Green Technology - Research Paper Example

?Running Head: GREEN TECHNOLOGY Green Technology Introduction: With increasing use of energy every year, there is a greater need for fossil fuels which, in turn, has harmful effects on the environment, because the use of fossil fuel sources leads to emission of harmful chemicals and gases. Consequences like global warming and climate changes have become matters of serious concerns. As energy prices are raising and pollution affecting the earth badly, people are concerned to make more efficient usage of energy. Cheaper energy saving and environment-friendly technologies are being proposed to ensure that new energy sources do not add to the pollution level and are used efficiently. This environment-friendly technology is referred to as the “Green Technology”. It is a process of producing alternative uses of energy that are less damaging to the environment. Alternative energy practices are hence, in demand to curtail the use of fossil fuels. Solar power, Biomass energy, Wind power, Green insulation are some of the examples of green technology that are being discovered and used (Sobha, 2007, pp.4-5). Green insulation is one of the measures of green technology that can be customized in homes which makes energy usage more efficient. The means by which today’s buildings are constructed are not only bad for the environment but also harmful to the health of people. Steel, cement and other materials that are required for the manufacture of buildings, use large quantities of energy, thereby releasing huge amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Also, many buildings use more energy than what is actually needed, in order to light or heat them or for operating machines and other appliances. Electricity is used from coal-burning power plants and oil-burning heating systems. Also the amount of water wastage is an issue to be considered significantly. Thus, to protect the planet from the harmful effects of energy usage, green buildings are essential (Owen, 2009, pp.7-10). Here lies the main emphasis on the thesis of this report which states that green insulation in homes can make energy usage efficient and protecting the planet from the harmful effects of energies. Green insulation in houses can decrease energy consumption and can prove to be healthier, cost efficient, and good for the planet. Green Insulation in homes: A boon to the planet: There are several benefits of living in green homes, which is why people, especially the Americans prefer more to take advantage of them. Green homes are healthier, cost efficient, and also useful for the planet as a whole. Through the use of natural or mechanical ventilation, the indoor air can be kept clean. Use of toxic-free materials restricts the indoor air pollution to an immense level. Plants are natural detoxifiers, and natural light is essential for such indoor plants; along with lifting up one’s mood. Green homes are also antimicrobial, thus protecting from molds or other microorganisms. The process of green insulation is cost efficient as living in green homes makes less use of energy and less water, hence more savings. They use high standards of building materials, thus maintenance costs are also low. Green homes are, now, in high demand which makes them more valuable in comparison to any standard home, thus lending homes may bring in higher rents. It is also expected that such homes would require lesser insurance payments than standard homes with the insurance companies providing discount facilities on their policies. Green homes in the near future may be designed in a way that would be able to produce more energy than they produce, through different energy yielding techniques like uses of solar or wind power. Efficient water usage systems also enable green homes to make less wastage of water. Non renewable resources are used less in the construction of a green home. Recycled materials that are readily renewable are generally used for the purpose, e.g., Bamboo. As a result of recycling measures, green home construction also reduces waste, as compared to standard homes (Nayar, 2009, pp.10-12). Insulation is vital for not only energy consumption, but also for health and comfort. As Van Jones, Special adviser on green jobs to the Obama administration observes, “Our planet is in peril. The main culprit: greenhouse-gas emissions that are turning the Earth into an oven. … America emits more greenhouse gases than any other country…. Our buildings account for more of our greenhouse-gas emissions – a whopping 40 percent – than anything else, including transportation.” (Owen, 2009, p.7) (U.S. Energy Information Administration 2009) The above chart illustrates the level of energy consumption in the United States. As can be seen, 49 percent (residential and commercial) of energy is consumed only through the buildings. Thus it can be understood that through the use of green insulation this level of usage can be reduced, and hence prove to be useful both for the people living in the homes, and for the planet as a whole. Governments around the world are laying down new laws to ensure that new buildings that are constructed are more energy efficient and use environment friendly materials. Designers of green homes are trying to use materials like wood, bamboo, or even straw, those are renewable, and use less energy in their production. Innovative techniques are designed to use less electricity and water. R- Value is measured which gives the measure of the insulator’s opposition to heat flow. In constructing a green home the designers take into account several factors like whether the material is renewable, the level of carbon emissions from the energy use, whether it can be recycled, whether wastage is less, and whether the material is efficient to cool the building in summer or warm it in winter, and other such factors (Owen, 2009, pp.7-12). Types of Green Insulation: Roof insulation reduces the use of air-conditioning or heating requirements of a house. This is helpful as less expenditure arises on electricity, and the planet is also saved by less use of fossil fuels. Fiberglass insulation is also used in several homes. There are several types of insulation available nowadays. Cellulose fiber insulation constitutes recycled papers like newspapers, cardboards, and other recycled papers available at homes. These can be directly scattered on the insulation. These are beneficial as they act as fire resistant, reduce noise, and also prevent entry of pests. Recycled denim and cotton products can also be used in homes for insulation. They are fire and pest resistant, and reduce noise as well. Wool insulation is another method that can be used in homes and is one of the most expensive techniques. However, it is not only fire retardant, but also moisture resistant and can withstand extreme heat or cold temperatures. It is also environment friendly and can be reused whenever required, after which it can be also be used as a fertilizer (Wilson & Piepkom, 2008, p. 146). However, certain disadvantages also lie in using the above mentioned insulation techniques. For example, it is hard to grow cotton on the earth owing to large quantities of pesticides required. So this is probably not the best alternative available. Although wool insulation has its benefits, yet wool is subject to insect damage; so, the insulation is generally treated with boron which occurs naturally. Cellulose insulation can be treated as the best method available. It contains a maximum of recycled papers, and the fire retardant chemicals are also used to make the product safe. Moreover, it is more affordable than wool insulation. SIPs or Structural Insulated Panels are also an option for green building. In this, polystyrene slabs are slotted in between sheets of oriented strand board (OSB). This allows very little air to pass and hence produces a super-insulated structure (Beavers, 2009, p. 32). The aerogel material of NASA which is helps in gathering space dust can also be used for insulation of homes. Aerogel is strong, insulating, and light. They have very small pores which earns them the reputation of the most efficient thermal insulators. Nanogel is light and transparent and extremely insulating. It can be used to create insulating windows, or walls and ceilings which let light in keeping the heat out. For health purpose, Nanogel is not sold loose, but instead packaged and fastened onto polycarbonate or fiberglass panels (Maintainability Symposium, 2005, p. 293). Benefits of green insulation: Taking an example of a radiant barrier would help to clearly understand how green insulation can be beneficial. Radiant barriers are materials that are used in buildings which help to reduce heat in summer and cold in winter. Thus they decrease the energy used in heating and cooling a house. Radiant barriers are usulaly composed of sheets of low thickness made of extremely reflective material like aluminium. Such barriers can be used in residential buildings, as well as in industrial or commercial buildings, and are generally set up in the attic of a building. Radiant barriers bringing down heat transfer resulting from thernal radiation between the roof of the building and the attic floor. Materials generally emit thermal radiation because of high temperature. The energy released relies on the surface temperature and property of emission. Reflectivity measures how much radiant heat is returned by a material. Radiant barrier materials are expected to have high reflectivity (usually 0.9, or 90%, or more) and low emissivity (usually 0.1 or less), and should face an open air space to perform properly (Bynum, 2001, p.250). (Stanberry & Associates Realtors, n.d.). When it is a sunny day, the solar energy gets absorbed by the roof, heating the outer layer of the roof, and causing radiation of heat downwards toward the attic floor. If a radiant barrier is present, a large part of the heat that is radiated towards the floor gets returned in the direction of the ceiling. Thus the top of the insulation becomes cooler, and reduces the level of heat that would otherwise get circulated within the house. In the winter season, the radiant barrier can restrict the indoor heat losses through the ceiling of the building. Many architects design green buildings by the use of locally mined stones which emit much lesser carbon in the atmosphere. Materials like rock, concrete, bricks, steel are used to construct buildings. Rock is a natural material used to build walls, floor tiles, and kitchen surfaces. Quarrying of rocks emits carbons. However, stone walls can be energy efficient. They can keep buildings cool. When not in use, quarries may serve the purpose of natural reserves. Rock is tough but can be used again and again. Concrete can be used in different ways to strengthen buildings. It consists of cement mixed with sand, and materials such as gravel. Problem with cement is that it is prepared by heating limestone rock which emits huge amounts of energy and carbon emissions. Cow dung bricks have been introduced in Indonesia, which are strong, clean, healthy to use, and very useful for the environment (Owen, 2009, pp.13-15). Bricks are generally made from clay which is naturally available on earth. However, when clay is mixed with water and transformed into mold and baked, it generates large amounts of energy in the atmosphere. Steel is mixed from iron ore mixed with coke, limestone and other metals. In order to make steel, iron has to be mined and in the process large amounts of energy and water are used. However, although the process emits carbon, yet steel is recyclable in nature. Wood is a natural material and is renewable in nature but it is preferred to be used from sustainable sources (Owen, 2009, pp.15-16). Through the use of green insulation, therefore, many such problems, that are otherwise faced, can be removed. Green insulation in homes uses materials which reduce the carbon emissions in the atmosphere, or reduce the overall usage of energy, is cost efficient in nature, and protects the planet as a whole as well. An overall view on Green Insulation: The green building movement is actually changing the way insulation can be looked at. Any energy efficient home would require insulation. However, use of safe products is also a necessity. Products like cellulose, cotton, fiberglass, wool, natural board are generally popular with green building designers. Nowadays, more number of windows is constructed in houses, which helps in bringing light within the homes, thus saving on electricity expenditures, they help to capture solar heat, and also provide free flow of air for the purpose of ventilation (Hejesky, Goucher, & Schmidt, 2009, p.81).There is an increasing public demand for environmentally conscious products, and hence most constructors and builders are making designs for green insulations in homes. The U.S. Green Building Council, which is an organization of above 14000 companies, builders, public agencies, architects, and environmental groups, is the largest organization that serves the building industry and is honored as the authority on green design (Nayar, 2009, p.14, 17). A green home may comprise features that upgrade health, save energy, and preserve and protect the environment. Some of the elements that may be found in a green insulated home may include well insulated windows, “tankless water heater”, efficient light fittings, rated appliances, “solar powered energy systems” and water heaters, wood floors or cabinets, and efficient ventilation systems (Nayar, 2009, p.21). A good green home reduces harmful effects on the environment, and is free from the use of hazardous materials. Usually the land around a green home is also made appealing, includes plants that provide shade, absorb carbon and deepen soil (Nayar, 2009, p.24). Although insulation in homes is mainly meant for thermal insulation, green insulation also covers fire resistance, pest resistance, and protects from several other impacts. Thermal insulation is essential for thermal comfort, to reduce heat in summer, and reduce loss of heat in the winter. Thus, through the use of different techniques of green insulation, the heating and cooling systems within homes can be organized in a way that not only serves to insulate the house but also protect the planet from overall loss of energy in and from the atmosphere. Conclusion: The efficiency with which heat is kept during summer and kept out during winter has implications that go beyond the expenditures that are made. Insulators are of different types and according to the measures of their R-values (resistance values), comparisons can be made amongst them. As already mentioned, in today’s world, green insulation, as one of the most significant part of green technology, is one of the vital necessities while building a home. Insulating homes through the techniques of green technology not only helps the home to be thermally insulated, thereby controlling the heating and cooling measures within the home, but also, protects the planet. This is so because through the use of green insulation, less energy is used. Therefore, fewer emissions of harmful gases present in the atmosphere. Thus the planet is indirectly protected. Scientists are still working to discover new measures to fight the harmful effects of carbon emissions and other harmful gases which occur as a result of non renewable energy sources. People have also realized the importance of saving energy and are demanding for green homes more than before. Renewable energy is one of the most significant aspects of green technology and now this is also followed in the construction of green homes. Green insulation is now preferred in almost every new house that is built. The harms that are caused to the environment leading to global warming or unexpected climatic changes, are expected to be reduced through the use of green technology; and green insulation in homes is one such measure directed towards the planet’s health. Although green insulation intends to protect the planet from harms caused by gas emissions, it also provides for better health of people, and saving of cost and energy. Thus, using green insulation in homes has been proved to make energy usage efficient and decrease energy consumption to huge levels. Bibliography Beavers, J.E. (2009) Multi-hazard issue sin the central United States. ASCE Publications Bynum, R.T. (2001) Insulation Handbook. Mc-Graw Hill Professional Energy Information Administration (2009), Table 2.1a Energy Consumption by Sector, 1949-2009, retrieved on June 20, 2011 from: http://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/txt/ptb0201a.html Hajeski, N. Goucher, D.R. & Schmidt, P.J. (2009). The Earth Friendly Home, New Jersey: Creative Homeowner Maintainability Symposium (2005), Annual reliability and Maintainability Symposium, IEEE. Nayar, J. (2009). Green Living by Design: The Practical Guide for Eco-Friendly Remodeling and Decorating. New York: Filipacchi Publishing Owen, R. (2009). Building Green Places: Careers in planning, Designing, and Building. United States: Crabtree Publishing Company Stanberry & Associates (n.d.) Green Home, Retrieved on June 20, 2011 from: http://www.greenrealestateresource.com/green-home Sobha, G. (2007). Green Technology: Earth-Friendly Innovations. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group Wilson, A. & M. Piepkom. (2008) Green Building Products, New Society Publishers Read More