New Homes Vs Old Homes
New Homes Are More Energy Efficient Than Older Homes
Background Information
Energy has been around for as long as we can remember, from the day man first discovered fire, to using energy for generating coal fueled trains, however we never stopped there. The world began searching for alternatives in order to reduce the amount of energy used to provide products and services, which is better known as the term, energy efficiency. This concept is key when designing homes, and it is important to understand that 17% of Canada's energy goes directly towards our homes! Homes of the previous century (during the late 1900’s) would use an abundance of resources, in order to accomplish a sustainable energy supply for just one house, such as: natural gas and oil. On the other hand, homes of the 20th century are not very different than older homes in supplying an abundance of resources in order to accomplish sustainable energy as well, however in the fact that this process is done in a more efficient manner with the assistance of modern appliances. Some examples of energy efficient appliances found within our homes today, include: Solar panels, Refrigerators, Stoves, Air Conditioning, Water Heater etc. Today’s “green” myth will be to discuss just this, to determine whether or not new homes are more energy efficient than older homes. This will leave today’s myth either Busted, Plausible, or Confirmed.
Examples of Energy Appliances Used In Both Newer Homes and Old Homes
Newer Homes (Produced by Energy Star):
- Refrigerators
- Stoves
- Dryers/Washers
- Air Conditioners
- Water Heaters
- Electronic Appliances
Older Homes:
- Natural Gas
- Fossil Fuels
- Coal
- Incandescent Light Bulbs
Lights, Energy efficiency reduces amount of energy used to produce it
Natural Gas Within Old Homes
Water Heater Used as an energy efficient appliance
Numeric (Quantitative Information)
The following chart explains the energy efficiency within old homes compared in contrast to the energy efficiency within today’s/new homes. When evaluating energy efficiency we observe factors that have affected this concept in significant ways, one of many factors include: natural gas. To begin with we first take into consideration the energy consumption of old homes and work our way up with current supplying data upon energy use in today’s homes. Due to the development of energy efficient appliances and technology the total energy total for homes had begun to decrease significantly year by year, ex: 1975 had a total energy use of 343.2 (GJ/year), however by 1980 the total energy use, was deducted significantly to 246.1 (GJ/year) which is a deduction of 28% of the energy from old homes to new homes. By 2012 our total energy consumption had been deducted from 343.2 (GJ/year) to just a minimal 116.8 (GJ/year)! Not only does this ensure that today’s homes are more energy efficient than older homes, however it too explains that the overall use of energy would be 66% less than in 1975, and this includes for all common uses of energy such as: light, heat, air conditioning, etc. It is especially crazy to consider that we are striving to decrease this number even now with different techniques in windows, walls etc. Today in Oakville we have numerous land masses which have had a great change in the amount of energy used, and as we know it Oakville too uses Hydroelectricity Distribution, which is now available towards newer built homes, and instead never towards older homes. In this case it again positively proves that newer homes are more energy efficient than older homes (new-hydroelectricity and appliances, older-natural gases, fossil fuels).
What is The Impact of This On The Environment?
There are several impacts upon the environment from energy efficiency in both a positive and negative way. Firstly, lighting affects the environment in a number of ways, including energy usage, the materials used to produce lighting products, and light's impact on the nighttime sky. Some materials used in lamps, such as mercury, are toxic to the environment. Light shining into the sky causes light pollution. In Oakville this has a major effect on the environment because as the amount of light increases, the light pollution increases as well, blinding the beautiful night sky (cannot see the stars) and affecting the atmosphere with harmful chemicals that we may breathe in. Another way energy efficiency affects the environment is through the sole use of appliances. Although they may seem a bit costly, they provide a both, significant and positive impact upon the environment. By using energy efficient appliances within homes it reduces the use of oil, natural gas, and coal (used for lighting or heating) which has severely negative impacts on the environment such as: Breathing or Reproductive Problems. They not only save money for our monthly T.V bills, but they also help the environment in a positive way. The less energy we use we all use, the lower become our demands for relying on power plants, which in the long run means less pollution. These are the several impacts on the environment because of energy efficiency within new homes than old homes.
What does this leave us with? Busted? Confirmed? or Plausible?
In conclusion due to technological advances in energy efficient appliances in today's newer homes, it is indefinitely, CONFIRMED that new homes are more energy efficient than older homes.
Bibliography/Reference Page
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/housing/new-homes/5023
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/housing/new-homes/5027
http://www.chba.ca/uploads/policy%20archive/2013/EE%20Today's%20new%20homes_Final_LR.pdf
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=9951#