Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the most responsive concepts of mitigating carbon footprints. The rapid depletion of non-renewable energy sources is one of the biggest environmental challenges, alongside other climate change and global warming problems (Bhati et al., pg. 233). Energy efficiency comes in as a responsive ideal for curbing excessive energy consumption at home and industries.

Improving energy consumption at home and all sectors of the economy are essential and urgent to save the world from related challenges. Gerarden et al. noted that commercial and residential buildings’ energy represents a significant percentage of the country’s aggregate energy consumption (pg. 1490). The rate depends on the extent of electrification, the prevailing climatic conditions, and urbanization. Energy efficiency is an active pathway towards reduced carbon emissions and cost-efficiency in the domain of consumption. This task seeks to assess energy efficiency in my family home through an in-depth evaluation of practices at home and then offer relatable solutions to enhance energy effectiveness.

Topic Discussion

Trash Produced

The commonly produced trash includes paper products, corrugated bottles, bottles, food wastes, and worn-out electronics. Poor solid waste management at home excites air pollution and the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Fast Fashion

According to // fashion industry contributes to high carbon footprints than the combination of maritime shipping and international flights. In the context of my home, the fashion sector is the biggest consumer of water. Besides, tattered and old clothes contribute to waste generation. The wastewater is also released into the ground, which invokes soil and water pollution. My family spends a lot of financial capital to purchase new clothing. Increased purchase inspires environmental impacts associated, such as exhaustion of non-renewable sources, vast amounts of energy and water, and the proliferation of greenhouse gases.

Toilet Efficiency

Toilet flushing and general home cleanliness consume a lot of water. In my home, the installation of low-flow toilets has reduced the amount of water used in flushing. The toilet is water-efficient, which lowers the amount of water consumed. At home, we also have a gravity-assist toilet, which also helps in saving the water required for flushing.

Appliance Efficiency

According to Hagbert, Pernilla, and Femenías (pg. 7), freezers, refrigerators, dishwashers, stoves, and dry cleaners can be designed to suppress the amount of electricity they utilize. For example, modern energy-efficient refrigerators are designed to consume forty percent less energy than those of the previous millennium. In my home, we identify energy-efficient appliances using the Energy Star, which informs us about which products to purchase.

Power Source Sustainability

Overreliance on electricity as the chief source of power is not sustainable. There is a need to venture into alternative sources such as wind, biomass, and solar energy. The home has not installed solar panels to provide alternative energy sources. As a result, the overdependence of electric power has resulted in high electricity bills. Besides, power blackouts sometimes cause inconveniences.

Lighting

In my residence, the construction design has not integrated energy demands, which consequently increase energy inefficiencies. For instance, the building is not built in a way to let in natural light. Therefore, I am obliged to spend more electricity for lighting to dispel the darkness even during the day.

Energy Vampires

Some of the electrical appliances, including electric kettle and bulbs, are out-dated and energy-consuming at home. Alongside the spinning wheel of time, technology has fostered energy-efficient gadgets (Vine et al., pg. 11). Utilizing old gadgets that consume a vast amount of electricity is one of the unsustainable trends at home. However, my family has well-mastered the need to use electricity sparingly and turn off light when not in use. The tendency has enabled us to save electricity and therefore pay less housing bills. The practice is sustainable.

Insulation

House insulation helps in reducing energy consumed in heating and cooling in the effort to achieve desired temperatures. Besides, insulation entails installing skylights and fluorescent lights instead of incandescent lights to achieve the same effect.

Recycling

Recycling refers to the art of gathering and processing materials that would be discarded away as waste and transforming them into new useful products. Recycling helps to reduce the waste sent to landfills and is a vital tool in the conservation of energy and natural resources. Besides, recycling helps prevent environmental pollution, saves energy, and creates employment opportunities in recycling firms. In my home, we recycle plastic bottles, paper bags, and clothes, which help reduce anthropogenic pressures induced upon the environment.

Home Evaluation

Whereas design costs, styles, and options differ, smart homes are mostly characterized by controlled ventilation, well-built and sealed thermal envelopes, and efficient cooling and heating systems. Smart homes are also characterized by energy-efficient doors, appliances, and windows. Such characterizations cannot equate to my home, and thus it cannot be termed as a smart home.

Recommendations (Monetary and Feasible Changes my Family Should Consider)

The solution to the tragedy of unsustainable energy consumption patterns lies in the threshold of individuals and communities. The answer begins to manifest when every individual starts to take responsibility for his/her behavior and develop attitudes that foster energy conservation motives. The solution sparks at home and spreads pout to the community level. According to Cooremans, Catherine, and Schönenberger, environmental awareness is one of the tools applicable in streamlining families’ and communities’ perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors in favor of conservation (pg. 267).

The application of smart technologies at home is another solution. There is a need to tap into energy-saving gadgets, including bulbs, smart meters, and electronics. Energy-saving technologies suppress the amount of energy consumption, which helps save costs and reduce energy consumption for sustainability. Bhati et al. suggested that smart homes’ construction is also an approach to energy sustainability (pg. 236). Smart homes are well-endowed with natural air conditioning and lighting, which consequently cuts short used energy in providing light, and heat or fresh air.

Besides, the application of renewable sources of energy will help in mitigating overdependence on renewable sources. Such sources include the use of biogas, wind, and solar power. Renewable sources are cost-effective and environmental friendly (Vine et al., pg. 11). As opposed to non-renewable, renewable sources are not quickly depleted and are eco-friendly (Barata et al., pg. 1330).