modeling of a roof integrated solar chimney," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 241-250.
    6. Sittisak Sugsaisakon & Suthirat Kittipongvises, 2021. "Citywide Energy-Related CO 2 Emissions and Sustainability Assessment of the Development of Low-Carbon Policy in Chiang Mai, Thailand," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-14, June.
    7. Abdulrahman Alanezi & Kevin P. Hallinan & Kefan Huang, 2021. "Automated Residential Energy Audits Using a Smart WiFi Thermostat-Enabled Data Mining Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-23, April.
    8. Koo, Choongwan & Hong, Taehoon & Kim, Jimin & Kim, Hyunjoong, 2015. "An integrated multi-objective optimization model for establishing the low-carbon scenario 2020 to achieve the national carbon emissions reduction target for residential buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 410-425.
    9. Ballarini, Ilaria & Corgnati, Stefano Paolo & Corrado, Vincenzo, 2014. "Use of reference buildings to assess the energy saving potentials of the residential building stock: The experience of TABULA project," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 273-284.
    10. Galatioto, A. & Ciulla, G. & Ricciu, R., 2017. "An overview of energy retrofit actions feasibility on Italian historical buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 991-1000.

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