While not as obviously connected as the Environment and Mobility , the Environment and Housing are still deeply linked. Housing and infrastructure add to our GHG emissions through energy usage, such as heating and powering our homes.
In fact, reducing energy usage in homes and buildings is one of the focuses of the Canadian federal government to reduce our overall emissions. In addition to changing our energy supply – switching to solar, wind, and hydro – our energy usage is connected to the appliances, insulation, and design of our homes.
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Buildings generate nearly 30% of all greenhouse gases, and 35% of landfill waste, while consuming up to 70% of municipal water.
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Heat pumps are one of the main focuses of the Canadian government, and many provinces, to help reduce our emissions. This is done because heat pumps can reduce annual energy emissions by 36% to 64% per housing unit. Heat pumps are more efficient at heating homes because they move heat around the home instead of producing heat, therefore using less energy. Furthermore, heat pumps are also being implemented as part of a climate mitigation strategy. As global warming increases temperatures in the summer and can cause more severe weather events in the winter, more people will be using household temperature control to stay comfortable. Therefore, reducing energy usage while improving temperature control is important for adaptation and mitigating effects of climate change.
Retrofits like heat pumps are also beneficial because they do not use as much energy as rebuilding a home, while still reducing energy use. While new technologies can help reduce a home’s energy usage, they are often impossible to add to a pre-existing home without serious renovation or rebuilding. However, the climate costs associated with new buildings are extreme, so long-term benefits of the technology versus the building cost should be considered by each person.
Living roofs are used to naturally insulate buildings. The plants and soil on the roof help to absorb carbon dioxide and other GHGs, which improves air quality and reduces the Urban Heat Island effect. They do this by absorbing and retaining heat from the sun in the winter and reflecting heat in the summer. This reduction in heat gains conserves energy in the summer by approximately 96 percent and heat losses for the winter months by 26 percent, therefore reducing energy costs and overall building temperature.
The plants and soil also help to reduce stormwater runoff, which reduces flood risks, an important feature as weather events like atmospheric rivers become more extreme. Furthermore, living roofs provide a home for pollinators and can increase biodiversity. You can also plant a variety of types of flora, including indigenous plants, flowers, herbs, and more; this can be visually appealing in addition to protecting native plants and pollinators. Additionally, as mentioned on the Context page, living in urban areas with lots of trees and green spaces increases the overall happiness and well-being of citizens.
The lifespan of a green roof is significantly longer than that of a traditional roof, meaning that replacement and repair costs will be less frequent. The roofs do require maintenance, but infrequently, as they are self-sustaining ecosystems.
The re-sealing of windows, doors and other locations where air might seep through is key to reducing heating costs in a household. If you use gas or electricity, more than 50 percent of the energy used goes toward heating your home. An additional 26 percent is used for heating water. Therefore, reducing heating costs is key to reducing our energy usage, which helps us reduce our GHGs. Re-sealing windows and doors helps to keep indoor temperatures more regulated and contained, with less cool air getting inside in the winter and less hot air modifying internal temperatures in the summer. Insulation also helps with this, as it helps provide resistance to heat flow out of and within your house. With these techniques implemented, there is less energy required to modify the temperature of a room, as it is less interfered with by outside temperatures. Reduced energy usage reduces the emittance of GHGs as less electricity is required to be produced by fossil fuels, dams, or other sources.