Energy efficient homes

Originally posted 10/20/06 on PersonPlaceorThing.blogspot.com
Elizabeth Weir of Efficiency NB (http://www.efficiencynb.ca/) was on CBC today (around 12:30) discussing energy conservation and the role of homeowners.

It is vital for new home builders to build homes that make efficient use of heating resources as well as space. People need to see “what’s in it for them” to embrace change. Regulations should encourage builders to think long term in designing houses. Further, existing homeowners need to be made aware of the potential saving to their energy needs that can result from retrofitting a home.

The “what’s in it for them” for society as a whole is different than for individuals. Public projects, including public/non-profit housing and government buildings should be made efficient not just for the sake of reduced future costs, but because it will reduce our national energy demands.

Public projects can be examples of how to make efficiency work, by turning the “what’s in it for them” into “what’s in it for all of us.”