Analysis and Recommendations for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

This report examines household greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, focusing on transport, air travel, heating and cooling, hot water, lighting, and appliances. The analysis reveals significant contributions from transport, energy consumption, and lifestyle choices. The report recommends specific strategies to reduce emissions, including utilizing public transport, employing energy-efficient appliances, improving insulation, and optimizing heating and cooling systems. It provides detailed recommendations for each area, including specific technologies and practices, and quantifies the potential emission reductions. The report emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices, eco-friendly choices, and lifestyle changes for a greener future. The conclusion highlights the impact of these changes on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting a sustainable environment.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions 1
PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY; GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSION
By (Name)
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Introduction
Australian households contribute at least a fifth of the national greenhouse emissions.
These emissions are mainly generated from transport, appliances, heating and cooling and waste.
The greenhouse gases are produced from burning oil, gases, consuming electricity produced
from natural gas, oil or coal, burning gasoline while driving and the lifestyle choices made by the
individuals in the household. By employing appropriate strategies on these stated needs, a
household can significantly reduce the emissions, becoming more environmentally friendly and
cutting costs incurred due to these expenses (Akter & Bennett, 2011).

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Transport
The existing household has small 4 cars that travels an annual mileage of 15000km to
access their workplaces in Melbourne CBD although they can easily be accessed by public
transport.
Fig. 1. Transport GHG emissions of existing house
These results to 15.100 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) as shown in the above
photo. For a more sustainable living for the existing household, the following recommendations
should be implemented
Recommendations
 The household should adopt the use of public transport to commute to work at Melbourne
CBD. It is an eco-friendly alternative to all the four occupants of the house each using
their own vehicle to go to work.

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 The household can have one low-emission vehicle for purposes of travelling long
distances and commuting to work. The car should be running efficiently e.g., maintaining
the tyres at their proper inflation which improves the gas mileage by up to three percent
(Akter & Bennett, 2011).
 The car model should be a newer model (2014- to date) equipped with sustainable
technology.
 Alternative means of transport such as bicycles should be used for short distances.
 The annual distance covered by the vehicles should be reduced from 15000km to
10000km since it will be used as a complimentary system to public transport.
The following are the total GHG emissions from the household once the recommendations are
implemented:
Fig. 2. Transport GHG emissions of improved house

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Air travel
The household travels once a year and the GHG emissions are only 0.106:
Fig. 3. Air Travel GHG emissions of existing house
Recommendations
No major changes should be made since there are low emissions from the flights taken; thus the
household members maintain a sustainable air travel culture.

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Heating and cooling
The floor and roof
The following are the GHG emissions produced by the floor and roof:
Fig. 4. Floor and roof specifications of existing house
Since the building has been constructed, very minimal can be done to reduce the GHG
emissions.
Heating system

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The heating system of the existing household is natural gas fuelled, ducted with poor
condition and low maintenance. The system runs daily from 6pm to 12am during the winter in
the bedrooms and the lounge even though everyone stays in the Living room from 6 pm to 10 pm
before going to sleeping chambers. The thermostat is set at 20_C. This has resulted in very high
greenhouse gas emissions.
Fig. 5. Heating requirements of existing house
Recommendations
 The mechanical heating system should be replaced with highly rated heat shifters and
solar air heaters which can be boosted by highly rated gas heating (Norman & Kennedy,
2006). A high green energy rating should be used for the newer and more updated heating
system, preferably a 5 or 6 star rating.
 The heating systems should be turned off in the lounge area once everyone goes to their
bedrooms at 10pm whereas in the bedrooms, they should be preheated preferably from

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9pm before the occupants use them. In addition, the recommended set temperature of
15°C should be adhered to by the occupants after 10pm.
 The duct system should be revamped and undergo regular tests and inspections to ensure
it is in good condition at all times.
The following are the results once the recommendations are implemented:
Fig. 6. Heating requirements of improved house
Cooling system

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The cooling system of the exiting household is non-ducted air conditioning, which is very
old, works for two hours during the day and two hours at night and is used in the bedrooms and
the lounge during the summer.
Fig. 7. Cooling system specifications of existing house
Recommendations
 The cooling system of the building should be replaced with a highly rated and efficient
fan which can be boosted by highly rated air conditioning systems that are only switched
on only when deemed necessary such as during the summer.

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 The cooling system of the building should be replaced with a highly rated and efficient
fan which can be boosted by highly rated air conditioning systems that are only switched
on only when deemed necessary such as during the summer.
Fig. 8. Cooling system specifications of improved house
Openings: Windows and door design

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The windows are aluminium framed, with single clear glazing and have Holland blinds
and no external shading. There are large gaps between the window frames and the walls. The
building also has two exhaust fans in the kitchen and the bedroom which are not sealed.
Fig. 9. Window specifications of existing house
Recommendations
 All the gaps between the frames and the walls should be properly sealed by use of
window and door seals or draught excluders including; strips of self-adhesive foam or
metal or plastic strip with attached wipers or brushes (Norman & Kennedy, 2006). The
large gaps allow draught to enter the room which brings in cold air and results in wastage
of heat.

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 The windows should be given additional glazing (double glazing) to reduce heat loss
during the winter thus reducing heating costs. It is recommended to add another layer of
glazing with an air space in between to act as the insulation layer.
 The Holland blinds should have external shading to reduce heat gains and preferably
have an extra layer of insulation which is useful during the winter.
 The large west window should have solar shading since it is located along the direct sun
path to minimise solar heat gains. Solar shading devices are instrumental in minimising
the direct solar heat gains especially for the existing house since it has very large
windows. Large unshaded openings result to high direct solar heat gains which results to
more air conditioning and cooling systems thus high energy bills (Stanley, et al., 2011).
The following are the results once the recommendations are implemented:
Fig. 10. Window specifications of improved house