Principles of Sustainability: Detailed Residence Analysis Report

This report presents a detailed analysis of a residence's sustainability, focusing on its environmental impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and other ecological factors. The analysis utilizes the Australian Greenhouse Gas calculator to evaluate existing data and recommend improvements. The report examines various aspects of the residence, including the transport system, heating and cooling systems, hot water systems, lighting, and appliances. It provides a graphical comparison of the existing and proposed systems, offering specific recommendations such as using alternative transportation methods, improving insulation, replacing inefficient appliances with energy-efficient models, and reducing overall energy consumption. The final outcomes demonstrate the potential for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a move towards a more sustainable living environment. The report also includes a comprehensive bibliography of relevant research.

Running head: PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
Principles of Sustainability
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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Table of Contents
Introduction:....................................................................................................................................2
Analysis and recommendation for transport system:.......................................................................3
Analysis and recommendation for heating and cooling system:.....................................................6
Analysis and recommendation for Hot water system:...................................................................11
Analysis and recommendation for lighting and refrigerator:........................................................15
Analysis and recommendation for other equipments and facilities:..............................................17
Final outcomes after changes:.......................................................................................................19
Bibliography..................................................................................................................................21

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Introduction:
Sustainability of a residence can be described as a collective operational system including all the
necessary components to run a households that have a huge impact on the environment in terms
of Green House Emission, Waste and other ecological factors. The study is conducted through
utilising the Australian Greenhouse Gas calculator with details data insertion and analysis
process. At the initial stage the existing data of the given resident will be presented and in the
second stage the recommended settings and potential data will be presented accordingly.
Collective presentation of existing data:
Figure 1: Graphical comparison of GHG emission from the residence

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Figure 2: Record of GHG emission by the residence
As per the above figures, it is visible that the existing emission level of this residence is highly
greater that the Green Household’s standard and even higher than average household. From the
record of the greenhouse emission, it can be found that the large amount of carbon dioxide is
emitted through transport system, heating and cooling system, hot water system, refrigerator and
lighting.
Analysis and recommendation for transport system:

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Figure 3: Transportation of the residents
From the above data, it is clear that 4 individual vehicle for 4 individual member are causing
excessive amount of carbon emission. Along with that, all cars are petrol powered which is
contributing additionally to the overall air pollution and carbon emission.
Figure 4: Air travel of the residents
The air transportation is significantly high therefore, in this section no changes are required.
However in the regular transportation system many positive changes can be made. All 4
members can use 2 cars alternatively. Additionally, using 2 Natural Gas powered light weight

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CNG engine car can be very beneficial to minimise the total carbon emission because of the
transportation practice. However, alternatively they can travel by public transport using low
powered tram and Suburban bases regularly.
Figure 5: Proposed transportation of the residents
Figure 6: Proposed Public Transportation of the residents

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Analysis and recommendation for heating and cooling system:
Figure 7: Building components
Figure 8: Windows of the residents

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Figure 9: Walls of the residents
Figure 10: Air leakage of the residents

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Figure 11: Heat system of the residents
Figure 12: Air heating and cooling system
From the above figures it is clear that the house does not have any insulation system for floor and
wall except the attic. It causing more temperature release from the internal thermodynamic
procedures from various rooms. At the same time, the external door’s frame have large gap that
is allowing the hot air to pass through it and causing additional emission because of that gap.
Apart from that, the heating and the cooling systems are very old and are not under popper

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maintenance. Apart from that, these machines have only 1 stare rating of energy usage which is
indicating very poor mechanical efficiency. All of these issues are causing huge amount of GHG
emission.
Some changes can be made in the floor and in the wall by making at least R1.5 insulation. Apart
from that, the large cap can be closed and weather stripped frame can be installed to reduce the
GHG emission significantly. Along with this all heater and air conditioner can be replaced by at
least 4 star standard equipments ensuring appropriate maintenance procedure. Through this new
installation the effective emission can be reduced significantly.
Figure 13: Proposed changes in Floor and roof

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Figure 14: Proposed changes in air leakage
Figure 15: Proposed changes in heating system

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Figure 16: Proposed changes in air heating and cooling system
Analysis and recommendation for Hot water system:
Figure 17: Existing hot water system

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Figure 18: Existing washing machine
Figure 19: Existing Dishwasher

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Figure 20: Existing Bathing Practice
From the report of existing hot water usage and installed equipments it is clear that all the
systems including the Washing machine, Dish washer, Hot water supply systems are very old
and are not under popper maintenance. Apart from that, these machines have only 1 stare rating
of energy usage which is indicating very poor mechanical efficiency. However, there is no
changed required for the bathing practice and water usage.
Therefore as the other equipments Washing machine, Dish washer, Hot water supply systems
can be replaced by at least 4 star standard equipments ensuring appropriate maintenance
procedure. Through this new installation, the effective emission can be reduced significantly.

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Figure 21: Proposed changes in Washing Machine
Figure 22: Proposed changes in Dishwasher

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Analysis and recommendation for lighting and refrigerator:
Figure 23: Existing lighting system
Figure 24: Existing refrigerator
As per the existing use of light, it is clear that 18 halogen lights of 40 watts are excessive
to make proper light facility in the selected premise. Therefore, the halogen lights can be
replaced with the LED lights and the lights count can be also reduced from 18 to 13 to reduce the
total thermal emission as well as the electric consumption. Similarly the refrigerator system can
be replaced with newer 5 star version to reduce direct and indirect emission.

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Figure 25: Proposed lighting system
Figure 26: Proposed Refrigerator

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Analysis and recommendation for other equipments and facilities:
Figure 27: Main cooking system
Figure 28: Optional cooking system

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Figure 29: Existing Computer Usage
Figure 30: Existing TV Usage
As per the above calculation it can be said that the cooking and the electronics
equipments do not contribute significantly in the green house emission, Therefore, these
equipments do not need any significant changes to minimise the overall GHG emission.

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Final outcomes after changes:
Figure 31: Graphical comparison of GHG emission after alteration
Figure 32: Records of GHG emission after alteration

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From the above final outcome it is visible that the total GHG emission can be reduced
significantly even bellow the average household standards. However, due to the structure of the
house and the number of the member other changes cannot be made initially. However, for long
run further changes can be incorporated.

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Bibliography
Byun, J., Hong, I., Lee, B. and Park, S., 2013. Intelligent household LED lighting system
considering energy efficiency and user satisfaction. IEEE Transactions on Consumer
Electronics, 59(1), pp.70-76.
Czerski, G. and Strugała, A., 2014. The Energy Efficiency of Hot Water Production by Gas
Water Heaters with a Combustion Chamber Sealed with Respect to the Room. Water, 6(8),
pp.2394-2411.
Ehsani, M., Gao, Y., Longo, S. and Ebrahimi, K., 2018. Modern electric, hybrid electric, and
fuel cell vehicles. CRC press.
Nethaji, N. and Mohideen, S.T., 2017. Energy conservation in domestic refrigerators by cooling
compressor shell–A case study. Case studies in thermal engineering, 10, pp.382-387.
Pintér, L., Hardi, P., Martinuzzi, A. and Hall, J., 2018. Bellagio STAMP: Principles for
sustainability assessment and measurement. In Routledge Handbook of Sustainability Indicators
(pp. 51-71). Routledge.
Saman, W.Y., 2013. Towards zero energy homes down under. Renewable Energy, 49, pp.211-
215.
Sivak, M., 2013. Air conditioning versus heating: climate control is more energy demanding in
Minneapolis than in Miami. Environmental Research Letters, 8(1), p.014050.

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