How Low Building Standards Result in High Consumption of Energy Essay Example
How Low Building Standards Result in High Consumption of Energy Essay Example

How Low Building Standards Result in High Consumption of Energy Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (1008 words)
  • Published: April 21, 2022
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The current housing policies require specific building codes that allow for efficient use of energy. It is believed that the major consumers of energy are the residential and commercial sectors (Balachandra et al. 2010). It is, therefore, important to regulate the amount and type of energy used for various appliances, installed equipment, lighting, among other uses and in reference to the effects on the climate. Some stakeholders in the process are the International Organization for Standardization, which emphasizes on sustainable energy in the future. Energy determines the accomplishment of human needs through the ability to process the available resources into usable forms. Therefore, there is need to access and maintain clean, affordable, as well as renewable sources.

From analytical data, over 85% of the world’s energy requirements are met from fossils such as coal, natural gas, and oils. Consequently, the energy re

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quirements are on the increase globally. To offset the predicted rate and reduce carbon dioxide emission rates, the governments have been adamant while establishing applicable, as well as practical standards from an international perspective to create awareness of housing practices. Upon the adoption of the policies, the government, the businesses and the consumers can increase their energy efficiency, improve performance, most importantly, reduce the operating costs with the use of renewable sources. Proper implementation and management of these standards can result in a positive trend on about 60% of the total world’s energy by 2050, hence, becoming a long-term energy solution (Zakkour et al. 2012).

Most developing countries such as Jamaica are already moving towards the sustainable energy future. This move was observed since the launching of ISO 50001:2011, which incorporated the Energy conservation management system

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and details the requirements and guidance for proper use. The Jamaican National Energy Policy (JNEP) of between 2009 and 2030 has already laid a strong foundation that would ensure that the country achieves its goals by 2030 (Zakkour et al. 2012). Just like in many other areas, the development of the building practices has been said to be modern, effective, diversified, as well as environmentally sustainable forms of energy providing which provides affordable energy supplies that have long? Term security. It is further supported by most informed public or governmental organs on energy and the appropriate policies and the institutional framework. These policies aim at facilitating the establishment of the most comprehensive programs for the efficient improvement and diversification of energy. The implementation process involves the private as well as the public sectors. Nevertheless, it is vital to understand the efforts required as adequate funding is an important driver for enabling success.

The sustainable energy requirements mainly affect the low income earners due to the low building practices or standards. This challenge is posed by the incremental costs whereby the companies and organizations involved in the projects focus on the construction costs only rather than the progressive or running costs. Once the constructors put in place the housing facilities, the incoming occupants may not be able to settle the huge bills which are reflected by their lifestyle costs (Chwieduk, 2013). However, the designers and constructors greatly benefit from the huge profits they make at the cost of the buyers.

Consequently, some physical or environmental resources affect sustainable energy use. They include rivalry between different stakeholders such as the designers or constructors, the consumers, and the financial institutions

such as the banks. The designers may not care about the running costs as long as they successfully install the facilities while the banks become reluctant in funding the projects by fearing losses that would arise from the inability of the consumers to pay for the maintenance costs. In addition, some investors and occupants are excluded from the project developments whereas some areas are segregated on the basis of being short-term investments or occupations, that is, the excludability as well as distribution factors.

The above mentioned problem poses a remedy to the health complications that may arise from the emission of the greenhouse gases. The emissions result in increased carbon dioxide that causes air pollution and consequently, global warming (Dincer, 2011). Therefore, promoting measures that would limit these adverse effects would be helpful in reducing the health related burdens and deaths. Besides, desirable monitoring processes are important in order to ensure a smooth transition towards the low-emission building energy technology (Sengers et al. 2012). However, low income earners are always at risk of missing the chances to improved energy due to inefficient distribution, high costs of installation and maintenance, and lack of commitment by the agencies involved in the constructions and the banking sector.

If such problems are not addressed effectively, the communities, especially those living in poverty, will continue using the fossil fuels that continue to risk their health standards. The environments within the living rooms are important aspects that help in reducing the costs that would have otherwise been undertaken while curing diseases (Chu & Majumdar, 2010). Also, the operational costs at home will remain high, leading to increased utility bills. These utility bills may

arise from the water sources, high transport costs, and the macro-infrastructural requirements. All in all, the consumption of fuels and water in poor households is seen to be disproportionately high when related to their level of income. It is observed the households spend more than 20% of their income on energy, meaning that it becomes difficult for them to sustainably maintain their livelihood (Chu & Majumdar, 2012).

References

  1. Balachandra, P., Nathan, H. S. K., & Reddy, B. S. (2010). Commercialization of sustainable energy technologies. Renewable Energy, 35(8), 1842-1851.
  2. Zakkour, P. D., Gaterell, M. R., Griffin, P., Gochin, R. J., & Lester, J. N. (2012). Developing a sustainable energy strategy for a water utility. Part II: a review of potential technologies and approaches. Journal of environmental Management, 66(2), 115-125.
  3. Chu, S., & Majumdar, A. (2012). Opportunities and challenges for a sustainable energy future. Nature, 488(7411), 294-303.
  4. Sengers, F., Raven, R. P., & Van Venrooij, A. H. T. M. (2010). From riches to rags: Biofuels, media discourses, and resistance to sustainable energy technologies. Energy Policy, 38(9), 5013-5027.
  5. Dincer, I. (2011). Renewable energy and sustainable development: a crucial review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 4(2), 157-175.
  6. Chwieduk, D. (2013). Towards sustainable-energy buildings. Applied energy,76(1), 211-217.
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