Abstract
In this paper, a review of the adoption status of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies is presented, specific to US residential buildings. Various technologies are reviewed and categorized as either their relative “higher adoption” or “lower adoption” rates within the US housing stock. More importantly, the review analysis investigates the main factors associated with their high or low adoption rates. Specifically, the paper provides a background of the historical progression of energy efficiency programs as well as sustainability certifications and standards for buildings. The review then analyzes specific building energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies applied to US residential buildings and their adoption rates. The review analysis indicates that building technologies are more frequently adopted for multiple reasons including requirements by codes and standards, incentives through green certifications, low implementation costs, and acceptance and popularity by the public. In contrast, technologies with low adoption rates have higher payback periods, are not required or highly incentivized through codes and certifications, have limited promotion about their benefits, or are not compatible with existing systems. By determining the reasons for the high and low adoption rates, mitigation options can be identified to increase the application of sustainable energy technologies in designing and retrofitting buildings.
Highlights
The United States (US) building sector is responsible for 40% of the national energy demand and 40% of national CO2 emissions, according to the US Energy Information
The main goal of the review analysis presented in this paper is to identify the major reasons for the slow adoption in the US residential building sector of available energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies
The review analysis conducted for this study relies solely on studies and statistics reported for a specific set of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies available for US residential buildings
Summary
The United States (US) building sector is responsible for 40% of the national energy demand and 40% of national CO2 emissions, according to the US Energy Information. There have been specific studies carried out for Brazil, Ireland, and Nigeria [6–8] These studies concluded that adoption rates of sustainable technologies depend on several factors including but not limited to awareness, social norms, education, soil conditions, capital cost, labor costs, and policy. Adoption rates ofresult sustainable energyadoption technologies for the US residential building sector. The main goal of the review analysis presented in this paper is to identify the major reasons for the slow adoption in the US residential building sector of available energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
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