HousingZone.com articleFileName

Building Green in a Black and White World--Chapter 2

The following is an exerpt from the book Building Green in a Black and White World.
Section 1; Chapter 2; Part 2; Environmental Issues That Create the Market for Green Buildings--Energy Efficiency

David Ritchey Johnston
January 1, 1900
HousingZone

--------Energy Efficiency--------

Reducing Dependence on Oil

Energy efficiency is just applied common sense: The more we use, the less we have for future generations. Many Americans believe that we have become complacent about the low cost of energy and that the days of cheap energy could be running out.

Because of extraction cost and air quality concerns, it is likely that oil will become too expensive to burn for heat or electricity. 1845

According to oil analysts Colin Campbell and Jean Laherrère’s article in Scientific American, known petroleum reserves will be in decline by 2010-2020.1 As these reserves decline, oil becomes more difficult and more expensive to tap. In addition, the energy we use for electricity and heating adds to the clouds of pollution over our major cities. Because of extraction costs and air quality concerns, oil will eventually become too expensive to burn for heat or electricity. In addition, as oil costs rise, so do the prices of other energy sources.

Reducing Energy Consumption

Green building reduces energy consumption in numerous ways. First, we can decrease the energy embodied in the materials themselves through efficient design, use of recycled and local materials, and recycling construction waste. Second, green building design reduces a building’s energy consumption over its lifetime. Strategically placing windows and skylights can eliminate the need for electrical lighting during the day. A whole-house fan can cool the house overnight, rather than relying on air conditioning. High quality insulation reduces temperature regulation costs in both summer and winter.

Incorporating Solar Energy

Cactus Houses can easily increase their use of passive heating and cooling. South facing windows with overhangs can reduce heating costs by 20 to 30 percent, and prevailing breezes, shading, and natural plantings can keep houses cool in the summer.

Incorporating passive design, solar hot water heating, or photovoltaics (solar electric systems) into a home is a prudent investment for you and your customer. This list only scratches the surface of the possibilities for reducing a building’s energy requirements.

Continue to Indoor Air Quality