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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Existing building efficiency research, 1987-1988: Research update

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6875586
This Research Update presents the status of the Existing Building Efficiency Research Program of the Office of Buildings and Community Systems of the US Department of Energy for the period 1987-1988. This program covers research on energy efficiency improvements for the residential and commercial buildings in this country. Improving energy efficiency of existing buildings through retrofit measures offers the largest potential for energy savings in the next 10 to 15 years in the United States. The widespread use of retrofits for residential buildings could save 2.6 quadrillion Btu (quads) per year and reduce annual energy costs by $17 billion. Full penetration of energy retrofits into the commercial building stock, for which initial costs are paid back by energy savings in three years or less, could save 2.5 to 3.5 quads per year and $15 to $20 billion per year. The program is working to overcome the technical, financial, and behavioral barriers to the use of building energy retrofits. The current approach is to develop research results and predictive tools that improve confidence in expected savings and allow appropriate efficiency modifications to be selected and installed. Future plans are to assess what the long-term picture for advancing energy technologies will be and what approaches will have to be taken to best meet the needs associated with continuing to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings. 61 refs., 16 figs., 2 tabs.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6875586
Report Number(s):
ORNL/CON-268; ON: DE89001307
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English