BPIE: Europe's buildings under the microscope - PU Europe

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