Energy Efficiency Methods for Sustainable Consumption and Environmental Conservation

This article discusses various energy efficiency methods for sustainable consumption and environmental conservation. Topics include heating and cooling, solar water heater systems, LED light bulbs, solar energy, water tanks and treatments, water conservation measures, and smart devices. The article also includes a case study of a three-bedroom maisonette and recommendations for retrofitting.

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Energy Efficiency Methods
Energy efficiency methods
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Task one
1. Introduction.
Energy is essential in human lives as it gives us light, heat, electricity amongst others.
With ever-advancing population pressure, there is a need for efficient and sustainable
consumption without depleting its sources while conserving the environment as well. Scientists
are researching on game changer technological ideas that will help achieve not only efficiency
and sustainability but also environmental conservation as well. The following are some of the
energy efficiency technological ideas discussed in detail.
1.1 Heating and cooling - self-heating and cooling
mechanism
Heating is the process of increasing the temperature of a room to suit one’s needs while
cooling is the lowering of temperature. Heating can be achieved in several ways such as using
heaters, kilns, blowing hot air in double-walled houses or passing hot water on piped walls. On
the other hand, cooling is achieved by using air conditioners, fans amongst others.
A house can be designed to retain its inner heat during cold season without having to
depend on external heating mechanisms. Such a house is built with a double wall, with space left
in between the walls (Beloglazov et al., 2011). This space is then filled with wool. Wool being a
bad conductor of heat, will prevent excessive heat from penetrating into the house during
summer and hot weather and prevent heat available in the house from leaking outside during
winter and cold weather. This mechanism will help regulate the temperature of a house
throughout the year.

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Additional features, like automatic vents, can be added to regulate temperature and air
circulation.
1.1.1 Environmental impact
This mechanism is safe to the environment as the temperature is naturally and
automatically regulated.
1.1.2 Energy efficiency
It is a very efficient system since it gives an excellent result with no external energy input.
1.1.3 Comparison with old technologies
1. Electric temperature regulators - they include electric heaters for heating and electric fans
for cooling.
Self-temperature regulating
mechanism
Electric regulators
Energy efficiency Highly efficient Moderate efficiency
lifespan Exists as long as the house
exists
Prone to wear and breakdown

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Advantages
● It is clean and green
● No fuel is needed, hence cheap
● No maintenance costs needed
● Reduces pressure on the grid thus reducing carbon emission
Disadvantages
● May not meet individual temperature needs.
1.2 Solar water heater systems
Solar water heating refers to the tapping of heat and light from the sun for heating water
using a solar thermal collector (Lee et al., 2012). Solar water heaters make use of the free solar
energy to heat water rather than sucking electricity for the same purpose.
1.2.1 Environmental impact
Solar water heaters are environmentally friendly as there is no carbon emission. In fact, solar
water heaters indirectly reduce the emission of carbon. As the overreliance on electricity for
heating is reduced, pressure on the use of fossil fuels to generate electricity is significantly
reduced (Ng et al., 2012).

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1.2.2 Energy efficiency
This method of heating is highly efficient compared to wood heating. Nearly 65% of the
sun falling on the surface of the heater is absorbed by the water or the collector fluid.
1.2.3 Comparison with old technologies
1. Electric heating (instant showers) - these are energy-sucking devices made of coils that
electrically heat water instantaneously as it comes out of the shower head (Udipi et al.,
2011).
2. Wood burning - this is where wood is burnt to produce heat for heating water. This
method is outdated but still being used in rural setups, remote areas, and cold regions.
Solar water heater
systems
wood Instant showers
Carbon emission zero High carbon emission High carbon emission
Energy conversion
efficiency
Above 50% Below 50% moderate
Advantages
● It is environmentally friendly.

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● Reduces carbon emission in the atmosphere
● Reduction in electricity bills since electric water heating is out of the equation.
Disadvantages
● The high cost of installation
1.3 Lighting - LED light bulbs.
LED light bulbs are electric devices that generate light from light emitting diodes. Some
LEDs can produce light of up to 300 lumens on a single watt input power. This gives it an
efficiency edge over other available lighting technologies such as fluorescent tubes. LED bulbs
are powered by low voltage dc source. This means that the bulb must contain a circuit for
converting a supply to a desirable dc output. The circuits are made of passive components like
rectifiers, and capacitors as well as active electronic components for stabilizing the output of the
bulb (Xiao et al, 2013).
1.3.1 Environmental impact
Research and laboratory experiments show an incredible performance of vegetable and
ornamental plants production under lighting from LEDs. Assessment of certain plant species
such as lettuce, basil, marigold amongst others in greenhouses to ensure improvement in biomass
and quality of biochemical components has proven successful. This is because LEDs generate
light efficiently at red and blue wavelengths which are desired for high quality and quality
greenhouse production within the shortest time.

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Similarly, due to their long lifespan, the quantity of waste bulbs has significantly reduced
in the dumping sites. This is good for the environment.
1.3.2 Energy efficiency
LED lamps consume about 75% less energy compared to their incandescent counterparts.
This percentage efficiency, in the long run, will ensure significant energy savings. The energy
saved can be used for other things rather than being wasted in energy-sucking incandescent bulbs
(Xiao et al, 2013).
1.3.3 Comparison with old technologies
1. Incandescent lamps - they have a resistive filament that glows when current is passed
through.
2. Compact fluorescent lamps - here, current flows through a mercury vapor to release UV
light which is absorbed by a phosphor coating to glow.
3. Halogen lamps - are high-pressure lamps majorly used for outdoor lightings such as
street lighting and security lighting.
LED Incandescent
lamps
Halogen lamps CFL
Retail price $2.5 $0.5 $1.15 $1

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Lumens per watt 98.1 14.5 17.1 56.1
Durability
(hours)
Approx. 17000 Approx. 1000 Approx. 1000 Approx. 10000
Power rating
(watts)
8.3 60 43 14
Advantages
● Reduction of cost of energy since they use 75% less energy compared to incandescent.
● Produces negligible heat
● Lasts long
● Reduction in maintenance costs due to a longer lifespan
● Perfect quality of color
● A higher power factor of about 0.7
Disadvantages
● Prone to flickering due to a fluctuation of dc power input.
● There efficiency and durability are reduced by elevated temperatures.

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● Due to long lifespan, the replacement market is diminished, thus affecting manufacturers.
1.4 Energy sources - solar energy
Solar energy refers to the energy from the sun in form of sunlight. Solar insolation per
day varies from region to region with the season, weather and latitudinal position. Regions along
the equator receive adequate sunlight throughout the year (Han et al., 2013).
1.4.1 Environmental impact
Solar energy has proven to be environmentally friendly, clean and green since it has no
known gaseous emissions into the atmosphere.
1.4.2 Energy efficiency
Solar energy is natural and free, unlike fuel which is purchased at a cost.
1.4.3 Comparison with other technologies
Solar wood coal
Fuel free purchased purchased
Carbon emission zero Emits carbon Emits carbon
Advantages
● It is clean and green

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● Cheaper cost of maintenance
● Help reduce pressure on the grid, thus reducing carbon emission
● Higher efficiency than gas thermal stations
● Energy can be stored in batteries
● Surplus can be sold to the grid
Disadvantages
● Lower efficiency compared to many conventional methods.
1.5 Solar panels and electricity storage
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. Technologies are frequently being
developed and improved by scientists to tap maximum solar energy. Conversion of solar energy
to electricity require solar photovoltaic modules. PV modules are made up of numerous diodes
that convert sunlight to electricity (Chua et al., 2013).
Batteries are connected to the solar panels for storing surplus electricity to be used at
night. Batteries provide energy sustainability as well as electricity independence to the
household.
1.5.1 Environmental impact
Generation of electricity using solar panels is clean with zero carbon emissions. Solar
panels averagely have a lifespan of 20years. Solar panel and battery wastes can be taken for

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recycling, rather than dumping (Buyya et al., 2010). These wastes are very hazardous and
harmful to both humans and the environment.
1.5.2 Energy efficiency
With more research and technological advancements, solar panel efficiency is on the rise,
enabling users to get value for their money.
1.5.3 Comparison with old technologies
Solar panel Wind turbine petroleum
sustainability Highly sustainable Prone to fluctuations non-sustainable
Carbon emission Zero emission zero Emits carbon
Advantages
● Environmental friendly (zero air pollution)
● Cheaper cost of maintenance
● Help reduce pressure on the grid, thus reducing carbon emission
● Higher efficiency than gas thermal stations
● Energy can be stored in batteries

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● Surplus can be sold to the grid
Disadvantages
● Battery wastes contain lead which is poisonous
1.6 Water tanks and water treatments
Water tanks are used for harvesting rainwater as well as storing water. Harvesting
rainwater reduces reliance on billed water. The rainwater is not safe for drinking or cooking the
way it is without treatment (Oh et al., 2011). Water treatment involving filtration, water
softening and the addition of chlorine can be done in the storage tanks.
1.6.1 Environmental impact
Harvesting and storing rainwater reduces surface runoff which in turn blocks or reduce
soil erosion. Similarly, harvested water can be used to water tree seedlings and plants.
1.6.2 Efficiency
Harvesting and treating water domestically is cost efficient as there is a reduction in the
bills from water company (Berl et al., 2010).

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1.6.3 Comparison with old technologies
Harvested water Billed water
cost cheaper costlier
reliability Reliable due to storage unreliable
Advantages
● Reduction in water bills
● Surplus can be sold to generate income
Disadvantages
● High initial cost
1.7 Water conservation measures, e.g. reusing and
recycling
Water conservation is among the sustainable development goals proposed by United
Nations. Examples of water conservation practices include recycling and reusing. Wastewater
from the kitchen or bathrooms can be domestically recycled and used in the toilet of for cleaning.

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1.7.1 Environmental impact
Water conservation measures like recycling and reusing are environmentally friendly.
Only poisonous wastewater from industrial effluents should be properly treated before releasing
into the environment (Duflou et al., 2012).
1.7.2 Efficiency
Wastage reduction translates to a better cost efficiency, due to reduced bills.
Advantages
● Reduction in water bills
● Improved utility efficiency
Disadvantages
● The water may not be safe for drinking or cooking.
● Poisonous waste water e.g. from industrial effluents cannot be conserved
1.8 Smart devices - smart automatic system
Smart devices are electronic devices connected wirelessly to other devices or to other
networks (Li et al., 2011). A smart automatic system consists of bulbs, locks, cameras, alarms,
locks etc. that are wirelessly connected together via a computer or a smartphone. They use
various sensors such as motion sensor, used for commanding light bulbs, just to mention but one.

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1.8.1 Environmental impact
Smart devices don’t have any negative effects on the environment. The wireless
radiations are within a frequency spectrum that is friendly (Feng et al., 2013).
1.8.2 Energy efficiency
Smart devices help regulate physical parameters like temperature, thus greatly
contributing to energy conservation and boosting overall efficiency.
Advantages
● Conserves energy
● Reduces energy bills disadvantages
● The high cost of installation
Task two
The house is a three-bedroom maisonette, with brick walls, wooden floor, wooden doors
and clay-tile roofing. The house is located in a rural set up with trees covering the homestead.
The house is located on the northwestern side of the compound. These means the southeastern
side is well exposed to the sun - ideal for tapping solar energy or setting up a glasshouse. The
landscape is a nearly flat land covered with grass.
The location of the house in the homestead enables the house to catch maximum sunlight
throughout the day, thus reducing the need for light bulbs during the day. The floor of the house
is covered in wood, thus keeps the house warmer during winter.

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One of the things poorly done in the house that retrofitting can’t correct is the small
window size, which limits light entry into some rooms.
Task three
Lighting - LED light bulbs.
The house still uses incandescent lamps for lighting despite their poor efficiency, I would
the, therefore, commend the full use of LEDs. LED lamps to consume about 75% less energy
compared to their incandescent counterparts (Joung et al., 2013).
Solar panels and electricity storage
The house is strategically positioned for the maximum tapping of sunlight, with one of
the roofs facing the southeastern direction. This entire roof is covered with solar panels would
generate enough electricity to energize the house. The entire energy bill would be scrapped off.
For instance, if the household consumes an average of 7.5kWh of electricity daily, translating to
225kWh per month and the unit is $0.1 then the amount saved per month would be
$22.5.
Solar water heater systems
In addition to solar panels, solar water heater systems can be added to heat water using
the abundant sun’s heat. If the instant heater consumes 3kWh of electricity daily, 90kWh
monthly and a unit costs $0.1 then $9 would be saved monthly.

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