Did you know that heating and cooling account for 50% to 70% of the Energy used in an average home? In 1992, the United Nations Framework Convention on Global Warming and Climate Change was enacted. The policy was designed to bring together world nations in a global initiative that fought to reduce greenhouse gases based on a scientific consensus. Read more on Climate Change.
Global Warming and Climate Change
In 1995, the first UNFCCC Conference of the Parties was held in Berlin, Germany. World leaders and other stakeholders met and discussed issues surrounding the capabilities of world nations to mitigate the emission of green gases. At the event, concerns were raised regarding the country’s ability to meet commitments and joint measures in international Global Warming and climate change.
In 1996, the second Conference of the Parties (COP) was held in Geneva, Switzerland. At the conference, world leaders accepted the United States’ position statement. It was presented by Timothy Wirth, a former Under Secretary for Global Affairs for the United States Department of State. Some of the key points that were highlighted in the statement include:
- The acceptance of scientific findings on Global Warming and Climate ChangeAs provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Global Warming and Climate Change.
- The rejection of harmonised policies and the upholding of flexibility
- The set up of legally binding midterm goals and milestones
Global Warming Climate Change Meetings
Since then, the Global Warming Climate Change meeting –COP – has been held annually to create awareness about Global Warming, Climate Change, and its long-term effects.
In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan and entered into force in 2005. Currently, 192 countries are parties to the Protocol. Canada withdrew in December 2012. The objective of the Kyoto Protocol is to help in the fight against greenhouse emissions and reduce their concentration in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropocentric interference with the Global Weather System.
The Protocol is based on the assumption that global nations have played a part in greenhouse emissions through industrial progress, deforestation, burning fossil fuels and greenhouse farming. As such, they must develop measures that reduce the current levels of greenhouse gases.
Green House Emissions
Scientists have discovered that most greenhouse gases, such as methane, carbon dioxide, and nitrous oxide, exist in the atmosphere naturally. Over the years, the concentration of greenhouse gases has risen to dangerous levels due to increased industrial activity, deforestation, and increased use of fossil fuels and coal.
Due to laxity among nations in implementing measures to reduce greenhouse emissions, concentration is expected to increase over the following centuries.
Global leaders, climate experts, and other stakeholders have debated Global Warming and Climate Change. The main factors contributing to Global Warming are the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices.
An IPCC report states that “the anthropogenic emissions of these gases have contributed 80% of the additional climate forcing due to greenhouse gases since pre-industrial times.”
Indeed, human activity has mainly contributed to the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. To mitigate the long-term effects of climate change, governments and other stakeholders need to step in and establish strict measures.
Some of the measures that governments and other stakeholders need to establish include the following:
- Education and training on the negative impact of human activity and its contribution towards global warming and climate change
- Adoption and implementation of technologies designed to lower energy consumption and eliminate the burning or use of fossil fuels
The burning of Fossil Fuels and Global Warming
Climate experts have discovered that burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and poor agricultural practices result in the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. At the moment, there are 1.2 billion vehicles. These vehicles are designed to consume gasoline or diesel.
Gasoline has a high boiling point, producing less carbon dioxide and other emissions. The problem is that gasoline-powered cars account for more than 80% of the 1.2 billion cars on roads worldwide.
Due to the high number of gasoline-powered vehicles, their emissions harm the atmosphere and the climate. The other 20% comprises diesel-powered cars, hybrids, and electric cars. Diesel has a low boiling point, so it does not burn entirely during combustion. As a result, diesel vehicles generate a high volume of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other dangerous gases into the atmosphere, increasing Global Warming and Climate Change.
Results in High Concentration of Green House Gases in the Atmosphere Leading to Global Warming and Climate Change
When it comes to energy efficiency, governments and other stakeholders have set up measures to reduce energy use. This has helped reduce greenhouse emissions, which are contributed mainly by burning fossil fuel and coal to produce Energy and heat in residential and commercial buildings worldwide.
Today, leaders in Europe and the United Kingdom have established strict measures against coal burning to generate electricity. Apart from that, they have found charging points across the continent which enable electric car owners to charge their vehicles.
When it comes to electricity consumption in homes, not only have electricity providers initiated smart meters, but they have encouraged the installation of LED bulbs and the use of energy-efficient electrical devices.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency Is Crucial to Global Warming and Climate Change
Apart from the above energy-efficient measures, governments and other stakeholders have advocated installing insulation in residential and commercial buildings. There are numerous benefits property owners can gain from installing insulation.
They include personal comfort, thermal performance, condensation control, sound control, and fire protection. Thermal insulating materials are manufactured from foam, fibreglass, mineral wool and other materials.
Thanks to the above materials, the escape of heat from the building’s interior is reduced. As a result, building occupants don’t have to spend more energy running heaters to keep the interior warm. This helps to reduce the operating costs of the building for its entire life.
Due to this, the building will become more affordable, its value will increase per square meter, and the comfort of the occupants will be enhanced. Thanks to the implementation of energy-efficient measures and insulation, building owners can better reduce greenhouse emissions and global climate change.
Greenhouse emissions can be reduced by 707,460 million kg a year. This is equivalent to the annual power/electricity used in over 90 million homes.
Where To Add Insulation
If you have an older home, it’s probably high time to consider insulation. Insulation helps reduce energy consumption in your building, lowering your energy bills. It will enhance comfort in your home, and the insulation will pay for itself in a few years. This is the same for newer homes too.
To know if your home is adequately insulated, hire a certified and experienced Roof Insulation Installer. After agreeing upon the charges, the first step they will take is to carry out an insulation check.
In this article, improving energy efficiency via the installation of Roof Insulation in residential and commercial buildings will be addressed. Furthermore, the report will clearly explain how Insulation can help in the reduction of Greenhouse emissions which in turn mitigates global climate change.
Information revealed by a home energy audit includes:
- Is your home appropriately insulated or not?
- The thickness of insulation and R-value. Type of insulation installed.
- Areas that you should add insulation include:
- Walls – insulation of your exterior walls is highly recommended. In this case, homeowners should opt for blow-in insulation. This will ensure proper air sealing. Furthermore, contractors can add it without disturbing the finished area. If you are building a traditional framed house, opt for wall sheathing, not wood sheathing. This has been found to improve the R-value of your home.
- Basement – basement insulation is usually done on the external walls. As a result, it helps to reduce heat loss, minimise thermal bridging, protect damp-proof coating, protect against moisture intrusion and lower chances of condensation on the floor surface. Perfect insulation for the basement includes a blanket, foam board, loose-fill, sprayed foam and insulating concrete forms.
- Floors – the first step to insulating your floor is sealing all possible sources of air leakage. This is true primarily if the floor is located above the unheated garage. As a result, it will minimise the flow of contaminants, such as car exhaust. It will also prevent cold air from the garage from flowing into the house.
- Attic-In most homes, loose-fill insulation is used rather than batt insulation. This is because it is affordable. Before the installation is done, experts will seal all leaks and make repairs to the roof. The other installation will be completed to the air seal, knee walls and air decking, which provides additional storage space for your hot water tank.
Types Of Energy Efficient Insulation For Homes
There are many types of Home Insulation products for homes. However, not all insulation products are equal.
Think Pink Aerolite Insulation
Think Pink Aerolite is one of the most advanced insulation products for roofs. With the new Aerolite insulation being bio-soluble and manufactured with the new TEL Fiberizing technology, the insulation is the market leader.
Aerolite is the only insulation material specified for hospitals, schools and clinics. With the high R-value and non-combustible properties, the Aerolite insulation will reduce heat flow in or out of the roof space by as much as 90%. Tests have shown that Aerolite insulation costs will be recovered in 2 – 3 years on energy saving alone.
Knauf Ecose Insulation
Following closely behind the Aerolite is the Knauf Ecose insulation. Imported from Germany, the Ecose is very similar to Aerolite. However, the significant difference is the softness of the insulation. As a result of the vegetable binder, the insulation can break apart easily when installed or moving the insulation.
Isotherm Insulation
Rating. Isotherm was great; however, recently, the Isotherm Insulation opted to drop the SABS. So this is a concern as the product has become inconsistent, and the R-values have changed.
Double-Glazed Window Benefits
- Windows – 60% of a building’s Energy is lost through windows. To decrease carbon dioxide emissions and save Energy, hire contractors to install one of the following options: window glazing or glass fibre-reinforced polyester window frames.
- Double Glazed windows will reduce heat flow by as much as 70%.
Foundation Insulation
Foundation – an adequately insulated foundation helps lower heating costs but enhances comfort and prevents insect infestation and moisture problems, among others. If you are constructing a new home, use insulating concrete blocks. Remember to consult certified experts regarding available insulation materials for your foundation.
When To Insulate
By now, you already know the areas of your home where you need to insulate to lower heat and cooling costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere. To ensure enhanced comfort in your home, plan when to insulate. Energy experts say the best time to insulate your home or commercial building is under construction.
During construction, your home is a basic bone structure. Furthermore, it lowers the cost of procuring insulation materials. When combined with a good design, especially passive heating and cooling, your home or office will remain comfortable all year round, regardless of the climate.
In the US and South Africa, different states have minimum energy efficiency standards, especially for new buildings and extensions. Following the minimum requirements will ensure you comply, especially with a home energy audit.
Factors To Consider When Selecting Roof Insulation
Time
The first factor you need to consider is the time, especially the day, week or month of the year. Different regions experience different climate patterns. Some areas experience four seasons – spring, winter, summer, and autumn, while other regions experience only one or two climate patterns. Why?
The best time when you can insulate is summer. If your area experiences extended hotter months, the best time to insulate is before the hotter months start. This is the same if you reside in an area where temperatures drop, resulting in winter.
During this season, the weather will be predominantly dry unless you reside in the tropics. Furthermore, it allows you to find a licensed and certified contractor before other homeowners start scrambling as winter approaches.
Cost
Roof Insulation materials are very affordable. Cost is affected by time too. If you hire a contractor a few days after summer starts, installation costs will be less than hiring the same contractor a month into winter.
Why? Many people have developed a habit of hiring contractors to make last-minute repairs. This means that there will be a high demand for contractors, thus increasing the cost of labour. Another factor you should consider when it comes to cost is hiring a contractor at a time when your energy cost savings increase.
Ease of installation
Although the easiest time to install thermal insulation is when the building is being constructed, older homes need insulation. If your home is older, then retrofitting is the only solution. The problem is different areas of your home require different insulating materials. For example, the interior walls can be insulated using blankets, while the exterior walls can be installed with additional material. This is the same for ceilings, floors, the attic, the foundation, and the windows.
When it comes to retrofitting insulation, a lot of work must be done. The first step a contractor will take is to conduct an inspection. This will provide a clear picture of the expected work that must be done. As a result, the contractor will advise you on which materials are needed, and the thickness of the Ceiling Insulation required based on the area you live in.
Energy savings
Insulation is designed to lower the chances of heat from escaping your home. This means that your energy bill will reduce, eliminating the wastage of thousands of dollars.
Hiring a licensed, certified and experienced contractor to install insulation in your home saves you on the natural gas use or Escom power and decreases the cost of air conditioning. Furthermore, fewer carbon dioxide emissions will be released into the atmosphere.
How Globally Roofing Insulation Becomes an Important Factor in Reducing The Impact Of Climate Change
Due to increased energy use, these homes have contributed to the adverse effects evident in the environment today. In a 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, it was found that 90% of existing American homes did not have proper insulation. Not only does this mean that American homes are under-insulated, but they are wasting Energy and money in the process. Furthermore, homeowners are not experiencing optimal comfort.
Dr Jonathan Levy, a Professor of Environment Health at Boston University School of Public Health, commented that if American homes were insulated according to the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code, power consumption nationwide would drop by 5% while natural gas would decline by 10%. This shows that insulation helps decrease energy usage, thus saving energy bills. That is not all. It also reduces carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere.
The study above was supported by a 1996 study carried out by the Energy Conservation Management, Barakat & Chamberlin and the Alliance to Save Energy. This study revealed the benefits of fibreglass, slag wool, and rock wool insulation materials to the environment. Installing the above insulation materials for residential and commercial buildings means enhanced comfort for the occupants. Furthermore, the cost of insulation will outweigh energy use.
The study also revealed that insulation lowers the heating and cooling of homes in the US. This is compared to non-insulated homes, which utilise more Energy to keep the occupants comfortable while also contributing greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. We also need to eliminate all harmful roof dust and plastic in the roof space.
Thanks to the insulation of homes, the US can now save 10.4 Quadrillion BTU all over the country for residential properties and 1.51 quadrillion BTU for commercial properties.
More Homes and Industry-Required Insulation to Reduce Global Warming and Climate Change
This is still not enough. More homes need to adopt modern insulation methods to prevent more Energy and the emission of greenhouse gases. For instance, if the insulation were fitted o all areas of a home – attic, windows, floors, basement, external walls and foundation – this would help lower energy consumption and emission of carbon dioxide. The current minimum standard allowed by the Council of American Building Officials is the Model Energy Code 1992.
The Model Energy Code was first published in 1983 before subsequent revisions were made in 1986, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1995 and 1998. According to the code, commercial buildings must implement the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-1989. Methods approved by the US Department of Energy include:
- We are using computerised building simulations to learn more about energy use.
- Use component by a component approach that utilises tables in the code appendix.
All these are available in the COMcheck-EZ and MECcheck compliance reports.
If all residential and commercial buildings met the requirements in the Model Energy Code, the US would save 249.2 billion pounds per year of carbon dioxide emissions. As a result, this would significantly reduce total carbon dioxide emissions by 30% or more.
Not only will this reduce energy bills and energy consumption, but it will lower the harmful effects currently being felt as a result of global warming and climate change.
Final Thoughts
It can be concluded that the insulation of residential and commercial buildings has many global warming insulation benefits. To ensure proper insulation, homeowners must follow the minimum requirements set by the state. The next step they should take is to hire a certified, licensed and experienced contractor who is insured. The home will be inspected, and home insulation solutions will be provided.
There is a bigger picture – Global Warming and Climate Change. Over the past few centuries, human activity has increased a hundredfold. Not only has the world experienced four industrial revolutions, but many countries have and are still engaging in poor farming practices, increased deforestation activity and continued burning of more fossil fuel.
As demonstrated in this article, there are considerable benefits if insulation is carried out not only in all homes and commercial buildings in the US but worldwide too. Furthermore, they can provide tax incentives to manufacturers of insulation materials and homeowners who have insulated their homes. For this to be realised, governments and other stakeholders need to sensitise the people through education and training.
This will indeed mitigate the effects of global warming and climate change.