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How much can buildings be made energy efficient?
A study in 1980 of an average Canadian house showed that 64% of the total energy was used for space heating, 9% for hot water, and 27% for appliances and lights. A prototype high efficiency house used only 7% as much energy for space heating as the average house. The same studies was made in Sweden in the middle of the 60's and show more or less identical results. With optimum savings on the space heating, the fossil fuel consumption for the house can be 7% for space heating, 2% of water (with 80% of the water provided by passive solar) and 15% for appliances and light, all from 1980 level. The over all consumption in a new Canadian house could be 24% of 1980 level. For older constructions it can be reasonable to make improvements to put them at a consumption of 35% of 1980 level. Office buildings show similar relationships, but higher consumption. Offices can in many cases be improved more and easier than resident housing, with very large reductions on peak demand.
My Spanish house, that was renovated 1992 with new equipment and bought by me 1995, has slowly changed. I am for year 2001 on 60% of 1995 consumption. This with all investments paid by savings. The estimate for 2002 is 35% of 1995 level, with installation of new boiler and solar panels for hot water. The estimate is that I with economical actions can achieve 25% of 1995 level and with greatly improved comfort. This will upgrade my house to more or less conform with the Swedish standard and all improvments paid by 2004.
Today, year 2001, the Swedish houses consumes much less than their Canadian identical. The Californian building consumes more than Swedish, which is surprising, considering the difference in climate. It is generally estimated by the research community that Sweden is 8-10 years ahead of Canada/US and up to 20 years ahead of countries like Spain. This regarding general education, implementation of new Building Codes and known energy saving technologies.
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BIOFUELS ASIA
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2008 - 27th-28th March 2008,
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Energy Savings in
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Energy Savings in
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"Disturbed children"
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