[en] Without reinforced energy saving policies, residential consumption of electricity will increase sharply over the next 20 years, in particular, as a result of expected growth in the specific uses of electricity. The main problem is not a lack of energy-efficient technologies, which do indeed exist for electrical appliances, but one of slow diffusion of existing technologies due to the weakness of the price signal and the purchasing behaviour of consumers. In association with energy labelling, minimum energy performance standards have proved to be very effective in stimulating technological progress and organising market transformation. But standards also suffer from long and often difficult implementation periods because of the resistance of the industrial sector. For manufacturers, similar results could be obtained more easily and more rapidly with voluntary agreements because they introduce flexibility margins in the achievement of commitments. This paper analyses the specific advantages of voluntary agreements for improving energy efficiency in the domestic appliances sector. We conclude that voluntary agreements may be an effective instrument for market transformation in certain conditions, but the alternative of regulatory measures must remain a credible, realistic threat if voluntary agreements are to have a really significant impact on performance improvement

[en] We analyse optimal environmental policies in a market that is vertically differentiated in terms of the energy efficiency of products. Considering energy taxes, subsidies to firms for investment in more eco-friendly products, and product standards, we are particularly interested in how distributional goals in addition to environmental goals shape the choice of policy instruments. We find that an industry-friendly government levies an energy tax to supplement a lax product standard, but shies away from subsidies to firms. By contrast, a consumer-friendly government relies heavily on a strict product standard and additionally implements a moderate subsidy to firms, but avoids energy taxes. - Highlights: ► We analyse how distributional goals shape environmental policy. ► Firms invest in the energy efficiency of their products and compete in prices. ► An industry-friendly government implements an energy tax and a lax product standard. ► A consumer-friendly government chooses a subsidy to firms instead of an energy tax. ► A consumer-friendly government implements a strict energy efficiency standard

[en] The New American Home(reg_sign) is an annual showcase project designed by committee and co-sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders' National Council of the Housing Industry, BUILDERS Magazine, and Ladies Home Journal. Hedgewood Properties teamed with Building America's IBACOS Consortium and Southface Energy Institute to build a house with a Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) level of 90

[en] Energy-efficiency standards and labels can be the most effective long-term energy-efficiency policy any government can implement. This paper describes: (1) the benefits that can be obtained through this policy, (2) which countries are implementing standards and labels and for which products, (3) the processes they are using at each step along the way including the reasons why each step must be done carefully and thoroughly, and (4) the relationship of standard-setting and labeling to other energy-efficiency policies

[en] Under the auspices of the Energy Efficiency Act, the Government of Canada is proposing an amendment to the Energy Efficiency Regulations for integral horsepower electric motors. The amendment specified revisions to: the definition of electric motor, the reporting requirements of dealers, and the minimum energy-efficiency standards to 1 to 200 horsepower electric motors relative to the regulations which came into effect on February 3, 1995. This paper addresses the analysis of the revisions to the minimum energy-efficiency standards proposed in the amendment

[en] We explore who are the winners and losers when an energy efficiency standard is introduced (ESS). Whilst there are potentially significant aggregate gains to Arizona from the introduction of an EES, if the standard is aggressive it may lead to non-participants suffering. Potential solutions to the winner/loser conundrum are also explored.

[en] Energy efficiency certificates, dubbed 'white certificates', have been recently implemented in the United Kingdom and will soon start in Italy and France. Energy suppliers have to fund a given quantity of energy efficiency measures, or to buy 'white certificates' from other suppliers who exceed their target. We develop a partial equilibrium model to compare white certificates to other policy instruments for energy efficiency, i.e., taxes and standards. Our conclusions are: First, if white certificates are chosen, each supplier's target should be set as a percentage of the energy they sell rather than in absolute terms. Indeed the latter solution decreases sharply energy suppliers' profit since they cannot pass the cost of certificate generation on to consumers. Such a system thus risks generating a fierce opposition from these industries. Furthermore, setting individual targets independently of the evolution of market shares seems unfair. At last, this system risks creating a large rebound effect, i.e., a large increase in energy services consumption. Second, compared to taxes and standards, white certificates (with targets in percentage of energy sold) seem particularly interesting to reach a certain level of energy savings while limiting distributional effects, thus to limit oppositions to its implementation. Furthermore, they generate less rebound effect than standards and seem more able than taxes to mobilise a part of the no regret potential. However if targets are too weak there is a real risk that white certificates systems fund mostly business-as-usual energy efficiency activities, thus having little impact while delaying the implementation of other policy instruments

[en] There are many papers that have been published on energy efficiency standards and labels. However, a very limited number of articles on the subject have discussed the transformation of appliance energy efficiency in the market after the programs are implemented. This paper is an attempt to investigate the market transformation due to implementation of minimum energy efficiency standards and energy labels. Even though the paper only investigates room air conditioners as a case study, the method is also applicable for predicting market transformation for other household electrical appliances

[en] In the majority of developed countries, minimal standards for energy efficiency are an indispensable part of national energy policies, aiming to reduce the consumption of energy and emissions of waste. The successful integration of the Republic of Croatia into the European Union will certainly be influenced by accepting of the European norms and energy efficiency standards. The Croatian Parliament has billed a set of five acts that represent reform laws for the energy sector. As the EU membership is Croatian national objective, those acts are simultaneously adjusting Croatian legislation to European regulatory acts for that area. The Energy law provides energy efficiency labeling for producers and retailers. The paper describes, beside the EU directives for energy efficiency labeling of products, the basic approach of the Republic of Croatia to the definition of implementation regulations for labeling. Regarded are also basics of concept and practical experience of ''Energy Star'' initiative in the USA, the objective of which is to, being a support on local and federal level, facilitate the decision-making for the purchase of energy efficient products and services.(author)

[en] Results of a World Energy Council study on ''energy efficiency performance'' are interpreted in this article, and the impact of energy prices are analysed. Countries in Europe, North America, South-East Asia, as well as Japan, Brazil, Chile and Poland provided a set of indicators dealing with energy efficiency, such as energy consumption per Gross Domestic Product. This article aims to develop the study further by evaluating the energy conservation policies implemented in the reviewed countries. (UK)