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Energy-efficient buildings, whether new or existing, lessen our nation's energy use.

Essential to Efficiency

Buildings consume 40 percent of all energy used in the United States and are responsible for nearly 40 percent of domestic carbon dioxide emissions. Efficient buildings reduce the speed and severity of global warming, lessen demand on the power grid, decrease stress on natural gas supplies, improve local air quality and save consumers money. Efficient features may be either embedded in new buildings or added to existing buildings through energy retrofits.

New Buildings

The design phase of a new building is the best opportunity to embed long-term energy savings into the building. Major improvements in building efficiency are often accomplished through stronger efficiency requirements in building codes. More on building codes.

Existing Buildings

With less than 1.5 percent of the U.S. building stock built new each year, improving existing buildings is critical to improving building efficiency overall. Energy retrofits, which upgrade equipment and seal the envelope of existing buildings, can save building inhabitants up to 20 percent on their utility bills. Still, participation in retrofit programs remains low. Financial support and technical assistance from all levels of government can help drive energy efficiency retrofits.

Best Buy Report: Residential Energy Management

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BBY Energy Management White Paper.pdf
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February 8, 2011

 In late 2010, Alliance Associate Best Buy released “Energy Management: A Mass Market Consumer Opportunity,” a consumer research study on how consumers view and use energy management in their everyday lives. The report aims to help people interested in the development, execution or evaluation of smart energy programs for consumer residential energy management.

In late 2010, Alliance Associate Best Buy released “Energy Management: A Mass Market Consumer Opportunity,” a consumer research study on how consumers view and use energy management in their everyday lives. The report aims to help people interested in the development, execution or evaluation of smart energy programs for consumer residential energy management.

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White House Announces Better Buildings Initiative

Date: Feb 07, 2011

President Obama just announced the Better Buildings Initiative, which would make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade.

In his Weekly Address on Feb. 5, 2011, President Barack Obama announced the Better Buildings Initiative, which would make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade. The address, which was held at Pennsylvania State University, focused on American innovation and explained that Obama's plan to dramatically improve the energy efficiency of U.S.

Proposed ‘Better Buildings Initiative’ Puts Muscle, Money Behind President Obama’s Commitment to Energy Efficiency

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Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
February 3, 2011

 Washington, D.C. – “The Alliance to Save Energy is pleased to see the Obama Administration putting financial muscle behind its energy efficiency commitment, as recently articulated in the president’s State of the Union address,” said Alliance Senior Vice President for Policy and Research Floyd DesChamps.

Statement from the Alliance to Save Energy

Washington, D.C., February 3, 2011 – “The Alliance to Save Energy is pleased to see the Obama Administration putting financial muscle behind its energy efficiency commitment, as recently articulated in the president’s State of the Union address,” said Alliance Senior Vice President for Policy and Research Floyd DesChamps. “We applaud, as well, the president’s continuing commitment to improving residential energy efficiency.

White House Fact Sheet: Better Buildings Initiative

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White House Better Bldgs Factsheet 2-2-11.pdf
white house
February 2, 2011

The White House Office of Public Engagement released this fact sheet, “President Obama’s Plan to Win the Future by Making American Businesses More Energy Efficient through the Better Buildings Initiative,” after Obama's Jan. 25, 2011, State of the Union address.

The White House Office of Public Engagement released this fact sheet, “President Obama’s Plan to Win the Future by Making American Businesses More Energy Efficient through the Better Buildings Initiative,” after Obama's Jan. 25, 2011, State of the Union address.

The fact sheet demonstrates that Obama's proposed Better Buildings Initiative puts muscle and money behind his commitment to energy efficiency, as he expressed in his State of the Union.

Americans Aren't as Efficient as They Think They Are... Find Out Why with Energy Pulse™ 2010

energy pulse
February 2, 2011

Energy Pulse™ 2010 – a telephone survey designed by Alliance Associate Shelton Group – gathered information from more than 500 American households on their energy conservation perceptions, motivations and actions.

Energy Pulse™ 2010 – a telephone survey designed by Alliance Associate Shelton Group – gathered information from more than 500 American households on their energy conservation perceptions, motivations and actions.

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Energy Efficiency Global Forum 2011: In Brussels in April

Date: Jan 31, 2011

 EE Global, an official EU Sustainable Energy Week side-event, will be held in Brussels, Belgium on April 12-14.

The Energy Efficiency Global Forum (EE Global), now in its pivotal fourth year, is a launching pad for ideas that change the energy landscape. An exclusive forum that brings together high-level officials from government, business and NGOs, EE Global is the one event in the energy efficiency industry where people with a shared passion in energy efficiency and the power to make a difference come together to affect change.

President’s Plans to Double Federal Investment in Energy Efficiency Heralded by Alliance to Save Energy

capitol dome
Author: 
Ronnie Kweller
Contact Email: 
rkweller@ase.org
Date: 
January 26, 2011

The Alliance to Save Energy heralded President Obama’s commitment to “double investment in energy efficiency” in Fiscal Year 2012 as an action that will provide an immense return to U.S. consumers and businesses alike in terms of energy and money savings as well as enhanced energy security and resource conservation. The Alliance has called for this magnitude of federal investment in our nation’s “quickest, cheapest, cleanest” energy resource for much of the last decade.

Washington, D.C., January 26, 2011 – The Alliance to Save Energy heralded President Obama’s commitment to “double investment in energy efficiency” in Fiscal Year 2012 as an action that will provide an immense return to U.S. consumers and businesses alike in terms of energy and money savings as well as enhanced energy security and resource conservation. The Alliance has called for this magnitude of federal investment in our nation’s “quickest, cheapest, cleanest” energy resource for much of the last decade.

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State of the Union 2011 Fact Sheets: overview, clean energy, R+D, manufacturing, patents

Date: Jan 26, 2011

 In his State of the Union delivered Jan. 25, 2011, President Barack Obama highlighted energy-saving measures to stimulate the economy.

In his State of the Union delivered Jan. 25, 2011, President Barack Obama highlighted energy-saving measures to stimulate the economy. Want to learn the facts? Read the full text and check out these fact sheets from the White House Office of Public Engagement, including details on energy-related programs that Obama aims to strengthen:

Boosting Energy Performance of Industrial Buildings

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alliance_bldg_report_Jan2011.pdf
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January 20, 2010
Robert Bruce Lung

 “Promoting Energy-Efficient Buildings in the Industrial Sector,” a report produced by the Alliance, investigates facility energy performance in multiple industrial subsectors and explores the reduction of energy consumption and carbon emission by industrial buildings. 

“Promoting Energy-Efficient Buildings in the Industrial Sector,” a report produced by the Alliance, investigates facility energy performance in multiple industrial subsectors and explores the reduction of energy consumption and carbon emission by industrial buildings. 

Topics: Homes and Buildings, Industry
Programs: Industrial Program
Resource Type: Report

Alliance 2010 Year-End Review

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YearEndReview_2010.pdf
Alliance to Save Energy logo
January 18, 2011
Kateri Callahan

The Alliance accomplished a great deal in the year 2010. Read about how we advanced energy efficiency — from the biggest improvement ever in the U.S. national model energy codes to a new, consumer-focused website — in the Alliance 2010 Year-End Review.

The Alliance accomplished a great deal in the year 2010. Read about how we advanced energy efficiency — from the biggest improvement ever in the U.S. national model energy codes to a new, consumer-focused website — in the "Alliance 2010 Year-End Review." Highlights of 2010 include:

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