US to invest in buildings’ energy efficiency

US President Joe Biden’s administration has announced a major programme aimed at making buildings energy efficient, including new  “performance standards” for federal buildings, arguing that “this administration believes in leading by example.”

These standards will “establish metrics, targets, and tracking methods to reach federal carbonemissions goals.” Meanwhile, the administration is also creating new Energy Star rating standards for heat pumps, central air conditioners, and electric water heaters. Energy Star standards are government-backed indicators of energy efficiency for consumer products.

There is an additional investment of $30m in workforce development and training to help fund job creation in skills such as constructing, upgrading and electrifying buildings.

The Energy Department will also put $10m toward accelerating adoption of heat pump technology. Energy secretary, Jennifer Granholm said: “These systems use electricity to strategically transfer heat to make spaces cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. They are a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative to gas-powered furnaces and standard air conditioners.”

President Biden has previously expressed support for making buildings more energy efficient, calling for investing $213bn in retrofitting more than 2m homes in his infrastructure plan.