Improving the energy efficiency of multifamily buildings can help states reduce consumers’ energy costs, strengthen electricity system reliability and lower emissions, according to a report released today by the National Governors Association (NGA).
Historically, states have focused their efforts to increase energy efficiency in residential housing on single-family homes. The emergence of new technologies and program approaches now offers increased opportunities to focus on multifamily buildings, or residential buildings with five or more units. Studies indicate that one-third of the U.S. population lives in multifamily buildings, most of which were built before the adoption of statewide building codes that set standards for energy efficiency in residential buildings. Cost-effective investments in energy efficiency in the multifamily housing sector could reduce consumers’ annual utility bills by almost $3.4 billion, an estimate based on 2010 energy prices.
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