Improvements
in the energy efficiency of multifamily buildings could save building owners
and residents up to $3.4 billion nationwide, according to a report released Jan.
26 byCNT Energyand theAmerican Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. “Engaging as Partners in Energy Efficiency:
Multifamily Housing and Utilities”demonstrates that energy use in
multifamily buildings can be reduced substantially, and cost-effective upgrades
can result in utility cost savings of 15% to 30% in buildings with five or more
residential units. The key to unlocking the savings, the report finds, is for
energy utilities and apartment building owners to work together more closely to
develop effective energy-efficiency policies.
“We
have billions essentially sitting untapped in our apartment buildings. We can
harness that by simply setting better policies for efficiency for apartment
buildings,” saidAnne McKibbin, CNT Energy policy
director and coauthor of the report. “Partnering with utilities is a crucial
part of the process. Building owners and other housing industry players need to
work with their utilities, engaging them directly and in local and state
regulatory proceedings.”
Energy-efficiency
upgrades improve the bottom line for multifamily building owners, help maintain
affordable housing, decrease financial risk for lending institutions and
improve occupant comfort. However, building owners often have difficulty
finding technical assistance, financing or qualified contractors to upgrade
their buildings.
“Maximizing
energy efficiency is a win-win for apartment residents, building owners, energy
utilities and our energy infrastructure,” saidDoug Bibby,
president of the National Multi Housing Council. “This report offers excellent
ideas that we hope spur further cooperation between multifamily owners and
utilities to create a more efficient partnership.”
Better
coordination between apartment building owners and energy utilities could address
that, according to the report’s analysis. The study finds that there is a vast,
largely untapped opportunity to engage utilities in providing effective energy-efficiency
programs that target the multifamily sector. The study examines utilities’ involvement
in energy efficiency efforts across the country and identifies strategies that
the multifamily building community can use to work together for improved
efficiency.
The
report identifies regions where the multifamily sector could see particularly
dramatic benefits from improvements in energy-efficiency policy - Florida, Illinois, Texas and the District
of Columbia - regions that have a substantial number
of multifamily buildings and energy policies that leave significant room for
improvement.
“Utilities
and local regulations vary dramatically from state to state and region to
region, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution,” saysEric
Mackres, ACEEE senior policy analyst. “The common thread is that
partnering with the utility is crucial. This report outlines a variety of
strategies that can help the multifamily housing sector to engage electric and
natural gas utilities in order to expand the resources available for energy
efficiency retrofits.”
This
report was made possible by support from the John D. & Catherine T.
MacArthur Foundation and Living
Cities. The full report
is available online ataceee.org/research-report/a122.
Those interested in learning more are invited to participate in a webinar on
Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. CST. For details, go towww.cntenergy.org/calendaror call 773/269-4037.
Source:
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient
Economy
