Other countries etc

I must admit that although I have learned alot today with regards to what other countries are doing to reduce energy wastage in houses I have also been increasingly frustrated (sorry to repeat myself) with the news that training providers took advantage in Australia and the fact that the Americans have said that they need to work out how to produce a certificate for the energy efficency of buildings (the UK have had then for over 3 years). It has just emphasised to me how great the need is for everyone to work together on this issue!

I have also looked at what other countries are doing - and I was really impressed with what I have found.

Sweden:

Energy advice -

In all municipalities in Sweden you'll find energy and climate advisors. They will answer your questions free of charge on heating systems, district heating, biofuels, energy costs, government grants in the field of energy and a great deal more.
Find the energy and climate advisor in your municipality (in swedish).

Electricity bills and power cuts

Do you have thoughts on electricity bills and network charges? Or on how you can manage during a power cut and how you can prepare yourself for a power cut.

That is fantastic - energy and climate advisors who answer questions free of charge in the areas of grants etc - with one place in which to find them. The website http://www.energimyndigheten.se/en/Energy-efficiency/Household/ has various pages on how you can save money - depending on your lifestyle, travelling, living in an apartment and how to save energy when you are buying a house. All of the language used is easy to understand and is clear.

Germany:

In 2007 Germany set itself a target of being the world leader when it comes to energy efficency.

"The new energy concept was made public in September by the Federal Government, lead by Chancellor Angela Merkel, and offers a compass for cutting emissions by 80% compared to 1990 base level by 2050. An eighty per cent emissions cut looks like a great vision. So, how does Germany plan to achieve the 80% emissions cut? There are eight pillars holding the energy and climate construct:  1) renewables will make up 80% of Germany’s electricity generation by 2050, 2) energy efficiency will be drastically improved, 3)  existing nuclear power stations will stay on the grid for up to 25 more years, 4) smart grids will be introduced to allow for more efficiency between demand and supply, 5) the housing sector will be restructured towards more efficiency, 6) electric vehicles will be substantially subsidised, 7) more funding will be allocated to research and development and 8) Germany will spend effort and money to harmonize the European electricity grid to allow a better transfer between countries."

Very hopeful, I think the above is definately one of those lets wait and see what happens. It would be brilliant if it was achieved.

France:

New homes have to comply with them, and existing owners can get financial support to achieve them, but just what are the energy efficiency standards in France?In trying to come to grips with the regulations you will also have to learn some rather strange hieroglyphics – RT2005, BBC, HQE, THQE – so we thought a quick tour of the different labels and the basic standards set by each of them might be useful to you.The RT2005 is the minimum energy efficiency standard for new dwellings, replacing an earlier standard called the RT2000.
The full description is Réglementation Thermique 2005, and applies to all those new buildings where the planning application was submitted after 1st September 2006.
In order to obtain the HPE standard your energy consumption needs must be at least 10% lower than those set out in the RT2005.
The standard encompasses a consideration of the global performance of the dwelling through the space heating, hot water, air conditioning, ventilation and lighting systems.
Within the HPE standard there is also HPE Energies Renouvelables (HPE EnR) 2005, in which at least 50% of the heating must be from renewable energy.
Existing older homes build between 1st January 1948 and 1st Jan 1975 are also able to obtain the standard Haute Performance Energétique Rénovation ( HPE rénovation 2009).
The global energy standard set for such dwellings is a slightly more generous than for new dwellings, at 150 50 kWh/m2 per year, subject to location and altitude.
Bizarrely, there seems to be no energy standard for dwellings built prior to this date, and why 1948 has been chosen as the cut off point, is probably only known by the technocrat who drafted the legislation.Grants and Tax Breaks for Energy Conservation
There are grants, interest free mortgages and tax breaks available for measures of energy conservation, which you can read about in our guide to Home Energy Conservation in France.
The rules do not always require that a specific level of energy performance is achieved, notably with some of the tax credits that are available, although in all cases there are rules on the standard of performance of the materials and equipment to be used.
In other cases, you will generally be required to have an energy performance audit undertaken, with an assessment of the anticipated benefits of the work.3.1. Tax Credits in France for Home Energy Conservation
A French tax credit is available for heating and energy saving works to your French home.
A 'tax credit' needs to be distinguished from 'tax relief'. While the latter offers only a reduction in the amount of income tax payable, a tax credit entitles you to a payment by the tax authority. Accordingly, if are eligible to receive a greater sum than you actually pay in tax, then the taxman will send you a cheque for the balance!
Even if you pay no income tax due to your income you will still be entitled to a 'tax credit'. The eligible works includes most types of home energy conservation, provided the installation meets agreed performance standards. You need to discuss these standards with your installer to make sure the works comply with the regulations. In most cases, the tax credit is only available for the costs of the materials, and only then provided they are purchased and installed by a registered artisan or company. There is one important exception to this rule, which is applicable for all work carried out since January 2009. This relates to the installation of roof and wall thermal insulation, for which the tax credit can cover 25% of the labour cost, provided the project is undertaken in its entirety by a registered builder. 3.2. Eco Grant
A grant of between 20% and 35% of the cost of works of home energy conservation is available, subject to a test of resources. 3.3. Interest Free French Mortgages for Energy Conservation
There are interest free mortgages available through the high street banks for works of home energy conservation. iii. Loans and Grants
There are also a surprising number of local, departmental, or regional councils who offer grants or loans towards energy saving equipment, notably towards the installation of solar panels

There is an awful lot of information available after just a brief search on energy efficency in properties and the grants available from France. Although not as easy to read as the Swedish website France is very encouraging towards energy efficency and promotes it much more that the UK does.

Once again interesting to find out what other countries are doing to reduce their carbon footprint and encourage and promote energy efficency within dwellings.