OPPORTUNITY TO OFFSET: ECO-Habitation | Author: Andriy Kumanovskyy

Why is this important?

Below is a chart highlighting Canada’s Sources of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions.

The Canadian stats are clear: at 17.6+ % (households + electricity & heat for public + other sections), energy at home is a significant part of Canadian GHG emissions. A large chunk of this is from utilizing furnaces for home heating, and the rest from the small but sure non-renewable mix of electrical production.

Besides turning off the lights and other devices when they are not in use, what are some ways to reduce the environmental impact at home... while saving money?

Appliances and Space Heating + Cooling

When choosing appliances and electrical necessities such as refrigerators, computer monitors, etc. opt for those that have an ‘Energy Star’ logo – ideally a recently implemented version such as ‘4.0’. This is a strict enforcement body ensuring that that this appliance is as efficient as currently possible.

Heat pumps for space heating and cooling are phenomenal options that pay back within 2-3 years giving tremendous savings afterwards. Heat Pumps operate essentially like air conditioners in the summer and like reverse air conditioners in the winter. Since Heat Pumps aren’t creating heat like radiators or furnaces, but rather moving it (from outside in during winter, and inside out during summer), efficiencies as high as 500% are common.

For Refrigerators, Air conditioners and Heat Pumps it is crucial to choose those with hydrocarbon refrigerants such as R290 (Propane). These have a fraction of the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of the previous generation’s ‘HFC’ refrigerants with GWP values between 1-15 compared with previous generation’s GWPs of 1000 - 15,000. This will help reduce the notable ‘8% due to leaks’ figure [1].

Solar Photo-Voltaic (PV) is another effective ‘fossil-fuel-displacement’ option for which feasibility studies can shine the light on similar short term pay-back periods as heat pumps. Reach out to professional engineering consulting /advising solutions or speak with myself to obtain a personalized solar or solar + heat pump feasibility study.

Passive Home Insulation

It’s important to choose insulation that considers sustainability throughout the entire life cycle of the product, not just very effective insulating materials for energy savings. Caulking can be a cheap option for those who can’t fully revamp the insulation, and can offer notable savings in heating and cooling use.

High Density Living

As hinted in the title, cohabitation is often a good solution, but it may not work for everyone. A similar eco option that doesn’t involve multiple families in the same space is often an overlooked one – condo living! Condos per living space have lower GHG emissions than regular houses. A downside is the limited potential for growing food as well as eco upgrades like heat pumps, solar, and other passive house insulating solutions. Essentially, if the options exist: buy a house if there are plans to make use of the land space to grow food as well as making the house as eco-friendly as possible, otherwise stick with a condo. If the house option is the route of choice, LEED Certified and/or Passive housing is the best bet.

Breakthrough Feedback Loop

It’s important to note that widespread eco-application in the 17.6% ‘household emissions’ section has a tremendous ability to advance other domains in the pie chart. Often what is cost effective for single homes and condos is also cost effective for the general public, manufacturing facilities, transportation as well as agriculture. Supporting cleaner options for electricity generation and space heating / cooling can help those industries thrive and become cost effective sooner for other industries. This effect when combined with individual action at home will help reduce a majority chunk of our Canadian, as well as worldwide GHG emissions.

[1] "Refrigerants Environmental Data. Ozone Depletion and ... - Linde Gas." http://www.linde-gas.com/en/legacy/attachment?files=tcm:Ps17-111483,tcm:s17-111483,tcm:17-111483. Accessed 16 Apr. 2019.