Danfoss President's Strategy for Building Energy Efficiency

Resource Published: April 2011

At a time when concerns for energy are on the rise, Robert Wilkins, president of Alliance Associate Danfoss North America, underscores the urgency for finding solutions to limited fossil fuel supplies and ever-increasing energy prices. In a recent publication, Wilkins cautions that if left unchecked, the demand for energy will continue to grow – as much as 45% by 2030.

 

Wilkins asserts that the search for a current solution requires a closer look at efficiency levels of buildings today, a sector which represents 40% of U.S. energy consumption. According to Wilkins, a systematic approach to improving energy efficiency in our existing and future building stock has the potential to save significant amounts of energy.

 

Wilkins’s approach considers how building components and systems can be integrated to work together to achieve maximum energy results and, ultimately, net-zero energy building design. For new construction, the energy savings potential lies in adopting stronger building codes as well as building energy rating systems. Whereas the standards for new construction will have a significant impact, upgrading existing buildings represents the greatest prospect for saving energy in the near term.

 

To address the vast numbers of  inefficient building systems still in service, Wilkins urges policy makers to create financial incentives and remove disincentives, which in turn encourages building owners to invest in energy efficiency. He claims market driven innovations will continue to move industry to a more energy efficient future, but regulatory government support is needed to achieve greater strides toward a nation with high-performance buildings and a more energy-independent and financially secure future.