The environmental impact of our buildings follows in part from the energy we use within them. Conventional non-renewable energy sources such as coal-fired and nuclear power plants are a major source of pollution and green house gases emissions. Thus the more energy we consume from these sources, the more harm we do. And while renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are important strategies, the most cost-effective solution – the low-hanging fruit – is to reduce our demand.
The primary end use for energy in a conventional home is space heating. This is followed by appliances and lighting, water heating and space cooling. Heating and cooling loads can be reduced through increased insulation and innovative devices such as heat recovery ventilators (HRVs), which move rather than generate heat/cold. Efficient appliances and LED lighting are also helpful in reducing energy consumption. An integrated approach can be extremely effective at reducing energy demand, and can even lead to net-zero and energy producing buildings. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon highlights this exciting area of design.
In addition to changing the way we design, it is also important to change the way we think and act. We can significantly reduce our energy consumption with simple behavioural changes such as putting on a sweater before cranking up the thermostat, turning off lights when leaving a room, turning off power bars when major appliances are not in use, and using a clothesline to dry laundry. For additional information on residential energy use, see: