Rational legislation against wastefulness
The massive amount of energy which is wasted year after year by our housing stock could be spectacularly reduced by a few rational legislative amendments, as well as the correct use of energy performance certification and other European methods. How? As well as introducing best examples, the Energiaklub's most recent analysis also contains concrete recommendations.
As gas price rises, more and more home-owners and municipalities are taking the first steps along the (obstacle-laden) energy efficiency path. Stakes are high, given that the family purse could save tens of thousands of forints each year, and in the case of municipalities, we are talking tens of millions of forints' savings, not to mention the positive environmental benefits from the reduction of destructive CO2 emissions from power stations.
This process is also helped by EU legislation and programmes – hence, in principle, the Hungarian regulations which have come about as a result of these also help change Hungarian consumers' wasteful energy habits. In principle only, as the energy certificate - already compulsory for a year now – still represents a burden for many: not only does it not achieve its original purpose, it even passes extra costs onto the obliged party. Not to mention that in the case of schools and other municipality premises with massive savings potential, regulatory inconsistencies can also be found.
The Energiaklub's staff, working on municipal and household energy efficiency programmes, have now prepared a short analysis, providing help in creating more rational regulation. Besides providing a critical analysis of the present legislation governing the field, the document also introduces an example of how French and English municipalities used the opportunities offered by the EU Display programme.
Useful references are also included alongside practical information and recommendations in this much-needed document, which is primarily intended for decision-makers. Every line of the analysis – in itself an exemplary initiative - is pervaded by the approach showing the direction for the creation of energy efficient households and municipalities.
The analysis, entitled "Home Energy Certificate, Display, Lakcímke" can be found at the following link.
Further information: Zsuzsanna Király, household energy consumption, project manager, kiraly@energiaklub.hu, Tel: (36 1) 411-35-25
* Presently only compulsory in the case of new buildings.
April 7, 2010.
