Small is beautiful, again | Green Energy News

July 14, 2010 – Vol.15 No.17
Small is beautiful, again
by Tim Snyder, Dr. Energy Saver
Remember when E. F. Schumacher’s book, Small is Beautiful, came out in 1973? Schumacher wrote the book in response to the energy crisis caused by OPEC’s first oil embargo, presenting a convincing counterpoint to our “bigger is better” culture. The author’s message became a rallying cry for economists, ecologists and everyday people. Small is Beautiful was ranked among the most influential books published since World War II by The New York Times Literary Supplement.

Small environmental footprint.

But it didn’t last. Cheap oil returned, fueling an entirely new gas-guzzling car category (the SUV) as well as a building boom that brought McMansions to suburban communities across the country. Here are some interesting statistics: In 1950, the average American family consisted of 3.6 people who shared a 1,000 sq. ft. house. By 2004, family size had shrunk 30% to 2.7 people, but house size had grown 240%, to 2,400 sq. ft. Clearly, BIG made a major comeback, which explains why the U.S., with 4% of the world’s population, is responsible for 22% of world energy consumption.

I bet you’re ready for some good news. Last year, for the first time in many years, the average size of new houses in the U.S. actually diminished. According to census figures, homes built in the second quarter of 2009 averaged 2,629sq. ft. in size. But homes under construction in the fourth quarter averaged just 2,343sq. ft. – a pretty dramatic drop. Recent research done by the National Association of Homebuilders seems to indicate that this downsizing trend will continue. Nine out of 10 builders reported that they’re building or planning to build smaller, lower-priced homes in the future.

Smaller homes can be much more energy efficient than larger homes, especially if builders incorporate the right details, like air-sealing, extra insulation and super-efficient HVAC systems, lighting and appliances. For those of us living in existing houses, all the same energy-saving opportunities are available. Companies like Dr. Energy Saver are poised to dramatically cut energy consumption by performing not just home energy audits but all of the energy saving improvements a house needs. If we all can keep trying to lighten our environmental footprint, something amazing might happen: Small could become beautiful again.

Links:

Dr Energy Saver.
http://www.drenergysaver.com

Tim Snyder is a journalist specializing in sustainability, energy efficiency and home building topics, Snyder is a former executive editor of Fine Homebuilding magazine. He recently produced a green remodeling manual for the EPA and a chapter on “Smart Shelter” for The Whole Green Catalog, published by Rodale Press. Currently he is the lead writer and training resource manager for Dr. Energy Saver, a nationwide network of energy auditors who also perform a comprehensive range of prioritized energy-saving improvements.