Home Design of the Future
By: Damian Marcinko
Sustainable Ecosystems
1.a.) How would I create a green environment around my home?
To begin with, my home is located in Toronto Ontario Canada. The Biome that my house would be located in would be the Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome. The reason I have chosen my house to be located in this specific Biome. Is because the Temperate Deciduous Forest contains longer growing seasons, and fertile soil, which is ideal for growing healthy vegetation gardens. In addition, this particular Biome contains deciduous trees, as well as flowering plants, that are able to support a rich variety of animals. Also, the climate of this Biome has made it attractive for humans such as me. Temperatures here do not reach extreme lows. In the front of my home I would plant several different species of trees (Mostly Ceader and pine trees) . In the backyard of my home. I would have a large vegetable garden containing several different types of vegetable.
2. What plants would you farm in your vegetable garden?
Next, the vegetable garden located in the backyard of my home, would contain a vast amount of fruits and vegetables. Some of the vegetables may include tomatoes, potatoes, and carrots. Around the perimeter of my backyard, you can find three separate apple trees. The reason I have chosen to include these particular vegetable and fruit, is because the Temperate Deciduous Forest Biome provides ideal growing conditions during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. This includes an idea amount of precipitation over the course of theses three seasons, as well an ideal temperature during these three seasons. As I am growing my fruits and vegetables, I will chose to organically grow my plants. The reason I have chosen to avoid pesticides is because an issue may include killing non-target species. I myself, would prefer leaving innocent animals unharmed. In addition, I would prefer using Natural fertilizers that have been obtained from natural sources and have not been chemically altered by humans.
3. What mode of Transportation would I choses to park in my driveway?
The mode of transportation that I have chosen to transport me to different locations around the City of Toronto would be a bicycle. Although using a bicycle requires a valiant effort. A bicycle does not produce any form of pollution that may harm the environment. Unlike cars or public transit which are capable of releasing harmful pollutants into the environment.
4. What types of waste management systems would I include in my home?
In terms of waste management, Instead of disposing of my organic waste in the garbage that is taken to the landfill. In the backyard of my home, I would own a large composting container that would allow my organic waste to be broken down by decomposers. To eventually provide soil that can be utilized in my vegetable environment. Also, in the garage of my home you can find a recycling box that contains material that can be used again in some form. Instead of throwing all of my recyclable materials into the trash. I will utilize my recycling bin to reduce waste, reuse material, and recycle matter
5. Which endangered species would my family sponsor at the local zoo?
Two species that my family would sponsor at the Toronto Zoo would be Polar Bears and Cheetahs. The reason that my family and I have decided to sponsor these two species in particular is because both these two animals own a spot closer to the top of the food chain. If these two species are in decline or even become extinct. Animals lower in the food chain such as rodents and fish may experience an incline in their species. For example, if the rodent species where to increase suddenly. The spread of different diseases many increase as well. This is why it is important as humans to do whatever we can, to make sure these particular species continue to exist in our world today.
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds
1. Which Three chemicals in my home are toxic to humans or pets?
To begin with, the substance known as Gasoline can be found inside of my garage. I use gasoline to power motors such as in my lawn mower. In addition to gasoline, Windex is another harmful contaminate the can be found inside of my house. Windex is a form of cleaner that is commonly used for the cleaning of mirrors or windows. Although when ingested, Windex can pose a potential threat to myself, my family, as well as my two dogs. Next another chemical found in my home is laundry detergent. Laundry Detergent is very useful in terms of getting my families weekly load of dirty clothes clean once again. However, if ingested laundry detergent poses a threat to both my family, as well as my pets.
2. What elements are gasoline made up of?
Realistically, gasoline is made up of hundreds of different chemical compounds. Although gasoline mostly contains two common elements known as Hydrogen and Carbon. This hydrocarbon compound typically reacts with oxygen when in contact. Below, I have included a Bohr-Rutherford Diagram of the common element of Carbon.
3. Which group or family is Carbon located in?
The group on the the Periodic Table of elements that the common element of Carbon is located in happens to be Group 14.
4. Is the Element of Carbon a metal, non-metal, or metalloid?
The element known as Carbon is classified as a non-metal on the Periodic Table.
The Characteristics of Electricity
1. What type of electrical energy source will you use for my home? How sustainable is my choice of energy for future generations?
They form of electrical energy that I have chosen for my home is Hydroelectricity. Hydroelectricity is generated by using the fast moving water of a waterfall or river, or the water stored in a reservoir or dam. The reason I have chosen Hydroelectricity. Is because Waterfalls and rivers are provided with an endless supply of water that can be used over and over again. Therefore, hydroelectricity is considered to be a renewable energy resource. Generating electricity by using moving water is relatively sustainable for future generations. Hydroelectric Generation does not produce pollution in the air as well as in the water. In addition, as I mentioned before as well. Hydroelectric generation is a renewable energy source. That is, Water is a natural resource that is continuously replenished and will never run out.
2. What types of physical structures make a house more efficient? How can I design a home that will reduce wasted energy?
To begin with, Different types of physical structures that make a house more energy efficient may include Making sure your walls and attic are well insulated, as well as using energy efficient appliances such as furnaces. Designing a home that reduces wasted energy requires the use of energy efficient appliances such as furnaces and fridges for instance. By using up to date appliances rather than older models, most of the time results in the use of less electrical energy. Next, by making sure that all walls are properly insulated is another way to create a home that is less energy consuming. By insulating your walls and attic. The heat that flows out of my home in the summer will decrease. This will result in less energy being used to heat my house during the harsh winters here in Toronto! In edition to physical structures. Designing a home that will reduce wasted energy does not always include using energy efficient structures or devices. Reducing wasted electricity in my home can also come in the form of turning out the lights when they are not being used, unplugging devices when not in use, and turning off appliances after they have served their purpose.
3. What types of appliances are present inside of my home? Why have I chosen them?
The appliances that I have chosen to be included and to function in my home consists of the necessities. For instance a Fridge, an oven/stove, a washer/dryer, as well as an air conditioning system and a furnace . However, these appliances are not just any appliances. I will personally purchase newer and more energy efficient appliance models rather that older, and more energy consuming appliances. For instance, an older model of a clothes washer may use up to 800 kW-hr in one year. While a newer model might use 300 kW-hr in one year. As you can observe, both dryers are built to perform the same task. However, the newer model has been constructed to consume less electrical energy. Moreover, when I chose to purchase my appliances at a nearby hardware store, I will keep my eyes peeled for energy efficient appliances that have been label with The Energy Star symbols well as an EnerGuide Label. My reasoning for this is because the Energy Star Symbol is used to Pinpoint appliances that meet a minimum level of efficiency.
4. What type of light bulbs would I include in my home design? Why?
When purchasing light bulbs. I must take into consideration that not all light bulbs use electrical energy efficiently. So when purchasing light bulbs, I would chose to purchase Compact fluorescent light bulbs, over the old incandescent light bulb. The reason I say this is because a the incandescent light bulb is actually more productive in producing thermal energy, than electrical energy! Meanwhile, the Compact fluorescent lightbulb is actually 20 % - 30 % more efficient at producing light, compared to the old incandescent lightbulb. Therefore, I would purchase the Compact fluorescent lightbulb because they are a rather efficient alternative, in terms of producing light energy.
The Study of the Universe
1. Which types of technology that were originally developed for space exploration can be located inside of my home?
Three types of technology that were originally developed for space exploration that can be located inside of my future home include a smoke detector, a flashlight, and bar code systems. To begin with, a smoke detector is located in each room of my home, to provide me with protection, if a fire were to ever break out. However, originally smoke detectors were originally used in the Earth orbiting Space station called Skylab. I was used to detect any toxic vapors that may have been currently present in the air. Today, most homes across the world use fire alarms to warn people of fire. In addition, I also own two flashlights to provide me with light if the power were to ever go out. Although in space travel, a flashlight uses NASA`s concept of system redundancy, which is always having a backup for the parts of the Spacecraft with the most important jobs. Today, and also in past years. Many home owners own a flashlight just in case they ever need an emergency source of light. Lastly, many products that I have purchased still cantain a barcode. Barcodes were originally developed to assist NASA in keeping track of millions of spacecraft parts. Today barcoding is used by almost everybody who sells products or goods to other people.
My Home Design
Bibliography
Toxic Chemicals in Your Home | CEHN. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.cehn.org/education/toxic_products
Endangered Species Reserve Fund. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.torontozoo.com/Conservation/reserve.asp
Hydroelectricity. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/hydro.html
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.homedepot.com/c/how_to_choose_right_compact_fluorescent_light_bulb_HT_BG_EL
Deciduous Forest Biome. (n.d.). Retrieved January 16, 2015, from http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/deciduous_forest.htm