Quantifying Returns From Investments
Our nation’s multifamily buildings contain billions of dollars of energy savings potential.
A 2009 study by McKinsey and Company estimated that the capital required to unlock energy efficiency opportunities in low-income residential buildings between 2009 and 2020 is approximately $46 billion, and would provide a present value of $80 billion in savings. Almost a quarter of this energy efficiency potential is in multifamily buildings.
At only 20% efficiency, the environmental benefits of high efficiency certified homes are equal to the equivalent of:
• Eliminating the emissions from 85 vehicles;
• Saving 500,000 lbs of coal;
• Planting 140 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 1,000,000 pounds of CO2 per year.
Whereas, we have tapped into the zero net energy certified home market allowing for four times the efficiency.
Zero net energy (ZNE) has unprecedented potential to transform the way buildings use energy. This ultra-efficiency system is one that owners can define, design teams can reach for and occupants desire. The ZNE goal is realistic given current building technologies and design approaches.
ZNE commercial buildings use no more energy over the course of the year than they produce from on-site renewable sources. Additionally, zero net energy-capable buildings achieve energy performance similar to non ZNE's buildings.