BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe
BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe
BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe
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Lack of advice/information<br />
Even with all <strong>the</strong> years of experience and <strong>the</strong> campaigns <strong>under</strong>taken by government, industry and civil<br />
society, awareness of cost-effective energy saving opportunities is still low. The issue is exacerbated in this<br />
period of rapidly advancing technological development, where it can be difficult even for professionals to<br />
keep abreast of prevailing best practice. Dissemination techniques need to keep pace with <strong>the</strong> evolution<br />
of consumer needs and media. The market place is complex, and energy efficiency investments have<br />
to compete effectively. Due to miscommunication issues, in some cases consumers are not aware of or<br />
do not fully comprehend <strong>the</strong> effectiveness of specific technologies. This may lead to scepticism over<br />
implementing a technology especially if two or more professionals give supposedly conflicting advice<br />
as to <strong>the</strong> best way to renovate. This can be overcome, as noted by <strong>the</strong> Slovenian response, through<br />
demonstrations and information campaigns. Denmark raises an important point that all too often <strong>the</strong><br />
focus is on individual products and not on entire end-to-end, holistic solutions.<br />
Awareness of energy savings potential<br />
While <strong>the</strong>re is a general appreciation that energy saving is a “good thing”, <strong>the</strong>re remains a lack of<br />
<strong>under</strong>standing of <strong>the</strong> energy, cost and carbon savings from different measures. Householders may, for<br />
example feel <strong>the</strong>y are helping <strong>the</strong> planet by installing CFLs, without realising that far greater savings<br />
could be achieved from fabric insulation or boiler upgrades. The notion (at <strong>the</strong> household level) that<br />
fitting CFLs helps save <strong>the</strong> planet may also have been perpetuated by energy supply companies which<br />
have in <strong>the</strong> past provided free or low cost CFLs – perhaps focusing less on prioritising <strong>the</strong> more effective<br />
but also more costly measures like fitting <strong>the</strong>rmal insulation.<br />
Skills & knowledge related to building professionals<br />
Skill shortages exist in both <strong>the</strong> contractor market responsible for effective installation of energy saving<br />
measures, as well as in professional services, with few architects and designers familiar with how to<br />
specify a low energy renovation. Evidence from Norway indicates that, while <strong>the</strong>re is a lack of knowledge<br />
and competence, <strong>the</strong>re is also lack of focus on energy efficiency among building professionals. 25 Estonia,<br />
France and Ireland, amongst o<strong>the</strong>rs, noted that <strong>the</strong> limited know-how of contractors regarding energy<br />
efficiency led to unsatisfactory retrofits.<br />
25<br />
<strong>BPIE</strong> database<br />
<strong>Europe</strong>’s <strong>buildings</strong> <strong>under</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>microscope</strong> | 59