Energy Efficiency Begins at Home and with Buildings Yet to be Built
Energy Efficiency Begins at Home and with Buildings Yet to be Built Kansas Public Radio
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Secure Our Energy Future with Efficient Buildings
By Scott Carlberg
Kansans needlessly spend good money on energy, and something can be done about it.
Energy costs are a hot topic, of course, and so are the ways to hold down energy expenditures. Here’s a dollars-and-cents energy idea that’s so true it almost fails to be obvious: The cheapest power plant is the one that doesn’t have to be built.
So, if people could save enough energy – decrease power demand – they could reduce the number of new power generation plants. If utilities don’t have to build new plants, it’s less that the customers must fund through electric bills. It all kind of makes sense. Saving energy is also saving money.
Buildings are a significant way to save energy; they account for 36% of our energy use.
Real energy savings in buildings is both easy and kind of difficult though.
New buildings are a slam dunk with updated building codes and technology. Consider that half of the homes and buildings of 2050 have not even been built yet. They have decades to stand. Their energy benefits are good for the long-term.
Existing buildings are a different story. Adjusting thermostats or keeping furnace filters clean – those are easy. Big savings don’t happen that way, though. Real savings take effort.
Energy Efficiency in Kansas
Let’s look at Kansas. Our housing stock is varied – different ages and styles of buildings. Different energy profiles. Kansas has more than 1.2 million occupied homes. About 16% were built before 1940. Almost 60% before 1980, before new energy-saving technologies, and before energy consciousness really took hold.
Since 1980, energy consumption per unit of floor space is down more than 10% for residential and more than 20% for commercial buildings. That’s good progress, but it’s offset because new houses are larger than before.
New single-family houses gained, on average, the size of one more bedroom from 2010 to 2019.
It’s not just houses. Upgrading commercial buildings saves energy and can make the most of existing building materials – keep it all from the landfill. “Retro-commissioning” is a name for that, a systematic look at an older building; find design or construction issues, problems as equipment has aged, or even as the building usage has changed.
Conclusion
The message to Kansans is – don’t blow money and energy out the door, through the windows, and even through the walls. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings is the low-hanging fruit of energy savings. Conservation pays back for years. This is a matter of Kansans helping Kansans improve our energy security.
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About the Author
Commentator Scott Carlberg has more than 40 years’ experience in energy industry communications. His work has been with oil, gas, and electricity organizations, in corporate, nonprofit, research, and higher education. He lives in Leawood.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management | Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and properly disposed of |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources | Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
The article discusses the need to save energy in order to reduce the number of new power generation plants and decrease energy costs. This aligns with SDG 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
The article emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency in buildings, which can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of cities. This relates to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article highlights the need for efficient use of natural resources, particularly in buildings, to save energy and reduce waste. This aligns with SDG 12, which aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
The article emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency in buildings to save energy and reduce the need for new power generation plants. Achieving this target can contribute to reducing energy costs and promoting sustainable energy practices.
Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities, including air quality and waste management
The article highlights the role of energy-efficient buildings in reducing the environmental impact of cities. By improving energy efficiency and reducing waste in buildings, cities can contribute to achieving this target and creating more sustainable communities.
Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
The article emphasizes the need for efficient use of natural resources, particularly in buildings, to save energy and reduce waste. Achieving this target requires promoting sustainable practices in building design, construction, and operation.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 7.3.1: Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP
The article discusses the importance of saving energy and reducing power demand to avoid the need for new power generation plants. This aligns with Indicator 7.3.1, which measures the energy intensity in terms of primary energy and GDP to track progress towards improving energy efficiency.
Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and properly disposed of
The article mentions the importance of upgrading commercial buildings to save energy and reduce waste. This aligns with Indicator 11.6.1, which measures the proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and properly disposed of, indicating progress in waste management practices.
Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
The article emphasizes the need for efficient use of natural resources in buildings to save energy and reduce waste. This aligns with Indicator 12.2.1, which measures the material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP to track progress towards sustainable resource management.
Overall, the article highlights the importance of energy efficiency in buildings to achieve multiple SDGs, including affordable and clean energy, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible consumption and production. By improving energy efficiency and reducing waste in buildings, progress can be made towards targets related to energy efficiency, environmental impact reduction, and sustainable resource management.
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: kansaspublicradio.org
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