Energy Efficiency – What It Is and Why You Should Be Doing It

Energy Efficiency of Buildings: A Key Strategy for Sustainable Development

As energy prices soar and the public becomes increasingly aware of the environmental risks associated with the burning of fossil fuels, home and office energy efficiency is hitting the top of people’s priority lists. And if it isn’t, it should be! As a property owner myself, looking with newly opened eyes at her (definitely energy in-efficient!) home, I realize it is beyond time to join those globally who are now actively upgrading their buildings to be more energy-efficient – in the long-term saving both money and (hopefully!) our planet.

The Importance of Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Development

Energy efficient buildings not only provide comfortable living and working environments, but also cut down on energy expenditure, making better use of our planet’s resources. When done right, they also contribute to cleaner indoor air quality by employing cleaner combustion methods and offering better ventilation than traditional structures – meaning they are healthier! In short, when you prioritize energy efficiency in construction or renovation, you are choosing a smart, cost-effective strategy for combating climate change and safeguarding user health.

What does “energy efficiency of buildings” mean?

Energy efficiency is all about using less energy to achieve the same task or goal. Energy-efficient buildings demand less energy for heating, cooling, and powering various devices, while in a factory, for example, it means running systems and equipment that use less energy in the manufacturing process.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Energy Efficiency

Setting yourself the goal of making your home and office more energy efficient is a simple and cost-effective approach to tackling climate change, reducing your energy costs and boosting business competitiveness. Moreover, energy efficiency is pivotal to achieving global net-zero carbon dioxide emissions, as picking this path supports important global decarbonization initiatives – contributing to a much bigger mission than just your own health and savings!

Why are most of our current buildings “energy inefficient”?

Centuries ago, constructing buildings with energy efficiency in mind was a priority, even if the concept didn’t yet have a name. But as fuel for heating became increasingly available and ever more affordable, attention shifted towards features like bigger windows offering panoramic views, interconnected spacious rooms, lofty ceilings, and, to heat it all, oversized boilers toiling away inefficiently in basements. Further, with the widespread adoption of air conditioning, considerations for what we now term ‘sustainability’ were largely thrown out of those expansive windows.

Traditional Building Techniques and Energy Efficiency

Next time you’re walking around Tbilisi, or taking a drive past those beautiful 19th and early 20th century villages in Georgia’s regions, pay attention to the houses there. You’ll see porches, balconies, wide roof overhangs and trees giving summer shade; rooftop skylights, which maximize natural sunlight and encourage ventilation; and thick masonry walls made from stone or brick to retain heat in winter and keep the rooms cool in summer. On closer inspection of these old buildings, you might also see traditional exterior shutters and interior Venetian blinds on the windows, making them more energy-efficient than modern windows, or the remains of light-colored paint on exterior walls, chosen specifically to reflect the hot summer sun, resulting in cooler interior living spaces. Look at the position of the windows in these old buildings too: Where possible, they were only installed where they could effectively allow for lighting and ventilation. Modern architecture, by contrast, relies on more windows than are necessary as a stylistic measure.

Why should we make our buildings energy efficient?

To save money, to improve comfort and health, and to reduce our consumption of valuable resources. Yes, it can be an expensive investment, but you shouldn’t focus solely on the upfront expenses, as these can be discouraging; instead, evaluate the full lifetime costs to find that all-important break-even point that shows you are doing the right thing for you, your employees, your family and the planet.

Key Steps to Achieving Energy Efficiency in New Buildings

If you’re aiming for a cost-effective, zero net energy building project and are starting from scratch, you are at a distinct advantage. We advise you start by first estimating the building’s energy consumption using that energy modeling software we mentioned above. After that, you can take your pick from the tips below, or, better yet, go all-in for top energy efficiency.

1. Use the Sun for “Solar Tempering” – Leveraging sunlight for heating via south-facing windows during the winter reduces heating expenses, while shading these windows during the summer months cuts down on your cooling costs. You can also use the sun for renewable energy, as solar panels can power all the energy needs of a home or office, including lighting, heating and cooling systems, appliances and hot water. Be ready to make space for the necessary equipment, though!
2. Super-Seal the Building Envelope – Super-sealing the exterior of the building (its “envelope”) is the single most cost-effective measure you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your ultimate zero energy home or office. This job will require careful assessment and a lot of caulk and foam! On doing my research, I was surprised how many “leaks” my house had: Windows and door frames were the obvious points, but also sockets and switches, anywhere plumbing or wiring comes through from one room or floor to another; even the joints of walls! Next, after making your building airtight, super insulating is probably the second most cost-effective strategy to aim for – using foam panels and thick attic insulation.
3. Create an Energy Efficient, Fresh Air Supply – Even though we just emphasized the importance of plugging the leaks in your home, a continuous source of fresh filtered air and moisture control are critical. Highly energy efficient ventilation systems (called Heat Recovery Ventilation, HRV) systems, or energy recovery ventilation (ERV) systems, expel stale air while recovering heat and returning that same heat to the home or office with the fresh air. Such a system is a hefty financial investment to make, but one that is highly beneficial for user health- and it will definitely pay back in the long-term.
4. Select an Energy Efficient Heating System – Choosing a modern heating system will boost the energy efficiency of your new-build. Heat pumps are the most energy efficient heating systems around, while gas furnaces are the cheapest and most commonly used. Their efficiency in heating is rated with HSPF (heat pump) or AFUE (furnace). The higher the rating, the more efficient it is. A geothermal heat pump is the best option, and if you can afford the installation cost, they say it can cut your heating bills by up to 70%!
5. Install
   

   SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • SDG 13: Climate Action
   • SDG 15: Life on Land

   2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   • SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
   • SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
   • SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

   3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   • Energy consumption in buildings (measured in kilowatt-hours or joules)
   • Carbon footprint of building materials (measured in CO2 emissions)
   • Energy efficiency rating of heating systems (measured with HSPF or AFUE)
   • Energy rating of appliances and electronics (measured with energy performance certificates)
   • Percentage of buildings with energy-efficient lighting

   SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy	7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency	– Energy consumption in buildings (measured in kilowatt-hours or joules) – Energy efficiency rating of heating systems (measured with HSPF or AFUE)
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management	– Carbon footprint of building materials (measured in CO2 emissions) – Percentage of buildings with energy-efficient lighting
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning	– Carbon footprint of building materials (measured in CO2 emissions)
   SDG 15: Life on Land	15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally	– Percentage of buildings with energy-efficient lighting

   Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.

   Fuente: georgiatoday.ge

    

   

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