News

After a short delay in implementation by the California Energy Commission, California’s new energy use disclosure requirements will commence on July 1, 2013, for all non-residential buildings with a total gross floor area measuring more than 50,000 square feet. 

A new energy rating scheme launched today could help lift energy efficiency in New Zealand commercial buildings by as much as 25 percent, says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

Speaking at the launch of NABERSNZ, Mr Bridges said the voluntary rating system aims to transform the way office buildings use energy.

"Commercial buildings use 21 percent of New Zealand’s electricity, costing business $800 million every year. On average, building energy performance could be improved by 20-25 percent," says Mr Bridges.

Although renovation rates in Europe are low – at around 1% of total building stock – anecdotal evidence appears to suggest a pick-up in the energy efficient housing market.

“The pressure we are seeing from regulation on real estate markets is now affecting the financial model that we’re using,” she told EurActiv.

“Investors sense and feel that the regulations and requests on standards for buildings refurbishment, rebuilding and upkeep will impact the long-term value of their real estate."

Last year, Philadelphia joined a growing number of cities — including New York, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, and Washington — that have adopted laws requiring commercial building owners to gather and report data on energy use in their buildings. Though Philadelphia is still developing final regulations for what is known as the Energy Benchmarking Law, the law applies to any building with 50,000 square feet of interior, commercial-use space.