The actual and potential impact of residential electrical equipment energy efficiency policies in the OECD

Panel: Panel 2. Comfort and energy use in buildings

Authors:
Benoit Lebot, International Energy Agency
Paul Waide, PW Consulting

Abstract

Electrical appliances are the fastest growing energy users, after automobiles. Cost-effective technology exists that could improve the energy efficiency of appliances by more than a third in ten years. The greenhouse gasses emitted by appliances in OECD Member countries alone could be slashed by the equivalent of 344 million tonnes of CO2 by 2010 with the adoption of least life-cycle cost appliance policies. In OECD Europe, the CO2 reduction is equivalent to a third of the required reductions under the Kyoto Protocol and achieved at a net economic benefits of around 196 Euro/tonnes of CO2 abated. By 2030, these savings would amount to a staggering 1 250 TWh/year of electricity and 655 Mt/year of CO2 in OECD.

The paper summarises the finding of an OECD-wide study on the potential energy savings and carbon reductions to be achieved through technical improvements to appliances in the residential sector. A detailed stock model allows the analysis of past trends, present situation, and probable trends in the residential electricity demand in OECD countries. The model addresses each individual end-use. Each saving potential is related to a specific combination of policy options that most likely can stimulate greater manufacture and use of energy efficient appliances. The paper suggests ways to strengthen existing appliance-efficiency programmes, and demonstrates how international collaboration can enhance those programmes.