Megan Dyer

Professor Padgett

English 102

04/11/17

The Importance of Energy Efficiency: Humans Need to Reach for Net-Zero to Save the Earth

Energy practices have become front and center in the minds of many people around the

world. Anywhere that one looks for appliances, energy ratings will be seen. Even with this

energy information presented there is an opposing side that has reviewers commenting

negatively on the product due to harm on the environment from low-energy efficiency. Even

though people are so concerned with energy ratings and reviews, few care enough to take action

to reduce their own energy emissions. Some may not be taking action because they just do not

think there is any better options than the way they are living, but that is not true. People need to

be educated on energy and net-zero emissions. Energy emissions can have large negative effects

on the environment, including air pollution. For instance, energy waste from electricity, fuel, and

transportation can release pollutants into the air that cause pollution such as smog (Cars, Trucks,

and Air Pollution). In 2012, Americans were surveyed on how much they worry about

environmental problems. From the chart below you can see that the biggest proportion of people,

thirty-six percent, agree air pollution is a big problem and worry a great deal. Thirty-five percent

worry a fair amount and twenty-two percent worry at least a little. That is, 93% of people are

worrying at some level about air pollution, yet it would be hard to believe 93% of people are

doing the most they can to reduce their own energy emissions in order to decrease air pollution

(Gallup).
 Air Pollution

7
22 36

35

% Great deal % Fair amount

% Only a little % Not at all (Gallu
p)

This made me start thinking about my own life and all the many ways that not only I use energy,

but also how others around me us it. Due to these thoughts, I began asking myself; Is it truly

possible to waste zero energy? and after conducting research it has been proven that it is

possible to not waste it. Several people are working towards achieving net-zero building around

the world. Because the engineering and construction industries have been working tirelessly to

make advances through various net-zero geared practices in residential and commercial

buildings, we see improvements in some areas but there are some issues faced in making these

practices a commonplace which tells us that it is up to fellow builders, engineers, and

homeowners to overcome the issues by following some simple guidelines.

In order to make net-zero common practice, people have to understand why it is

important to reduce energy emissions. At UN climate negotiations, scientists discussed climate

change and how quickly people need to reach net-zero energy emissions before the damage to

the environment is irreversible. Experts weighed in at the conference but with varying levels of

urgency, Climate hawks say it should be met as early as 2050. Others see a few more decades of

wiggle room, but they too emphasize the need for rapid action. (Cushman). Many doubters,

particularly proponents of big oil, say this goal is too unreasonable and that it will take more time
than just a few decades. Experts at the climate negotiations disagreed greatly. Advisors for Shell

even agree that there needs to be a movement towards cleaner and more efficient energy sources.

If a big oil company is in support of something that could potentially harm their business, it

shows just how important reaching net-zero really is. (Cushman)

Working examples of net-zero construction have already been created. For example,

nineteen affordable net-zero energy homes were built in Hawaii in 2011. Hawaii is notorious for

very high energy prices so this project was constructed as an experiment to find ways to combat

these prices. The homes are all one or two stories and around fifteen hundred square feet. One of

the most important factors of these homes is that they are built in a hot area with low winds,

making it more difficult than normal to obtain enough renewable energy to not only supply

normal household needs but also cool a house in an above average temperature zone. Each house

has been monitored since their construction to measure their performance. In the first year, the

homes performed within one percent of net-zero. This above zero average occurred because most

homes performed above net-zero and only a few performed below. (Norton) This sort of

feedback is crucial in future planning of homes. The systems used in these homes can be

evaluated on their efficiency and used for future projects. Not all homes will be able to apply to

these practices though. Results will largely depend on the tenants. Larger families that require

larger square footage will use more energy. This does not discount the fact that these are still

ground breaking experiments. These homes will largely impact the construction of residential

homes and could greatly decrease energy usage worldwide. After perfecting the homes with what

is most efficient, the homes will be easily replicable to be built in large, module neighborhoods.

Once on wide scale production, they would become more cost affordable. Not only has this been
done with residential buildings, net-zero construction has been successful in commercial

buildings.

An office building in Seattle Washington was built in compliance with the Living

Building Challenge. The living building challenge is the toughest set of standards regarding eco-

friendly buildings. The founder of the Living Building Challenge said in regard to the Seattle

office building, Washington is the least sunny state in the United States, and this building is still

able to obtain 100 percent solar which shows just how incredible the construction of this

building is. It defeats the odds and is able to be top of its class in energy efficiency. It is

important to note that this is a commercial building and with all of its energy efficient

considerations included, only cost the developers one-fifth above average costs of an office

building of its class (Thomas). Like the homes in Hawaii, the building can serve as a model for

construction in the future. Again, it will not always be possible to be completely net-zero like this

building is. This office complex has no parking lot in order to encourage people to ride bikes and

walk, but in rural areas where people travel far distances to work this would not work.

Regardless, it is still a building at the top of its class and therefor a model for how to

significantly reduce energy use and waste.

You are most probably wondering, how are these net-zero building created? There are so

many different aspects that have to be considered. In the office building in Seattle, one of the

proudest spotlights of the buildings design is the staircase. It was built in a spiral with a giant

hanging chandelier over top which sparkles the light that flows in from the full glass walls. The

idea behind the staircase is that it was designed so beautifully people will avoid the elevator and

take the stairs just to be able to experience walking up it, and apparently, it works. Another

aspect of the buildings design is that it is made entirely of glass. No artificial lighting is needed
inside the building since it is designed so that the sunlight coming in from the glass walls lights

the building all the way to its center. The toilets of the building are not hooked up to the citys

sewer. Instead, the toilets are composting toilets which compost waste to produce agricultural

grade compost. The attention to detail throughout this office space is what makes it known as the

Worlds Greenest Office Building (Thomas). Of course, there were many other factors

considered in its construction, but these were some of the biggest. These do not take into account

the biggest component of energy use though, the HVAC system.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems account for eighty-five to

ninety-five percent of the energy expended in any given building according to the Mark Lentz,

the author of Achieving Net Zero Require Innovative Thinking (Lentz). HVAC systems control

the environment of the room by cooling it, heating it, and controlling the humidity through the

movement and distribution of air inside the room. Just like how there are different models of

cars, there are different models of HVAC systems. Not only are they made for different sizes and

different speeds of changing temperatures, but they are also made to different energy efficiency

standards, some more lenient than others (Servicechamps). With HVAC systems taking up such a

high percentage of energy, they are crucial in replacing in order to ever achieve net-zero. Lentz

believes that with new processes most of that waste can be eliminated or recycled. These new

processes are readily available, but people are unwilling to make the change. As Lentz says, It is

not a lack of technologies or barriers imposed by the laws of thermodynamics that impede our

progress. It is our unwillingness to expand out horizons (Lentz). A study was done at West High

School replacing their HVAC system and energy usage was cut by seventy percent. HVAC

engineers currently model and rate their system by comparing the results to the worst possible

outcome, meaning even poor performance can receive a good score (Lentz). In net-zero
buildings, this sort of engineering is considered inefficient and engineers are using better

systems. Models need to be tested against the best possible outcome so that energy efficient

practices are constantly better themselves by being challenged against higher and higher

standards. The sort of technology used in creating efficient HVAC systems include

evaporation/condensation/freezing/thawing, air-to-air heat-exchange, and thermal and electric

storage (Lentz). HVAC systems often are used for long periods of time and so it is up to

homeowners to start making the transition to more energy efficient systems.

Is Envirornmental Protection Worth the Cost?

80
70
60
50
40
Percent Agree/Disagree 30
20
10
0

Classification

Agree Disagree

It is clear that making net-zero structures

is possible, there are still many problems associated with achieving net-zero. Although the

technology is out there, the real barriers imposed on technological progress are those we impose

ourselves (Lentz). The number one step before net-zero energy efficiency is reached, is to

overcome the obstacle of people. People are so accustomed to their lifestyles, and the energy

they use, that they do not want to make a change. Also, most people do not even realize just how

serious and damaging wasteful energy use is. Once we run out of energy sources such as

petroleum, it is gone for a long time. There is no current way to make more which is why it is so
important not to waste energy. It is also damaging. For instance, when humans burn coal or emit

gas exhaust from their car, the earths atmosphere gets polluted and there is no way to clean it up

(Umbra). Switching to a net-zero lifestyle would decrease these wasteful and damaging ways

humans currently live. A lifestyle change is not the only reason people do not want to switch to

net-zero. In 2014, a survey was done asking Americans if they support environmental protection

despite any costs. The results, pictured to the right, were compiled based on political affiliation

but overall, only fifty-sex percent agree that stricter environmental laws are worth the cost.

Thirty nine percent disagreed, stating that stricter environmental laws cost jobs and hurt the

economy (Drake). For every mining or oil rig job lost though, another will be created for a solar

panel installer or a wind turbine builder. People need a change in mindset through education and

through training individuals for jobs that produce renewable energy sources that can achieve net-

zero lifestyles.

Another problem in reaching net-zero comes from the construction industry, especially in

the case of high-rise, multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs). The current building practices

and codes create many constraints on those trying to build greener structures. Many of the codes

currently in place, and even the ones that were made with the intention of greater energy

efficiency, are impractical and leave room for loose interpretations. Builders of MURBs are

being allowed to take short cuts which undermine the energy efficiency standards. This problem

can be overcome. Through modules and cost-benefit analysis, options to decrease energy (Drak
e)
waste have been discovered (Cianfrone). These options need to be made into strict codes with

more thorough enforcement through inspections.

There is also the problem of how all the renewable energy practices that the world is

currently striving to implement will hold up in future climates. The damage we our doing to our
atmosphere can cause warming climates, but it can also cause more extreme weather and more

frequent storms. A study was done on how current wind and solar energy systems will do in ten

different possible future climate zones. The zones were created based on Global Climate Models

predictions. In half of the climate zones, the renewable energy sources lost their capability to

achieve net-zero. Like the other current problems that are faced while trying to reach net-zero,

this has a solution as well. Photovoltaic systems can be used to overcome this obstacle.

Photovoltaic systems account for hourly building energy loads and therefore are better predictors

for future climates. When tested against future climate zones, these systems show stability. This

is ground breaking technology that will allow for renewable energy sources to be used

consistently throughout the future, without the worry of having to constantly replace and upgrade

the sources. Beside this technology which now allows for long tern wind and solar energy use,

there are also other sources of energy, such as nuclear energy, which would be able to withstand

despite climate variations (Shen and Noam).

Clearly, net-zero construction is possible. It has been proved in both residential and

commercial building. It requires attention to detail in the structure, appliances, and design.

Various components are needed to make energy-efficiency possible, especially keeping an eye on

big energy spenders such as HVAC systems. Although there are problems that are still being

faced, these problems do have solutions. Humans are the biggest problem faced by net-zero. The

first step in achieving net-zero is to change the mindset of people. The best way to do this is

through a mass advocacy campaign. All the regulation in the world will not help if humans do

not think it is for the best, because engineers will still not be taking the initiative to create

innovative processes and builders will still be taking short-cuts to reduce costs. Big media outlets

need to become a source of advocacy to educate the public on not only the damage current
energy usage is causing, but also the solutions to correct it. The United States has already seen

the way media can affect negative habits of humans. Wide spread campaigns attacking tobacco

have decreased smoking rates dramatically. Now, we need the same type of advocacy against

wasting energy. There is some work already being done. For instance, on the USC campus,

Sustainable Carolina works to teach students sustainable practices which decrease energy

footprints. Also, on congested highways, carpool lanes have opened up to encourage commuters

to ride together instead of wasting energy in multiple cars. This type of campaigning needs to be

taken to larger levels. TV channels such as HGTV need to start using energy efficient technology

in the homes they build and broadcast. HGTV has a huge fan base and would be able to influence

many people to desire energy efficient homes. Advocacy groups, which are already created, need

to fund commercials which show the devastating impacts of wasting energy and the benefits of

efficient processes. These will influence homeowners and tenants of commercial buildings to

desire efficient infrastructure. The technology is there, so now it is time to make the public

demand it.
 Citations

"Cars, Trucks, and Air Pollution." Union of Concerned Scientists. N.p., 5 Dec. 2014. Web. 11

Apr. 2017. <http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/vehicles-air-pollution-and-human-

health/cars-trucks-air-pollution#.WO19vIgrJPY>.

Cianfrone, Christian, et al. "Holistic Approach to Achieving Low-Energy, High-Rise Residential

Buildings." Journal of Building Physics, vol. 39, no. 6, May 2016, pp. 522-541.

EBSCOhost, doi:10.1177/1744259115623262.

Drake, Bruce. "How Americans view the top energy and environmental issues." Pew Research

Center. N.p., 15 Jan. 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2017. <http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-

tank/2015/01/15/environment-energy-2/>.

Gallup, Inc. "Worry About U.S. Water, Air Pollution at Historical Lows." Gallup.com. N.p., 13

Apr. 2012. Web. 11 Apr. 2017. <http://www.gallup.com/poll/153875/worry-water-air-

pollution-historical-lows.aspx>.

John H. Cushman Jr., InsideClimate News, Phil McKenna, Sabrina Shankman, Nicholas

Kusnetz, Zahra Hirji, and John H. Cushman Jr. "Is 'Net-Zero' Carbon Goal to Rescue the

Climate Plausible?" Inside Climate News. N.p., 20 Feb. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.

LENTZ, MARK S. "Achieving Net Zero Requires Innovative Thinking." Heating/Piping/Air

Conditioning Engineering, vol. 83, no. 9, Sept. 2011, pp. 10-13. EBSCOhost,

login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db

=a9h&AN=66893138&site=ehost-live.
Norton, Paul, et al. "Evaluation of Model Results and Measured Performance of Net-Zero

Energy Homes in Hawaii." ASHRAE Transactions, vol. 119, no. 2, May 2013, pp. 1-8.

EBSCOhost,login.pallas2.tcl.sc.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dir

ect=true&db=a9h&AN=96045853&site=ehost-live.

Servicechamps. "What Is An HVAC System? | Service Champions." What Is An HVAC System

Comments. Service Champions, 9 Nov. 2015. Web. 11 Apr. 2017.

<https://www.servicechampions.net/what-is-an-hvac-system/>.

Shen, Pengyuan and Noam Lior. "Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts of Present

Renewable Energy Systems Designed for Achieving Net-Zero Energy

Buildings." Energy, vol. 114, Nov. 2016, pp. 1288-1305. EBSCOhost,

doi:10.1016/j.energy.2016.07.078.

Thomas, Samantha. ""World's Greenest Office Building" Makes Net-Zero Look Easy." YES!

Magazine. N.p., 19 Jan. 2015. Web. 28 Feb. 2017.

<http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/world-s-greenest-office-building-makes-net-zero-

look-easy>.

Umbra, Ask. "Umbra on why we shouldnt waste energy." Grist. N.p., 08 Sept. 2005. Web. 11

Apr. 2017. <http://grist.org/article/school2/>.