TOMORROW’S HOMES TODAY

Energy Efficient Homes; Building Envelope, Lighting, HVAC and Appliances, Water Heating, Energy Audits, and Soft Costs: Global Market Analysis and Forecasts

2Q 2012 (Pike Research)

"…Since the United States housing bubble burst in 2007, the residential construction and real estate markets have floundered in many OECD countries, and some have experienced a full stop in new construction…[but] the markets in China and India are experiencing unprecedented booms in residential construction…[and] energy efficiency is becoming an increasingly important issue around the world as total residential energy consumption continues to rise, creating greater demands on power infrastructure and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

"Energy efficient homes, according to Pike Research’s definition, are properties that are built to exceed the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code by 15% on a kilowatt-hour per square foot basis. Construction of residential properties that achieve such energy savings – in both new construction or in existing building stock – is a highly diverse design problem complicated by factors such as local climate, availability of materials, funding, and legislation."

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"…In order to achieve [the 15%] level of energy savings over the 2009 IECC, home builders and retrofitters must adopt a systems approach to home design and construction, integrating all aspects of home operation.

"The Pike Research report analyzes the global market opportunity for energy efficient homes, including a focus on key market segments such as building envelope improvements, lighting, HVAC and major appliances, water heating, energy audits, and soft costs associated with energy efficiency…"