Energy efficient construction

The population of the earth is approximately 7 billion at present.  It is estimated that it will double every after 60 years [3].  With the number of inhabitants increasing there is more demand for energy to provide comfortable and suitable living standard. On the other hand the primary source of energy such as oil and natural gas are limited and are at the verge of depleting.  Many have forecasted the time when it might happen but it is sure that it will happen in the near foreseeable future [3]. In some parts of the world like Bhutan a very small country where the oil and natural gas are imported from outside, the prices of these resources has been increasing annually. This indicates that the demand is more while the supply is less which leads to increase in price.

Due to the excessive or inefficient use of energy, there is emission of green house gases. It was found out that energy consumption alone in the residential building accounts for about 70% of global carbon dioxide emission [2]. Hence the climate change is becoming inevitable and it is posing a great threat globally. Nature has already sent its warning. There is rising of sea level, melting of glaciers, extreme climatic condition, drought and the list goes on. If necessary actions are not taken now then this generation people will be regarded as the generation who ignored the signs of nature[2].

The residential sector in Bhutan is the highest energy consumer, accounting for 48.7% of the total energy consumption [4]. Most of the energy is used for either space heating or cooling. In Western Europe 52% of energy is consumed to maintain acceptable environmental conditions within buildings [1]. Therefore if we do not have proper building construction the loss of heat will be quite high. This will consume more energy. Energy saving can be taken up in the various method. There should be plans and strategy to save limited primary resources from waning.   There is high potential of using energy efficiently in residential building by recognizing energy efficient construction. Once the method is found out, it should be implemented. According to the studies that was carried out in 2008, it says that the potential for saving energy from building were equivalent to 15 times the installed wind power capacity in Europe [2].

While implementing energy efficient construction there are various attributes that can be taken into consideration like energy loss reduction, efficient energy generation and efficient energy usage. The implementation of energy saving construction like use of insulation for thermal properties might increase the initial cost.  But it will be profitable in the long term as it minimizes maintenance cost as well as cost for space heating or cooling. Thus saving energy as well as utility cost in the long run.

Bibliography

[1]	J. Clarke and T. Maver, "Advanced tools for energy conscious building design," in Development and dissemination. Building and environment, 1991.
[2]	"Climate change and energy security," Knauf Inuslation, [Online]. Available: http://www.knaufinsulation.com/en/climate-change-and-energy-security. [Accessed 7 11 2014].
[3]	M. Rubina, J. Golunovs, E. Semjonova, R. Baufals, D. Indriksone, I. Bremere, A. Linde, L. Biezina, v. C. knorre and J. Faltin, "Improving energy efficiency of the building," “Jelgavas tipogrāfija”, Rīga, 2008, Riga, 2008.
[4]	"Technology needs assessment and technology action plan for climate change mitigation," Bhutan, 2012.

 The above article was some finding that i came across while preparing some reports. I thought it is informative so i felt like sharing