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Chapter 4 Sustainability and Housing
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
take millions of years to complete. The raw materials
are then refi ned and used as fuel for electricity.
Figure 4.3 shows coal is the nation’s main source of
energy. Nuclear energy, hydroelectric power, natural
gas, and petroleum are the other leading energy
sources in the country.
Nonrenewable energy sources, such as
common energy sources of fuel as oil and coal, are
depleting in supply. Renewable energy sources, on
the other hand, replenish themselves regularly.
Renewable sources of energy include the sun, wind,
water, and geothermal energy, all of which can be
converted to electricity.
The housing and interior design professional can
help in promoting the use of renewable sources for
energy uses in buildings. This focus is primarily on the
use of solar energy, geothermal energy, and wind.
Solar Energy
There are several ways to use solar energy in
structures. One way is to use the natural heating
effect of the sun by orienting the building to
incorporate this heating effect. Designing the
structure depends on the climate and other variables
and must be done correctly (Figure 4.4). Another
way to use solar in structures is to use it to heat the
space or heat the hot water (Figure 4.5).
Solar energy could supply a majority of the
energy needed to heat and cool buildings throughout
the United States. Solar heating systems are usually
expensive to install. A major part of the expense is
the high cost of the component parts. Ongoing long-
term research and development will help reduce
costs, improve reliability, and improve performance
of technologies that solar programs use.
Despite the high installation cost, those who use
solar energy usually see a great reduction in their utility
bills. In the long run, solar heating systems usually cost
less than conventional systems.
Active solar systems can heat space, heat water,
or produce electricity. An active solar system that
converts sunlight into electricity is a photovoltaic
(PV) system. The sun shines on panels (called
arrays) and converts this solar energy into electricity.
The downside of photovoltaic systems is they
generate electricity only when the sun shines. The
system’s batteries can store enough electricity
Denys Prykhodov/Shutterstock.com
Figure 4.2 By looking at its exterior, you cannot identify
this smart home. The controls shown on the tablet
indicate it is a smart home.
Natural gas
Nuclear
Hydroelectric
Petroleum
Other renewables
Other
Other gases
Coal
U.S. Electrical Power Industry Net Generation by Fuel, 2013
28%
6%
19%
1% 6% 0.30%
0.03%
39%
U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Annual (2013)
Figure 4.3 The United States relies heavily on coal to fuel the generation of electricity for industrial use.