The CSE Building Energy Efficiency Group works with partners from across the buildings sector to investigate, develop, test, model, and demonstrate energy-efficient technologies. The development of energy-efficient, durable, and comfortable building technologies is vital to meeting energy- and carbon-reduction goals over the coming decades.

New building technologies often face adoption challenges due to lack of familiarity, uncertainties about performance and durability, and reluctance to adopt new construction techniques. The Building Energy Efficiency Group demonstrates, tests, and evaluates the whole-building performance impact of new materials and components, helping to reduce the barriers to adoption and raise technology awareness. Through close collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE), and the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP), the CSE is also particularly interested in the adaptation of high-performance European building technologies to the unique requirements of North American markets and climates.

Energy-Efficient Retrofits
Buildings consume almost 40% of America's energy and 73% of its electricity (Source: Department of Energy Buildings Energy Data Book, Sept. 2009). The Building Energy Efficiency Group is particularly focused on the retrofit market, as it offers the greatest opportunity to substantially impact energy consumption in the near-term. In fact, over 70-80% of the 2030 residential buildings have already been built. To this end, the CSE will actively pursue the development of breakthrough, cost-effective energy retrofit technologies and systems.