WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- With residential buildings consuming approximately 20 percent of energy usage in the U.S., a new study by Newport Partners LLC, the Whole House Analysis of Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Existing Homes, offers insight into how construction professionals can help homeowners prioritize energy-saving retrofits. The study, commissioned by the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), examined dozens of energy efficiency upgrades, such as appliances, building envelope improvements, space conditioning systems, renewable energy, and domestic water heating systems, in 10 locations across five climate zones within the continental U.S. Key metrics of the study included simple payback and expected annual energy cost savings.
