A First Step Towards Carbon Neutral Buildings

May 8, 2007 – Vol.12 No.7

A FIRST STEP TOWARDS CARBON NEUTRAL BUILDINGS.

There’s no sense waiting for asleep-at-the-wheel, driving-with-the-parking-brake-on car companies to build millions-upon-millions of super-fuel-efficient cars, like plug-in hybrids, for world markets. While uncomfortably high gas prices in the US have drivers yearning for fuel-sipping cars and trucks that aren’t yet available, the quickest and easiest road to cut energy costs is at home.

Saving energy and cutting emissions at home might make filling up a little less painful

There’s lots you can do at home. Waiting for a breakthrough technology is not necessary. Shut off lights. Add insulation. Block harsh sunlight. Junk the tank-type hot water heater. Add a tankless one. Add compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Upgrade your heating and air conditioning system. Or better, scrap the central air for on-demand, point-of-use air conditioning. Ventilate your attic. Add ceiling or portable fans. Plant some trees. Buy energy efficient, Energy Star rated appliances. When your wallet says yes, consider a solar system for hot water, electricity or both. If your power company lets you buy their low-cost off-peak power, do it.

According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC)

--- Buildings account for 38 percent of CO2 emissions in the United States - more than either the transportation or industrial sectors

--- Buildings consume 70 percent of the electricity load in the U.S.

--- Over the next 25 years, CO2 emissions from buildings are projected to grow faster than any other sector, with emissions from commercial buildings projected to grow the fastest -1.8 percent a year through 2030

--- Buildings have a life span of 50-100 years, during which they continually consume energy and produce CO2 emissions. If half of new commercial buildings were built to use 50 percent less energy, it would save over 6 million metric tons of CO2 annually for the life of the buildings - the equivalent of taking more than 1 million cars off the road every year

--- Building green is one of the best strategies for meeting the challenge of climate change, because the technology to make substantial reductions in energy and CO2 emissions already exists. The average LEED (tm) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building uses 32 percent less electricity and saves 350 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually.

--- The US population and economy are projected to grow significantly over the coming decades, increasing the need for new buildings - to meet this demand, approximately 15 million new buildings are projected to be constructed by 2015.

With 15 million new foundations to be poured in the next eight years the USGBC, along with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Architecture 2030, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) with support from the US Department of Energy have agreed to share thoughts, begin the process, and establish a common starting point for zero-net energy buildings with the ultimate goal of carbon-neutral buildings by 2030.

Carbon-neutral buildings would use no energy from the power grid and be affordable.

For now you can save energy at home. Drive less and with a light foot if you need to save fuel on the road.

Visit the USGBC at http://www.usgbc.org/