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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Buildings are among the 4 greatest energy hogs in our society, and by extension, produce a fair share of greenhouse emissions. Tackling energy consumption in buildings is therefore one of the major sectors we need to consider for getting Earth back on track, towards a cleaner, cooler planet.
Not only can reducing home energy use protect the planet, it can also be an excellent investment, that can help bring down household or overhead costs, providing more spending money for other activities or upgrades!
Energy Hogs in Buildings
Energy Hogs in Buildings
This section is organized from activities that currently use the most energy (and therefore have the greater ecological impact) to those that make up a smaller share of our energy use and emissions.
Currently we are using US statistics, since the country has a variety of climates, but these numbers may be different around the world depending on people's needs, environment, and local utilities.
Feedback and suggestions are much appreciated!
Low & Zero Energy Solutions
Low & Zero Energy Solutions
Cooling
Cooling
This link describes a variety of ways to cool buildings, courtyards, patios, and porches without A/C units which use a significant amount of energy, and leak refrigerants into the atmosphere while physically heating the area outside of a building. By using electricity-free or low-electricity/refrigerant-free methods we can help cool ourselves without harming others. These are also a great way to reduce global electricity use, since heating and cooling are among the biggest building-related causes of emissions, with building emissions making up about 17.5% of global emissions.
Heating
Heating
"The EU’s building stock is responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption and 36% of its greenhouse gas emissions. The prevalence of fossil gas boilers in European homes further compounds the issue." according to this article. By focusing on ways to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels through insulation, passive heating and sustainable energies (preferably in that order) we can reduce the cost of our comfort while protecting the environment.
Insulation
Insulation
Some low impact, carbon-sequestering solutions to our heating and cooling problems can come from easy-to-grow crops like hemp, which require little water, and can even help absorb pollutants from our environment.
Curtains & Blinds
Curtains & Blinds
These can insulate against heat, cold, noise pollution, and even light pollution.
Heating Water
Heating Water
Pumping water is one of the biggest energy users in some places, but since water is resistant to temperature changes, it requires a lot of energy to heat too. Old fashioned water heaters can cause attics to overheat and air conditioning systems have to work harder, but in air cupboards they can be useful locations to keep bedding warm for winter use, or to help dry laundry or herbs. The newest and most efficient heaters are electric, but solar and other options are available too.
Sensible Lighting
Sensible Lighting
Sensible, low-energy lighting helps us see better, sleep better, and save energy all at the same time!
Lighting Solutions
Lighting Solutions
Click the lighting button to learn about options from skylights to eco-friendly light bulbs as well as other types of light sources.
Light Pollution
Light Pollution
This type of pollution often goes under society's radar, despite it being perhaps the most visible type of pollution.
Importance of Darkness
Importance of Darkness
Not only is darkness important for cultural and human health reasons, but it is also vital for wildlife and functioning ecosystems. The last century has seen a literal explosion of artificial lighting which is drastically impacting the ability of wildlife to migrate, forage, and follow other vital functions.
Electricity Free Refrigeration & Food Preservation
Electricity Free Refrigeration & Food Preservation
Refrigeration uses a fairly high amount of energy, yet storing too much food can end with things being lost, forgotten, then going bad anyway. By reducing our reliance on refrigeration, we can often extend the life of our food. Having less cluttered fridge and freezer space also helps the equipment work more efficiently than overstuffed refrigeration. The link to the left explores electricity free cooling solutions (both products and how to guides to help you build your own), drying methods, canning, and more.
Laundry: Stains, Washing, & Drying
Laundry: Stains, Washing, & Drying
Drying laundry is the most carbon intensive stage of caring for your laundry, washing uses the most water, and certain products cause various types of pollution. For example laundry sheets should be avoided because they release unwanted chemicals and micro plastics into the environment.
Since so many resources, a lot of energy, and land fill space is used for fast fashion and single-use items, simply taking proper care of your clothing, and washing reusable items will help you significantly reduce your ecological impact. Some examples include: baby wipes, nappies/diapers, period pads, and cleaning rags and "the family cloth".
Eco-Friendly Cooking Methods & Equipment
Eco-Friendly Cooking Methods & Equipment
This link explores different ways we can cook and preserve foods with no energy, or reduced energy use. These include solar cookers and dehydrators, drying, canning, microwaving, and how to reduce your energy use with different equipment you may already use daily.
Solutions
Solutions
Systematic & Civic Level Changes
Systematic & Civic Level Changes
Codes & Ordinances
Codes & Ordinances
Tools & Calculators
Tools & Calculators
For technology-specific tools and calculators, check out the specific technology/solution pages above. For example the High Efficiency Heat Pump page has a selection of calculators and tools to guide your installation needs and expected benefits.
North America
North America
USA
USA
Rewiring America: Track Your Local Pace of Progress "These projections from Rewiring America worked backwards from the emissions targets for 2050, and forward from current sales of machines for cooking, water heating, space heating, transportation, and rooftop solar to set a number of new clean electric machines that must be sold each year to reduce emissions from fossil-fueled machines. Type your city, county, or state into the search bar to get those numbers broken down for your area, by each machine category.
While creating this tool, one of things we found is that some individual communities and states are leading the way: their goals are bolder than the rest of the country and so don’t match the path laid out in our data. That’s a great problem to have. So our tool should not be considered the only source of its kind -- but one that reflects only one of the possible paths to decarbonization."
Organizations
Organizations
North America
North America
USA
USA
The Clean Energy States Alliance "is a national, nonprofit coalition of public agencies and organizations working together to advance clean energy.
CESA works with state leaders, federal agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to develop clean energy programs and inclusive renewable energy markets. CESA members—mostly state agencies—include many of the most innovative, successful, and influential public funders of clean energy initiatives in the country."
Maps
Maps
Europe
Europe
Local Energy Solutions Map "This interactive map shows inspiring examples of how individuals, communities, cooperatives, municipalities, and businesses are successfully implementing energy transition solutions. From solar rooftops to wind farms, discover how diverse and impactful the journey to sustainability can be."
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
Asia
Asia
Livable Cities: Financing Partnership Facility "The urban operations of ADB benefits from the support of notable trust funds, which are collectively referred to as the Urban Financing Partnership Facility. Under this umbrella, strategic, long-term, multi-partner investments on innovative urban solutions are implemented. These investments help to achieve the vision of livable cities." These include:
Urban Climate Change Resilience Trust Fund (UCCRTF) eligible countries include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Vietnam.
North America
North America
USA
USA
Power Forward Communities "is a coalition of some of the country’s most trusted housing, climate, and community investment groups dedicated to decarbonizing and transforming American housing. We’re saving homeowners and renters money, reinvesting in communities, and tackling the climate crisis."
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