tag:theconversation.com,2011:/fr/topics/energy-efficiency-876/articlesEnergy efficiency – The Conversation2024-03-25T19:05:50Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2256742024-03-25T19:05:50Z2024-03-25T19:05:50ZIf you’ve got a dark roof, you’re spending almost $700 extra a year to keep your house cool<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/584001/original/file-20240325-26-6somxa.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=24%2C66%2C4025%2C2969&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Sebastian Pfautsch</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>If you visit southern Greece or Tunisia, you might notice lots of white rooftops and white buildings to reflect the intense heat and keep residents cooler. </p>
<p>It’s very different in Australia. New housing estates in the hottest areas around Sydney and Melbourne are dominated by dark rooftops, black roads and minimal tree cover. Dark colours trap and hold heat rather than reflect it. That might be useful in winters in Tasmania, but not where heat is an issue.</p>
<p>A dark roof means you’ll pay considerably more to keep your house cool in summer. Last year, the average household in New South Wales paid A$1827 in electricity. But those with a lighter-coloured cool roof <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/content/dam/pdfs/unsw-adobe-websites/arts-design-architecture/built-environment/our-research/high-performance-architecture-research-cluster/2022-08-22282-UNSW-Cool-Roofs-Project-Report-WEB.pdf">can pay</a> up to $694 less due to lower cooling electricity needs. Put another way, a dark roof in Sydney drives up your power bill by 38%. </p>
<p>When suburbs are full of dark coloured roofs, the whole area heats up. And up. And up. This is part of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-western-sydney-is-feeling-the-heat-from-climate-change-more-than-the-rest-of-the-city-201477">urban heat island effect</a>. In January 2020, Penrith in Western Sydney was the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/the-sydney-suburbs-that-hit-50c-last-summer-20201002-p561by.html">hottest place on Earth</a>. </p>
<p>Cool roofs have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112577">many benefits</a>. They slash how much heat gets into your house from the sun, keep the air surrounding your home cooler, boost your aircon efficiency, and make your solar panels work <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960148123013939?via%3Dihub">more efficiently</a>.</p>
<p>State governments could, at a stroke, penalise dark roofs and give incentives for light-coloured roofs. Scaled up, it would help keep our cities cooler as the world heats up. But outside South Australia, it’s just not happening. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="infrared image of housing estate showing dark roofs becoming much hotter than light" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=283&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=283&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=283&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=356&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=356&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583606/original/file-20240322-18-1dka8v.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=356&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">You can clearly see here the difference roof colour makes. On the left, you can see the real view of a new housing estate. On the right, an infrared camera shows you the difference in heat (redder = hotter, green = cooler.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Sebastian Pfautsch</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/">CC BY-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Why won’t state governments act?</h2>
<p>To date, our leaders show no interest in encouraging us to shift away from dark roofs. </p>
<p>In New South Wales, plans to ban dark roofs were <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/plan-to-ban-dark-roofs-abandoned-as-nsw-government-walks-back-sustainability-measures">axed abruptly</a> in 2022 after pushback from developers. </p>
<p>The current NSW planning minister, Paul Scully, has <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/basix-pause-to-help-home-buyers-and-builders">now paused upgrades</a> to the state’s sustainability building standards which would have <a href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/nonsense-call-leaves-millions-vulnerable-to-summers-silent-killer/news-story/d4f9221eb33157f8d6df4b6213e4c1e3">encouraged light-coloured roofs</a>. Other Australian states and territories have <a href="https://www.absa.net.au/notes/ncc-2022/">also paused</a> the rollout of new, more ambitious building sustainability standards. </p>
<p>This is short-sighted for several reasons: </p>
<ol>
<li>it costs the same for a light- or dark-coloured roof </li>
<li>owners will pay substantially higher electricity bills to keep their houses cool for decades</li>
<li>keeping the building status quo makes it harder to reach emission targets</li>
<li>dark roofs <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2023.111948">cut how much power</a> you get from your rooftop solar, especially when it’s hot. This is doubly bad, as blackouts are most likely during the heat. </li>
</ol>
<p>At present, South Australia is the only state or territory acting on the issue. Early this year, housing minister Nick Champion announced dark roofs <a href="https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-items/northern-suburbs-housing-hotspots-cooler-future">will be banned</a> from a large new housing development in the north of Adelaide. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-great-australian-dream-new-homes-in-planned-estates-may-not-be-built-to-withstand-heatwaves-166266">The Great Australian Dream? New homes in planned estates may not be built to withstand heatwaves</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
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<h2>What’s at stake?</h2>
<p>At present, the world’s cities <a href="https://ghgprotocol.org/ghg-protocol-cities">account for 75%</a> of all energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. It’s vitally important we understand what makes cities <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/resources/factsheets">hotter or cooler</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="chart showing city design and built infrastructure make cities hotter while trees and proximity to water make it cooler" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=505&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=505&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=505&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=634&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=634&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583603/original/file-20240322-30-hbnhwz.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=634&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">These are the main factors making cities hotter or cooler.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/figures/chapter-10/faq-10-2-figure-1">IPCC</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Brick, concrete, tarmac and tiles can store more heat than grass and tree-covered earth can, and release it slowly over time. This keeps the air warmer, even overnight. </p>
<p>Built-up areas also block wind, which cuts cooling. Then there’s transport, manufacturing and air-conditioning, all of which increase heat. </p>
<p>Before aircon, the main way people had to keep cool was through how they designed their homes. In hot countries, buildings are often painted white, as well as having small windows and thick stone walls. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="mykonos greece panorama, white rooftops" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/583975/original/file-20240325-30-bm2jka.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=504&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">White rooftops are common in hot regions, such as Mykonos in Greece.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/mykonos-greece-panoramic-view-town-cyclades-1916571950">Izabela23/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The classic <a href="https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/features/list/why-queensland-architecture-is-celebrated">Queenslander house</a> was lifted off the ground to catch breezes and had a deeply shaded veranda all around, to reduce heat. </p>
<p>But after aircon arrived, we <a href="https://archive.curbed.com/2017/5/9/15583550/air-conditioning-architecture-skyscraper-wright-lever-house">gradually abandoned</a> those simple cooling principles for our homes, like cross-ventilation or shade awnings. We just turned on air conditioning instead. </p>
<p>Except, of course, the heat doesn’t go away. Air conditioning works by exchanging heat, taking the heat out of air inside our house and putting it outside. </p>
<p>As climate change intensifies, it makes hot cities even hotter. Heatwaves are projected to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL081004">be more frequent</a>, including in spring and autumn, while overnight temperatures will also increase. </p>
<p>As cities grow, suburbs can push into hotter areas. The 2.5 million residents of Western Sydney live at least 50km from the sea, which means cooling sea breezes don’t reach them. </p>
<p>Sweltering cities aren’t just uncomfortable. They are dangerous. Extreme heat <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2021.102671">kills more people</a> in Australia than all other natural disasters combined. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/western-sydney-will-swelter-through-46-days-per-year-over-35-c-by-2090-unless-emissions-drop-significantly-177056">Western Sydney will swelter through 46 days per year over 35°C by 2090, unless emissions drop significantly</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>How can we cool our cities?</h2>
<p>We don’t have to swelter. It’s a choice. Light roofs, light roads and better tree cover would make a real difference. </p>
<p>There’s a very practical reason Australians prize “leafy” suburbs. If your street has established large trees, you will experience less than half the number of days with extreme heat compared on residents <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/9/945">on treeless streets</a>. If you live in a leafy street, your home is also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016920461200299X">worth more</a>.</p>
<p>Blacktop roads are a surprisingly large source of heat. In summer, they can <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2024-01-24/why-australia-builds-dark-roads-despite-heatwaves-climate-change/103375122">get up to 75°C</a>. Our research shows reflective sealants can cut the temperatures <a href="https://doi.org/10.26183/hstd-bj72">up to 13°C</a>. Some councils <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2024-01-24/why-australia-builds-dark-roads-despite-heatwaves-climate-change/103375122">have experimented</a> with lighter roads, but to date, uptake has been minimal. </p>
<p>Cool roofs markedly reduce how much energy you need to cool a house. When used at scale, <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/arts-design-architecture/our-schools/built-environment/our-research/clusters-groups/high-performance-architecture/projects/study-on-the-cool-roofs-mitigation-potential-in-australia">they lower</a> the air temperatures of entire suburbs. </p>
<p>The simplest way to get a cool roof is to choose one with as light a colour as possible. There are also high-tech options able to reflect <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778823003614">even more heat</a>.</p>
<p>Soon, we’ll see even higher performance options available in the form of daytime radiative coolers – <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/3/1110">exceptional cooling materials</a> able to reflect still more heat away from your house and cut glare.</p>
<p>Until we choose to change, homeowners and whole communities will keep paying dearly for the luxury of a dark roof through power bill pain and sweltering suburbs.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-western-sydney-is-feeling-the-heat-from-climate-change-more-than-the-rest-of-the-city-201477">Why Western Sydney is feeling the heat from climate change more than the rest of the city</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/225674/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Riccardo Paolini has received funding from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sebastian Pfautsch does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>We could make our hot cities cooler with white roofs and light roads. But progress has been glacially slow.Sebastian Pfautsch, Research Theme Fellow - Environment and Sustainability, Western Sydney UniversityRiccardo Paolini, Associate Professor, School of Built Environment, UNSW SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2249012024-03-15T13:32:04Z2024-03-15T13:32:04ZFuel poverty in England is probably 2.5 times higher than government statistics show<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580730/original/file-20240308-28-m97ekg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/white-radiator-heater-beside-brown-wooden-window-ihx1LdtnGXw">Julian Hochgesang|Unsplash</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The cap set on how much UK energy suppliers can charge for domestic gas and electricity is set to fall by 15% from April 1 2024. Despite this, <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-uk-energy-crisis-plan-will-affect-bills-and-price-inflation-an-economist-explains-190586">prices</a> remain shockingly high. The <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/quarterly-energy-prices-december-2023">average household energy bill</a> in 2023 was £2,592 a year, dwarfing the pre-pandemic average of £1,308 in 2019.</p>
<p>The term <a href="https://theconversation.com/fuel-poverty-as-government-support-dries-up-communities-are-taking-action-221282">“fuel poverty”</a> refers to a household’s ability to afford the energy required to maintain adequate warmth and the use of other essential appliances. Quite how it is measured varies from country to country. In England, the government uses what is known as the low income low energy efficiency (Lilee) indicator. </p>
<p>Since energy costs started rising sharply in 2021, UK households’ spending powers have plummeted. It would be reasonable to assume that these <a href="https://theconversation.com/cost-of-living-crisis-its-not-enough-to-know-how-many-people-are-below-the-poverty-line-we-need-to-measure-poverty-depth-180450">increasingly hostile economic conditions</a> have caused fuel poverty rates to rise. </p>
<p>However, according to the Lilee fuel poverty metric, in England there have only been modest changes in fuel poverty incidence year on year. In fact, government statistics show a slight <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/annual-fuel-poverty-statistics-report-2024">decrease in the nationwide rate</a>, from 13.2% in 2020 to 13.0% in 2023. </p>
<p>Our recent <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2024.114014">study</a> suggests that these figures are incorrect. We estimate the rate of fuel poverty in England to be around 2.5 times higher than what the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics">government’s statistics</a> show, because the criteria underpinning the Lilee estimation process leaves out a large number of financially vulnerable households which, in reality, are unable to afford and maintain adequate warmth.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Blocks of flats in London." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/580731/original/file-20240308-24-pw8ikc.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Household fuel poverty in England is calculated on the basis of the energy efficiency of the home.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://unsplash.com/photos/a-street-with-cars-and-buildings-along-it-JqT3PsJ7Chc">Igor Sporynin|Unsplash</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Energy security</h2>
<p>In 2022, we undertook an in-depth analysis of Lilee fuel poverty in Greater London. First, we combined fuel poverty, housing and employment data to provide an estimate of vulnerable homes which are omitted from Lilee statistics. </p>
<p>We also surveyed 2,886 residents of Greater London about their experiences of fuel poverty during the winter of 2022. We wanted to gauge energy security, which refers to a type of self-reported fuel poverty. Both parts of the study aimed to demonstrate the potential flaws of the Lilee definition. </p>
<p>Introduced in 2019, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-warmth-protecting-vulnerable-households-in-england">Lilee metric</a> considers a household to be “fuel poor” if it meets two criteria. First, after accounting for energy expenses, its income must fall below the poverty line (which is 60% of median income). </p>
<p>Second, the property must have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D–G (the lowest four ratings). The government’s apparent logic for the Lilee metric is to quicken the net-zero transition of the housing sector. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sustainable-warmth-protecting-vulnerable-households-in-england">Sustainable Warmth</a>, the policy paper that defined the Lilee approach, the government says that EPC A–C-rated homes “will not significantly benefit from energy-efficiency measures”. Hence, the focus on fuel poverty in D–G-rated properties. </p>
<p>Generally speaking, EPC A–C-rated homes (those with the highest three ratings) are considered energy efficient, while D–G-rated homes are deemed inefficient. The problem with how Lilee fuel poverty is measured is that the process assumes that EPC A–C-rated homes are too “energy efficient” to be considered fuel poor: the main focus of the fuel poverty assessment is a characteristic of the property, not the occupant’s financial situation.</p>
<p>In other words, by this metric, anyone living in an energy-efficient home cannot be considered to be in fuel poverty, no matter their financial situation. There is an obvious flaw here. </p>
<p>Around 40% of homes in England have an EPC rating of A–C. According to the Lilee definition, none of these homes can or ever will be classed as fuel poor. Even though energy prices are going through the roof, a single-parent household with dependent children whose only income is universal credit (or some other form of benefits) will still not be considered to be living in fuel poverty if their home is rated A-C. </p>
<p>The lack of protection afforded to these households against an extremely volatile energy market is highly concerning. </p>
<p>In our study, we estimate that 4.4% of London’s homes are rated A-C and also financially vulnerable. That is around 171,091 households, which are currently omitted by the Lilee metric but remain highly likely to be unable to afford adequate energy. </p>
<p>In most other European nations, what is known as the 10% indicator is used to gauge fuel poverty. This metric, which was also used in England from the 1990s until the mid 2010s, considers a home to be fuel poor if more than 10% of income is spent on energy. Here, the main focus of the fuel poverty assessment is the occupant’s financial situation, not the property. </p>
<p>Were such alternative fuel poverty metrics to be employed, a significant portion of those 171,091 households in London would almost certainly qualify as fuel poor. </p>
<p>This is confirmed by the findings of our survey. Our data shows that 28.2% of the 2,886 people who responded were <a href="https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/energy_insecurity.php">“energy insecure”</a>. This includes being unable to afford energy, making involuntary spending trade-offs between food and energy, and falling behind on energy payments. </p>
<p>Worryingly, we found that the rate of energy insecurity in the survey sample is around 2.5 times higher than the official rate of fuel poverty in London (11.5%), as assessed according to the Lilee metric. </p>
<p>It is likely that this figure can be extrapolated for the rest of England. If anything, energy insecurity may be even higher in other regions, given that Londoners tend to have higher-than-average <a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/regionalaccounts/grossdisposablehouseholdincome/bulletins/regionalgrossdisposablehouseholdincomegdhi/1997to2021">household income</a>. </p>
<p>The UK government is wrongly omitting hundreds of thousands of English households from fuel poverty statistics. Without a more accurate measure, vulnerable households will continue to be overlooked and <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-single-person-on-universal-credit-now-receives-20-less-than-what-it-costs-just-to-eat-and-keep-warm-222008">not get the assistance</a> they desperately need to stay warm.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224901/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Torran Semple receives funding from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant EP/S023305/1.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>John Harvey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The top 40% most energy efficient homes aren’t counted as being in fuel poverty, no matter what their bills or income are.Torran Semple, PhD Student in Engineering & Data Science, University of NottinghamJohn Harvey, Associate Professor in Marketing, University of NottinghamLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2247412024-03-06T19:14:53Z2024-03-06T19:14:53ZAustralian homes are getting bigger and bigger, and it’s wiping out gains in energy efficiency<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579779/original/file-20240305-24-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=7%2C14%2C4824%2C3180&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>New Australian homes are being designed bigger and so require more energy for heating and cooling, wiping out potential gains in energy efficiency, according to our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2023.2301574">new research</a>. The increasing energy demand is inconsistent with global efforts to tackle climate change and suggests Australia’s housing energy policy requires a radical rethink.</p>
<p>For more than 20 years, Australia’s building energy regulations have <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s12053-015-9336-4">focused on</a> energy efficiency. This reflects policy trends <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.01.007">around the world</a>. </p>
<p>In building regulations, energy efficiency is measured as the energy required to heat or cool one square metre of floorspace. Energy efficiency can be improved with features such as good orientation, insulation and double-glazing on windows. Homes designed to a higher energy efficiency standard do indeed <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.11.031">require less energy</a> for heating and cooling. </p>
<p>But what happens if we build a bigger house, or more houses: does energy efficiency policy still encourage less energy use in homes? Our research shows in Australia, the answer is no. A policy focus on energy efficiency has not led to falls in the predicted energy requirements for heating and cooling – either for individual homes or the new home sector as a whole. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="interior of large home" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579780/original/file-20240305-30-eq3g2y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Energy efficiency is measured according to the energy required to heat or cool one square metre of floorspace.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Increasing floor areas</h2>
<p>Around the world, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02673037.2019.1709625">apartment living</a> is becoming more common. But detached homes remain the dominant housing type in many developed nations, including <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/people-and-communities/snapshot-australia/latest-release">Australia</a>, the <a href="https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP1Y2022.DP04">United States</a> and <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810004101">Canada</a>. </p>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0512-1">House size</a> differs markedly around the world, ranging from 9m² per person in India, to about 84m² per person in Australia. Globally, floor area per person is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-019-0512-1">increasing</a>. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2023.2301574">study</a> set out to examine the significance of this increase when it comes to home heating and cooling energy requirements in Australia. </p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/future-home-havens-australians-likely-to-use-more-energy-to-stay-in-and-save-money-199672">Future home havens: Australians likely to use more energy to stay in and save money</a>
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<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="large double story home" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/579781/original/file-20240305-18-fyf43w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Detached homes remain the dominant housing type in many developed nations, including Australia.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What we found</h2>
<p>Our study involved more than 580,000 new homes in Australia designed between 2018 and 2022. </p>
<p>First, we looked at official dwelling <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/building-approvals-australia/latest-release#data-downloads">approval data</a>. We then examined <a href="https://ahd.csiro.au/dashboards/energy-rating/states">certificates</a> issued under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme or NatHERS. This gave us the thermal performance star-ratings of the new homes, their energy efficiency for heating and cooling and their conditioned floor areas – that is, floor areas typically heated and cooled, excluding spaces such as laundries and garages. </p>
<p>From this, we calculated the predicted energy each home would require each year for heating and cooling. </p>
<p>We found a home designed in 2022 had a 7.6% larger conditioned floor area than a home designed in 2018. And a home designed in 2022 was predicted to require 10% more energy for heating and cooling than a home designed four years earlier. </p>
<p>This differed between jurisdictions. For example, predicted energy requirements for a new home in Western Australia fell by 11% over the period, while in Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory it increased by 17%.</p>
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<p>Collectively, we found the predicted energy requirement for heating and cooling of all new homes in Australia was 5.6% more in 2022 than in 2018. This figure ranged from a fall of 21% in the Northern Territory to an increase of 34% in South Australia. </p>
<p>These increases occurred despite 97.5% of new homes meeting the state-based minimum energy efficiency regulations.</p>
<p><iframe id="n4YpN" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/n4YpN/1/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h2>Understanding the star-rating system</h2>
<p>Between 2018 and 2022, new homes had to be designed to a minimum 6-star energy rating under the NatHERs scheme. However, the policy is implemented by state-based regulations, which in some jurisdictions allows homes to be designed below 6-stars. </p>
<p>In the study period, 18% of new homes in Australia were designed to a 5-5.9 star rating, as permitted within the jurisdictions of Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. In all other states and territories, the majority of new homes were designed at 6-star or above. </p>
<p>Nationally, just 11% of new homes were designed at a higher standard of 7-10 stars. This ranged from 35% in the Australian Capital Territory to just 5% of new homes in Victoria.</p>
<p>Improvements to Australia’s housing energy efficiency policy came into effect <a href="https://abcb.gov.au/ncc-2022-state-and-territory-adoption-dates">in 2023</a>. However these do not directly address the impact of floor area on heating and cooling energy requirements, and state-based regulations remain inconsistent.</p>
<h2>Aussie homes are getting bigger</h2>
<p>Our analysis showed new Australian homes continue to get bigger. New homes in Victoria and NSW had the largest conditioned floor areas, while Tasmania had the smallest. </p>
<p>New homes with lower a star-rating tended to be bigger: the average 5-star home in NSW had more than double the conditioned floor area of the average 7-star home in Tasmania. </p>
<p>Larger homes also inherently require more materials to build than smaller homes – and these materials require energy to produce. However this concept, known as <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/materials/embodied-energy">embodied energy</a>, was beyond the scope of our study.</p>
<p><iframe id="Rbt6l" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Rbt6l/1/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h2>Time for a rethink</h2>
<p>Our research showed at a household, state and national scale, the emission reduction benefits of improving a home’s energy efficiency may be undermined if policy does not consider floor area. </p>
<p>Demand for new housing in Australia will continue to rise as the <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/pd/content/World-Population-Prospects-2022">population grows</a>. So it’s even more important to ensure we get the settings right on home energy policy. Such an overhaul will be complex, involving building regulations, urban planning and social policies. </p>
<p>Renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy used by new homes. However, to make our <a href="https://www.imeche.org/news/news-article/the-energy-hierarchy-a-powerful-tool-for-sustainability">net-zero goals feasible</a>, achieving reductions in the energy required by each home is a crucial first step. </p>
<p>Work is also needed on how to encourage people to build smaller homes – a home <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/15487733.2021.1926684">sufficient</a> for their needs, but no larger. Unless Australia <a href="https://doi.org/10.1108/EOR-05-2023-0002">re-examines the scale</a> of its new homes, energy efficiency policy will fail to deliver genuine reductions in energy use.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/all-electric-homes-are-better-for-your-hip-pocket-and-the-planet-heres-how-governments-can-help-us-get-off-gas-207409">All-electric homes are better for your hip pocket and the planet. Here's how governments can help us get off gas</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224741/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Australia’s increasing energy demand is inconsistent with global efforts to tackle climate change and suggests our housing energy policy requires a radical rethink.Kate Wingrove, PhD Candidate at the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre, University of WollongongEmma Heffernan, Associate Professor in Architecture, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2223162024-02-14T12:21:07Z2024-02-14T12:21:07ZFive reasons to heat your home using infrared fabric<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/575023/original/file-20240212-20-j6tamt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">New infrared technology could make homes more energy efficient. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/hand-turning-knob-make-home-more-1009692889">Olivier Le Moal/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Imagine heating your home from the ceiling, not from underfloor heating or radiators. Once installed like wallpaper, hi-tech infrared fabric emits heat in a similar way to the sun’s rays. This could be a logical way to add low-carbon heat into existing homes that need retrofitting to improve energy efficiency. </p>
<p>Under the currently proposed legislative changes, no new home will be built with an incoming gas supply <a href="https://www.britishgas.co.uk/the-source/greener-living/gas-boilers-ban-2025.html#">after 2025</a>. If you’re buying a new home that’s been designed and built to the new <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-homes-standard-changes-to-part-l-and-part-f-of-the-building-regulations-for-new-dwellings">Future Homes Standard</a>, you’ve got little to worry about. </p>
<p>But for older properties, retrofitting projects can be complex, inconvenient and expensive. As gas boilers are phased out, heat pumps are usually the preferred alternative for energy-efficient housing. However, infrared fabric technology could be much better suited as a low-carbon heating solution for our existing housing stock, and here’s why.</p>
<h2>1. Instant heat</h2>
<p>Unlike heat pumps, which are a slow response heating system, infrared fabric emits radiant heat that can be felt within minutes. That has multiple advantages. </p>
<p>Gas boilers heat up our rooms quickly so we don’t have to leave the heating on when we’re out, but heat pumps don’t work like that. Instead, they deliver a continuous low level of heat, so homes need to be well-insulated to retain that heat and airtight to stop draughts. But, without draughts, we’ll need a <a href="https://www.eco-home-essentials.co.uk/home-ventilation-systems.html">mechanical ventilation system</a> to circulate fresh air. </p>
<p>Instant radiant heat reduces the need for all these additional interventions by directly heating the people and surfaces in a room rather than the air itself. It can be turned on or boosted to higher temperatures by motion sensors when you enter a room, with instant results. That means you only need to heat the rooms that you’re in, rather than an entire house.</p>
<h2>2. Simple to install</h2>
<p>Infrared fabric looks like a roll of slightly stiff wallpaper. It’s essentially a graphene sandwich, a thin film of carbon between two sheets of paper that conducts low voltage electricity and emits infrared heat, like the sun, but without the light or harmful <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ultraviolet-radiation">ultraviolet</a>. </p>
<p>A room’s ceiling area emits the right amount of heat for a room, making installation very simple in any property, irrespective of its construction, shape or size. It’s little more than a wallpapering job with a click together wiring connection. Your gas boiler could even be left in place for emergencies alongside it. By comparison, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S221462962030339X">heat pump installation</a> requires extensive additional works and sometimes a period of relocation.</p>
<h2>3. Affordable heat</h2>
<p>Infrared fabric is affordable to install and maintain due to its simplicity with a total cost of around £100 per sq metre for a full system. And it’s quite indestructible – it can have holes cut out of it and can get wet in floods without any danger to occupants or damage to the material. It’s also affordable to run. </p>
<p>Heat pumps are known to generate more energy than they use, up to three times as much, by taking low grade heat out of the air and <a href="https://www.greenbuildingrenewables.co.uk/a-beginners-guide-to-heat-pumps/">compressing it</a>. Infrared fabric can’t match that, but because radiant heat is instant, it’s only being emitted when needed in the rooms that you’re in, so even allowing for a <a href="https://sunamp.com/en-gb/">hot water system</a> the total energy use can be up to 20% less than from a heat pump.</p>
<h2>4. Radiant heat is healthy and safe</h2>
<p>Once the infrared heat warms the people, objects and surfaces that it touches, they in turn give off secondary heat through the process of <a href="https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/how-weather-works/what-is-convection#:%7E:text=Convection%20is%20the%20movement%20of,another%20upon%20contact%2C%20transferring%20heat.">convection</a>. But the overall temperature is perceived to be 3˚C warmer than it actually is because people are being heated, as opposed to the air.</p>
<p>That’s both <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/8/5/e021085">healthier</a> and <a href="https://nexgenheating.com/what-is-nextgen/the-benefits">cheaper</a> to sustain. Radiant heat also means the air carries <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0954611115001870">fewer allergens</a> due to reduced air movement – it’s the convection currents from traditional heating systems that stir up the dust and allergens.</p>
<p>Infrared panels do the same thing but from a <a href="https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/infrared-heating/the-basics">90˚C point source</a> in your room and with less consistency. Radiators reach 60 – 70˚C, whereas infrared fabric emits a low-level heat (45˚C) over the <a href="https://nexgenheating.com/what-is-nextgen/the-technology">whole area</a>. Heat absorbed into the fabric of the building is retained for longer than warmed air, resulting in a more consistent room temperature across day and night. </p>
<h2>5. Our homegrown future</h2>
<p>Infrared fabric is a UK invention and it’s UK-manufactured. All we need now is for it to be UK accredited. That’s a long and expensive process, but the all important SAP Appendix Q certification is due in 2025 if not before. It already has BSEN (British Standard) approval as a large area low temperature <a href="https://nexgenheating.com/what-is-nextgen/the-technology">emitter</a> and it’s class A fire rated.</p>
<p>The Welsh government already funds its use in retrofit programmes following extensive trials across <a href="https://governmentbusiness.co.uk/news/31052022/heated-wallpaper-trialled-wales">270 homes</a>. Further research is now needed to evidence the health, safety and carbon benefits that will strengthen the case even more for this form of heating. </p>
<p>So if you’re retrofitting an existing property as a home owner, private landlord, housing association or local authority, infrared fabric could be a low-risk, low-cost, low-carbon solution worth considering.</p>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Siebert does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>New infrared fabric technology is easy to install, cheap to run and affordable so it has huge potential as a future alternative to heat pumps, especially for retrofit projects.Michael Siebert, Lecturer in Architecture, School of Architecture, Design and Built Environment, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2212822024-02-06T15:51:10Z2024-02-06T15:51:10ZFuel poverty: as government support dries up, communities are taking action<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573777/original/file-20240206-22-xvyur2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C4928%2C3260&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A cooperative in southern England installed solar panels on flats and used the revenue to fund energy-efficient improvements.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/roof-mounted-solar-panels-manchester-england-394391113">Marcin Wos/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/about-us1/media/press-releases/more-than-two-million-people-will-be-cut-off-from-their-gas-and-electricity-this-winter-because-they-cant-afford-to-top-up-citizens-advice-warns/">More than two million people</a> will be cut off from their gas and electricity this winter because they can’t afford to top up their prepayment meter. That’s according to a report from the charity Citizens Advice, which says it is helping more people than ever who cannot pay for energy.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/housing/articles/whoismostlikelytoliveinhomesthatarehardertokeepwarm/2023-12-14">Data</a> from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests that lone parents (75%), renters (60%), disabled adults (54%), and Black, African, Caribbean, or Black British adults (58%) are more likely to report difficulties in affording their energy payments compared to the national average of 43%.</p>
<p>Underlying all the vulnerable groups who will struggle to keep warm this winter is class. Apart from people aged 65 years and over (who are also more likely to live in homes with lower energy efficiency and so consume more gas and electricity as a result) those most affected by <a href="https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2024-01-16c.676.5">fuel poverty</a> are people who live payday to payday and have very little savings, if any. Race sometimes becomes a factor as government <a href="https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/work-pay-and-benefits/pay-and-income/household-income/latest/">figures</a> show that Black households (54%) are most likely out of all ethnic groups to have a weekly income of less than £600 (US$760).</p>
<p>Soaring heating expenses, stagnating or declining wages and poorly maintained housing have marred millions of lives with debt and poor health. <a href="https://www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/about-fuel-poverty/excess-winter-deaths-and-fuel-poverty/">Estimates</a> suggest that 10% of excess winter deaths are directly attributable to fuel poverty and 21.5% to cold homes.</p>
<p>So what support is available – and what is actually needed?</p>
<h2>National schemes don’t go far enough</h2>
<p>The government energy bill support <a href="https://www.gov.uk/get-help-energy-bills/getting-discount-energy-bill">scheme</a> gave every household a £400 discount on their energy bills for winter 2022-2023. This ended in March 2023. Now some households could get £150 off their electricity bill (or added to their prepayment meter) for winter 2023-2024 under the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme">warm home discount scheme</a>.</p>
<p>This discount should be automatically applied to your bill, meaning there is no need to apply for the scheme if you are getting the guarantee credit element of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/guarantee-pension-credit">pension credit</a> or are on a low income and live in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income-England-Wales">England and Wales</a>. You may need to apply for it if you are eligible and live in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/low-income-scotland">Scotland</a>, however.</p>
<p>The Citizens Advice <a href="https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/">website</a> has useful information on grants and benefits to help with paying energy bills in England. Your local council may have other schemes so it is <a href="https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council">worth checking</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A paper electricity bill." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/573780/original/file-20240206-22-ne8gjq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">UK energy bills have remained high for the last two years.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/paper-electricity-bill-cost-increasing-notice-2132985595">Jevanto Productions/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p><a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-3-319-69625-6_124-1">Research</a> I conducted with others has shown that what support is available is inadequate. People may be unaware of their eligibility for the warm home discount and struggle to contact their energy supplier, as is sometimes required in Scotland. They may also be loath to contact their local authority for information on nearby “warm spaces” – public places that anyone can use to stay warm, like libraries.</p>
<p>Eligibility itself poses a problem because people in need often miss out due to narrowly defined criteria that excludes people on marginally higher incomes or who are self-employed. Inaccurate government data and flawed disability assessments are also an issue.</p>
<h2>Warm communities</h2>
<p>Fuel poverty is a devolved policy area in the UK, meaning that powers and funding rest with local government. But our <a href="https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-319-69625-6_124-1">research</a> shows that people in poverty and ethnic minority groups often do not trust city councils and local political representatives.</p>
<p>Fortunately, others are taking action. <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/pages/what-is-community-energy">Community Energy England</a>, a not-for-profit company, <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/pages/who-we-are">provides</a> <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/how-to-pages/data-digital">free</a> <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/how-to-pages/community-energy-fortnight-2023-resources">resources</a> for people who want to start <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/how-to-pages/getting-started-with-community-energy">community energy projects</a>. One <a href="https://communityenergyengland.org/how-to-pages/case-studies">example</a>, <a href="https://www.brightonenergy.org.uk/">Brighton Energy Co-op</a>, has invested in the <a href="https://www.brightonenergy.org.uk/home/our-projects/">installation of solar panels</a> on <a href="https://www.brightonenergy.org.uk/home/our-projects/">buildings</a>, ranging from schools to blocks of flats and even a football stadium. Money raised from selling this electricity has helped repay investors and funded insulation and other energy efficiency improvements for vulnerable people. </p>
<p>Energy efficiency experts <a href="https://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/">Groundwork’s Green Doctors</a> also give vulnerable <a href="https://www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/our-partners/">people</a> (remotely and in person) useful tips on how to <a href="https://www.groundwork.org.uk/london/saving-resources/">save energy</a> and where to find discounts. Their <a href="https://www.groundwork.org.uk/london/green-doctors-help-residents/">advice</a> includes demonstrating how to put reflective panels behind radiators so that more heat is kept within rooms instead of being lost through walls.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.fuelbankfoundation.org/">Fuel Bank Foundation</a> provides emergency credits for people whose prepayment meters run out. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1749827902818959515"}"></div></p>
<p>All of this work is helpful because <a href="https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2023/12/homes-hit-hardest-by-fuel-poverty-not-benefiting-from-government-scheme.page">research</a> shows that households in the areas hardest hit by fuel poverty are not benefiting the most from government programmes.</p>
<h2>More help is needed</h2>
<p>People should not be dying as a result of <a href="https://www.nea.org.uk/news/fuel-poverty-charity-reveals-45-people-per-day-die-from-cold-homes/">cold homes</a> in a country as wealthy as <a href="https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true">the UK</a> and given the statistics, the government ought to implement a programme of targeted benefits for elderly people with disabilities, addressing the extra costs related to disability and care needs. </p>
<p>Our <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352126874_Ethnic_Poverty_Causes_Implications_and_Solutions">research</a> also indicates that higher unemployment rates, low wages, and limited career progression in low-paid sectors frequently ends in fuel poverty, particularly among people in lower socioeconomic classes and especially those from Black communities.</p>
<p>Tackling fuel poverty requires <a href="https://energyforall.org.uk/">diverse</a>, long-term solutions. The support currently offered should expand to involve community-led approaches to improve energy efficiency and help those in dire need.</p>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tolu Olarewaju does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Energy bill discounts have failed to meet the scale of the problem, research shows.Tolu Olarewaju, Economist and Lecturer in Management, Keele UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2209902024-01-26T17:58:07Z2024-01-26T17:58:07ZAI is supposed to make us more efficient – but it could mean we waste more energy<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/571460/original/file-20240125-27-18nqs5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6698%2C3138&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">khunkornStudio / shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The European Union is negotiating an <a href="https://theconversation.com/ai-the-world-is-finally-starting-to-regulate-artificial-intelligence-what-to-expect-from-us-eu-and-chinas-new-laws-217573">Artificial Intelligence Act</a>, the world’s first comprehensive law that aims to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) based on the risk it poses to individuals, society and the environment. </p>
<p>However, discussions of AI overlook one significant environmental risk: a potential increase in energy consumption from using it in everyday activities. Without acknowledging this risk, the development of AI may contribute to the climate emergency.</p>
<p>AI can be a double-edged sword. It can be a <a href="https://oxford.shorthandstories.com/ai-how-is-it-being-used-at-oxford/index.html#group-section-Nature-climate-and-the-universe-B1jpQkO4l2">powerful tool for climate action</a>, improving the efficiency of the energy grid, modelling climate change predictions or monitoring climate treaties. But the infrastructure needed to run AI is <a href="https://aiindex.stanford.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/HAI_AI-Index-Report_2023.pdf">energy- and resource-intensive</a>. “Training” a large language model such as OpenAI’s GPT-3, a popular AI-powered chatbot, requires lots of electricity to power data centres that then need <a href="https://arxiv.org/pdf/2304.03271.pdf">lots of water</a> to cool down. </p>
<p>In fact, the true scale of AI’s impact on the environment is probably underestimated, especially if we focus only on the direct carbon footprint of its infrastructure. Today, AI <a href="https://theconversation.com/forget-dystopian-scenarios-ai-is-pervasive-today-and-the-risks-are-often-hidden-218222">permeates almost all aspects</a> of our digitalised daily lives. Businesses use AI to develop, market and deliver products, content and services more efficiently, and AI influences how we search, shop, socialise and organise our everyday lives.</p>
<p>These changes have massive implications for our total energy consumption at a time when we need to actively reduce it. And it’s not yet clear that AI will support us in making more climate-positive choices.</p>
<h2>How AI is changing us</h2>
<p>AI can indirectly change how much energy we use by changing our activities and behaviour – for instance, by completing tasks more efficiently or by substituting analogue tools like physical maps with their digital equivalents. However, things can backfire if convenience and lower costs simply spur demand for more goods or services. This is known as a “<a href="https://vs.inf.ethz.ch/publ/papers/CoroamaMattern2019-DigitalRebound.pdf">rebound effect</a>”, and when the rebound effect is larger than the energy saving, it leads to greater energy use overall. Whether AI leads to more or less energy use will depend on how we adapt to using it.</p>
<p>For example, AI-powered smart home systems can improve energy efficiency by controlling heating and appliances. A smart heating system is estimated to reduce gas consumption by <a href="https://www.bi.team/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/311013-Evaluating-Nest-BIT-Exec-Tech-Summaries.pdf">around 5%</a>. Home energy management and automation could even reduce households’ CO₂ consumption by <a href="https://smarter2030.gesi.org/downloads/Full_report.pdf">up to 40%</a>. </p>
<p>However, a more efficient and comfortably heated home can make people stay at home more often with the heating on. People may also have increased comfort expectations of a warmer house and pre-warming of spaces. A study on <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2023.1178089/full">smart homes</a> found that people purchase and use additional smart devices to increase control and comfort, rather than to use less energy. </p>
<p>In the transport sector, ride-hailing apps that use AI to optimise routes can reduce travel time, distance and congestion. Yet they are displacing more sustainable public transportation and increasing travel demand, resulting in <a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/ride-hailing-climate-risks">69% more climate pollution</a>. </p>
<p>As AI in the transportation sector becomes more advanced, the effect may escalate. The convenience of an autonomous vehicle may increase people’s travel and in a worst-case scenario, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187661021736410X">double the amount of energy used for transport</a>.</p>
<p>In retail, AI-powered advertising and search functions, personalised recommendations or virtual personal assistants may encourage overconsumption rather than sustainable shopping.</p>
<p>Rebound effects can also transpire through time use and across sectors. Research predicts that AI could take <a href="https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2023-02-22-40-time-spent-mundane-chores-could-be-automated-within-10-years-ai-experts-0">over 40% of our time spent doing domestic chores</a> within the next ten years. That idle time is now available for other activities which may be more energy-intensive, such as additional travel.</p>
<h2>How AI is affecting climate action</h2>
<p>At a larger scale, AI will also have systemic impacts that threaten climate action. We are aware of AI’s risks of exacerbating misinformation, bias and discrimination, and inequalities. These risks will have knock-on effects on our ability to take action on climate change. Erosion of people’s trust, agency and political engagement may <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14693062.2022.2121254">undermine their desire</a> to cut emissions and adapt to climate change.</p>
<p>As we grapple with the potential risks of AI, we have to broaden our understanding of how it will affect our behaviour and our environment. Scientists have called for more work to improve and standardise <a href="https://arxiv.org/abs/2211.02001">accounting methodologies for reporting the carbon emissions</a> of AI models. Others have proposed best-practice solutions to reduce energy and carbon emissions from <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9810097">machine learning</a>. </p>
<p>These efforts tackling the direct carbon footprint of AI infrastructure are important, but not enough. When considering the true environmental impacts of AI, its indirect impact on everyday life should not be ignored.</p>
<p>As the technology becomes ever more embedded in our lives, its developers need to think more about human behaviour and how to avoid unintended consequences of AI-driven efficiency savings. Eventually, they’ll have to somehow embed that into the design of AI itself, so that a world in which humans rely on AI isn’t a world which uses extra energy unnecessarily.</p>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
<br><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeTop">Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.</a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeBottom">Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.</a></em></p>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Felippa Amanta receives funding from the European Research Council. </span></em></p>Whether artificial intelligence leads to more or less energy use will depend on how we adapt to using it.Felippa Amanta, PhD Candidate, Environmental Change Institute, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2216932024-01-25T16:18:26Z2024-01-25T16:18:26ZSwimming pools could slash bills by harvesting heat from servers – here’s how to make it work<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/571458/original/file-20240125-23-j7stsw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">More swimming pools could soon be heated using excess heat emitted from data centres in more than 150 UK locations</span> </figcaption></figure><p>My teenage son regularly complains about his room being too warm, even during winter. While the rest of the house is at a comfortable temperature, the video game PC he plays emits a significant amount of heat. </p>
<p>A high-spec computer like his typically has a power of more than 800 watts. That’s enough to <a href="https://www.omnicalculator.com/physics/water-heating">boil one litre of water</a> from room temperature in less than eight minutes. So at scale, computer data processing centres are a massive, and predominantly untapped, source of heat or thermal energy. </p>
<p>A new project run by UK tech firm Deep Green is recapturing some of this heat and using it to warm swimming pools. In March 2023, the company connected <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/14/innovative-heat-tech-save-england-swimming-pools-from-closure">Exmouth Leisure Centre’s</a> 25-metre pool in Devon to an onsite data centre, slashing their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/15/energy-innovation-could-heat-150-uk-swimming-pools-after-200m-investment#:%7E:text=In%20Exmouth%2C%20the%20swimming%20pool,edge%20over%20traditional%20data%20centres">heating bill by 60%</a>. </p>
<p>Now, that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/15/energy-innovation-could-heat-150-uk-swimming-pools-after-200m-investment">pilot is scaling up</a> and 150 public swimming pools could soon be recycling excess heat and cutting their energy bills at the same time. </p>
<h2>The power of data</h2>
<p>The potential to improve energy efficiency is huge. Just like my son’s computer, each data centre produces excess heat from huge servers that work around the clock. Depending on their size, data centre buildings contain thousands, and sometimes <a href="https://www.racksolutions.com/news/blog/how-many-servers-does-a-data-center-have/#:%7E:text=To%20summarize%2C%20a%20data%20center,servers%20in%20a%2052U%20Rack.">millions</a> of computer servers arranged in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAYZU4A3w0">rows of special IT racks</a>. </p>
<p>Just as individual computers need high-speed fans and heat sinks on components such as microprocessors, data centres rely on cooling towers to dissipate excess heat to the surrounding environment. That cooling accounts for about <a href="https://www.device42.com/data-center-infrastructure-management-guide/data-center-power/">50% </a> of total electricity consumption in data centres.</p>
<p>There were approximately 10,978 data centres <a href="https://brightlio.com/data-center-stats/#:%7E:text=The%20global%20data%20center%20market%20is%20massive%20and%20growing.,%3A%20Cloudscene%2C%20Datacentermap%2C%20Statista">worldwide in 2023</a>.
With increasing online connectivity, expansion of AI applications and cloud services, many <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68028666">more data centres</a> will be needed in the future. </p>
<p>In 2022, global data centre electricity consumption was between 240-340 TWh, according to the <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks">International Energy Agency</a>. This is vast given that the UK’s total annual energy consumption was about <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/323410/domestic-electricity-volumes-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/">275 TWh</a> in the same year. In the Republic of Ireland, for example, data centres consumed <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpe9l5ke5jvo">20% of the total electricity consumption</a> in 2022. </p>
<h2>Successful storage</h2>
<p>Heat emitted from data centres can be harnessed to improve energy efficiency and profitability and water is an ideal heat storage medium. We already use water-filled radiators to heat buildings. That’s because water has high thermal capacity and can store more heat than the same volume of air could. </p>
<p>There is a growing awareness of the need to reuse <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/23/recapturing-excess-heat-could-power-most-of-europe-say-experts">excess heat in cities</a> to reduce the impact on the environmental. Public swimming pools offer one ideal solution. </p>
<p>With huge quantities of pool water and showers that need heating, plus huge air-filled spaces within the buildings that must be warm, swimming pools are an ideal consumer of data centre heat. These facilities are also normally open daily beyond the hours of 9am to 5pm, hence swimming pools use much more hot water and need heating for longer than office buildings.</p>
<p>With the recent increase in energy prices, many swimming pools are <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/15/energy-innovation-could-heat-150-uk-swimming-pools-after-200m-investment">suffering financially</a> and would be struggling to increase prices due to the cost of living and energy poverty. In fact, across England, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/12/england-has-lost-almost-400-swimming-pools-since-2010">85 swimming pools have been closed</a> since 2019, mainly due to financial reasons. </p>
<p>Economic difficulties due to rising energy prices could have a potential negative public <a href="https://www.swimming.org/swimengland/more-tier-four-areas/">health effect</a> due to the lack of swimming pool facilities driven by high energy costs. So the successful use of waste heat from data centres to heat swimming pools could have many benefits. </p>
<p>If higher temperatures of water are needed than what cooling systems in data centres could provide, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778823008861?via%3Dihub">heat pumps</a> could be used to upgrade the temperatures to levels suitable to provide hot water and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261917315830?via%3Dihub">efficient heating systems</a>. </p>
<p>A typical heat pump in this configuration could produce water at temperatures at <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8033fae5274a2e87db874d/Domestic_High_Temperature_HPs-_FINAL2.pdf">around 60-65°C</a>. For saunas and steam rooms, where the required temperature above water’s boiling point, electric heaters could provide an additional boost. </p>
<p>How can this play a role in transitioning towards a low-carbon future?
We need to design infrastructure that brings sources of waste heat closer to the facilities that demand heat. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610217307890?via%3Dihub">My team’s research has shown</a> that this could save energy and money, particularly in the case of integrating water in flooded coal mines with waste heat from gas engines to provide extremely efficient heating systems. </p>
<p>So data centres need to be built near facilities that can consume excess heat, such as pools, sports centres and other public buildings with a high demand for space and water heating. To implement that, we need <a href="https://www.danfoss.com/en-gb/about-danfoss/news/cf/danfoss-google-microsoft-and-schneider-electric-join-forces-in-new-innovation-hub-to-accelerate-green-transition-of-data-centres/">better communication</a> between council authorities, businesses and communities that can help expand the scope of this technology. For a seriously streamlined system, we need more forward-thinking urban planning. </p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
<br><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeTop">Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.</a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeBottom">Join the 30,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.</a></em></p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/221693/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Amin Al-Habaibeh receives funding from Innovate UK, The British Council, Royal academy of Engineering, UK Research and Innovation and the European Commission. </span></em></p>Computer data centres produce vast amounts of heat that often gets wasted - now that’s being harnessed to warm swimming pools and improve overall energy efficiency.Amin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2201302024-01-11T01:22:04Z2024-01-11T01:22:04ZHow do I use air conditioning efficiently? Is it better to blast it briefly throughout the day, or just leave it on?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566466/original/file-20231219-19-4ygs6p.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C49%2C6594%2C3820&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/side-view-pleasant-young-woman-using-1809678175">fizkes/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Despite so many people having air conditioning at home now, many are still unsure how to use it efficiently. And air conditioning uses a lot of energy. For example, running all the lights in an average home all day and night consumes about the same energy as one hour of air conditioning of the same space. </p>
<p>Many people think they can save money and energy by just blasting the air conditioning at a very low temperature, such as 17°C, for a short period of time to chill the room – before switching it off and enjoying the chilled air until another blast is needed later on. But it requires a <em>lot</em> of energy to get a room to a very chilly temperature.</p>
<p>While running it briefly and intermittently at a very cool temperature may feel thrifty, it won’t be the most energy efficient choice. Here’s what to do instead.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Start by reducing how hot your home gets</h2>
<p>First, try to minimise the need for air conditioning. Look for ways to stop your house getting hot in the first place.</p>
<p>Heat can come in from outside through surfaces such as walls, windows, and ceilings. Hot air can creep in under doors or through open windows and vents. Appliances and people inside can also generate heat (although the heat impact of people is generally relatively small, unless there’s a large group).</p>
<p>To reduce some of this heat, you can:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>close blinds and windows before it starts getting hot</p></li>
<li><p>use draft stoppers around external doors to stop hot air wafting inside</p></li>
<li><p>plant trees (deciduous trees will let sunlight through in winter)</p></li>
<li><p>install external shading, particularly on north and western aspects of your house</p></li>
<li><p>improving ceiling and wall insulation, window glazing and sealing (if time and budget allow)</p></li>
<li><p>reduce use of the oven and cooktop on very hot days (more efficient appliances, however, reduce this heating effect and save energy).</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Rooftop solar systems provide a dual benefit of adding shade on the roof to stop heat coming in that way, as well as offsetting power usage.</p>
<p>If you’re in a double storey house, the lower level can be a few degrees cooler; it can help just to hang out downstairs on a very hot day. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/spare-a-thought-for-air-conditioning-repair-people-as-the-planet-warms-theyre-really-up-against-it-187143">Spare a thought for air-conditioning repair people. As the planet warms, they're really up against it</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Set your air conditioning to the highest level that’s comfortable</h2>
<p>Turning our attention to the air conditioning unit itself, the most energy efficient action is to set the temperature to the highest value that’s still comfortable (26°C during the day and 22°C when sleeping is often recommended). Then, just let it run.</p>
<p>Modern units (that feature technology known as an “inverter”) will adjust their output efficiently to maintain the indoor temperature at the setting you’ve chosen.</p>
<p>Be careful, however; setting the temperature too low can result in the unit using more power than you think it’s using (based on star rating label).</p>
<p>Older non-inverter units will cycle on and off to maintain the temperature, and you will generally be able to hear and feel it going on and off. (The newer inverter units, by contrast, don’t tend to cycle on and off as much; they usually just stay on and continuously modulate their output). </p>
<p>For non-inverter units, in general, remaining on for much longer than it is off indicates the air conditioning is working very hard. This may suggest the unit is too small for the space you’re trying to cool, or that you just have a lot of heat in the house (are you cooking a roast?). It could also suggest a fault.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A man points his AC remote at the AC unit on the wall." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566479/original/file-20231219-21-f8b8pz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">It’d be better to close the blinds before you start thinking about using the air conditioner.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/man-remote-control-air-conditioner-creates-2161368775">Studio Romantic/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Ceiling fans and servicing can help</h2>
<p>Regardless of the type of air conditioning you have, for each 1°C the temperature is lowered, <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/heating-and-cooling">energy use increases by 5 to 10%</a>. So it’s important not to over-cool. That’s why repeatedly blasting the air conditioning at a very low temperature over the course of the day isn’t wise. </p>
<p>Using ceiling fans along with air conditioning can make things feel cooler by <a href="https://www.nathers.gov.au/publications/validation-nathers-software-tropical-regions">2-3°C</a> due to the air movement, meaning you can set your air conditioning at a higher temperature. Fans use minimal power compared to air conditioning.</p>
<p>Clean the air filters regularly (your manual will explain how) and make sure air grills and vents are not blocked by furniture or, for outdoor units, by vegetation.</p>
<p>If parts of your outdoor units are heavily corroded or badly bent, the unit likely won’t work as well. Animals can cause damage to outdoor units but parts can often be easily replaced.</p>
<p>If your air conditioning doesn’t seem to work well, makes unusual sounds, or if fault codes show up on the display unit, get it serviced.</p>
<p>And if a cool change comes through, switch off the air conditioning and open as many windows and doors as possible to allow the breeze to flow through the house.</p>
<p>If you have a time-of-use electricity tariff (it’ll say on your electricity bill if you do), reducing use in the afternoon and early evening can save a lot. Energy prices can be double or more at these times.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A person turns on a ceiling fan." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566471/original/file-20231219-27-d4eqa7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Using fans along with AC can help cool the room more.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/electric-irony-ceiling-fan-woman-hand-1304819284">Semachkovsky/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>An efficient unit can save you money in the long run</h2>
<p>When it comes time to replace your air conditioning, carefully consider the <a href="https://www.energyrating.gov.au">energy efficiency or star rating</a>.</p>
<p>The more stars the better; even a half star higher could more than pay for itself over the life of the unit (especially if you also use it in winter for heating).</p>
<p>Several state governments also have incentive schemes that can help cover the cost of upgrades or replacements.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/220130/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mark Goldsworthy works for CSIRO, which researches air conditioning as well as performing Minimum Energy Performance Standards testing of air conditioning systems for the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and providing the energy rating method used in the NatHERS residential building energy rating software. However, CSIRO is unlikely to receive any direct benefit from this article.
</span></em></p>While running it briefly and intermittently at a very low temperature may feel thrifty, it will not be the most energy efficient choice. Here’s what to do instead.Mark Goldsworthy, Senior Research Scientist, CSIROLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2201422023-12-20T13:38:01Z2023-12-20T13:38:01ZWhy the COP28 climate summit mattered, and what to watch for in 2024<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566693/original/file-20231219-17-i3ffem.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=6%2C9%2C2038%2C1352&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, had front-row seats at COP28's final session. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/unfccc/53394837161/in/album-72177720313353788/">Kiara Worth/UN Climate Change via Flickr,</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/">CC BY-NC-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Reading down the lengthy <a href="https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/cma2023_L17_adv.pdf">final agreement of the COP28</a> United Nations climate conference held in December 2023, you’ll go a long way before finding a strong, active verb. The lengthy recitation of climate impacts “notes with concern” and occasionally with “significant concern” <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2023">glaring gaps</a> in countries’ current policies. But while countries volunteered pledges to act, they were less keen to have those pledges framed as binding agreements in the final text.</p>
<p>Reactions to COP28’s conclusion have been understandably mixed. Going into the talks, the world was <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/qa-what-is-the-global-stocktake-and-could-it-accelerate-climate-action/">more on track</a> to avert catastrophic warming than it would have been without the <a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement">2015 Paris Agreement</a>, but a long way from where it needs to be.</p>
<p>Even <a href="https://www.iea.org/news/iea-assessment-of-the-evolving-pledges-at-cop28">if all the pledges made at COP28 are implemented</a>, the world will still exceed the Paris goal of keeping global warming under 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) compared to preindustrial temperatures.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Chart shows if all COP28 pledges were met, the world would be closer to the goal of keeping emissions under 1.5 C but not on track." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=368&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=368&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=368&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=462&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=462&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/566601/original/file-20231219-27-qde9s6.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=462&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Climate Action Tracker assessment of countries’ pledges at COP28 to reduce emissions shows progress toward the 2030 goal, but a large gap.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://climateactiontracker.org/publications/cop28-initiatives-create-buzz-will-only-reduce-emissions-if-followed-through/">Copyright Climate Analytics and NewClimate Institute</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Politically, the agreement may have been the best that nations could reach at this time of <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/age-great-power-distraction-kimmage-notte">rising geopolitical tensions</a> and under the leadership of the United Arab Emirates. The UAE is a country of contradictions – a petrostate with renewable energy ambitions, keen to emerge onto the global stage as a green champion, but also <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/nov/30/the-new-scramble-for-africa-how-a-uae-sheikh-quietly-made-carbon-deals-for-forests-bigger-than-uk">accused of colonization tactics</a> in Africa.</p>
<p>Most headlines have focused on the COP28 agreement’s mention of fossil fuels for the first time. The convoluted language called for countries to “<a href="https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/cma2023_L17_adv.pdf">contribute” to</a> “transitioning away from fossil fuels,” not the phaseout supported by a majority of countries. With an <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/05/record-number-of-fossil-fuel-lobbyists-get-access-to-cop28-climate-talks">unprecedented number of energy industry lobbyists</a> on hand, the consensus was described by the most vulnerable countries as a <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-cop28-failed-the-worlds-small-islands-219938">litany of loopholes</a>.</p>
<p>The final agreement was, in large parts, written in a way to secure the future of the natural gas industry. It portrayed natural gas as a necessary bridge fuel while renewable energy expands, an argument that was <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023">disproved by the International Energy Agency</a> before COP28. The agreement also furthered the expectation of continued heavy subsidies for carbon capture and storage, which many energy analysts and economists have dismissed as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/carbon-capture-removal-cop28-fossil-fuels-oil-gas-2bc53c6a8df6d337c1afcabad56377e8">unscalable at a reasonable cost</a>.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, the UAE blasted through some of the old shibboleths of climate negotiation. It broke the polarity of climate finance – the Global South waiting for the Global North to fulfill its promises of public finance – by <a href="https://www.climatechangenews.com/2023/12/10/what-is-alterra-the-uaes-30-billion-green-investment-fund/">focusing on private investment</a> and putting tens of billions of dollars of its sovereign wealth into play. It was not able to persuade others to match its generosity, but there will be more pressure in 2024.</p>
<p>So, what should we look for in the coming months?</p>
<h2>1. Turning new energy pledges into action</h2>
<p>COP28 included <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/af71fc48-b89f-4920-a35b-2867b7adcc0c">significant commitments toward an energy transition</a> away from fossil fuels, including pledges to triple <a href="https://www.cop28.com/en/global-renewables-and-energy-efficiency-pledge">renewable energy capacity, increase energy efficiency</a> and cut <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/2/at-cop28-oil-companies-pledge-to-lower-methane-emissions">methane emissions</a>.</p>
<p>Now it’s up to countries and companies to show progress. That will depend on investments and overcoming supply bottlenecks, as well as new policies and, in the case of methane, <a href="https://www.piie.com/publications/policy-briefs/how-international-agreement-methane-emissions-can-pave-way-enhanced">standards for imports and exports</a>.</p>
<p>The new <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/report/global-cooling-pledge">Global Cooling Pledge</a> to reduce emissions from cooling by 68% while increasing access to cooling technology is increasingly critical. <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/space-cooling">Demand for cooling is driving up energy demand</a> across the globe, particularly in populous countries hard hit by extreme heat, such as India. Developing technologies that help the billions of people most at risk and improve cold supply chains for food and medicine will require more investment and greater priority from governments.</p>
<p>Watch for <a href="https://www.climateresilience.org/">more cities to appoint heat czars</a> to spearhead efforts to protect populations from extreme heat, <a href="https://time.com/6336537/america-tree-equity-urban-climate-solution/">adoption of tree equity plans</a> to increase shade and cooling, and more investment in cooling technologies.</p>
<h2>2. Deploying innovations in finance</h2>
<p>COP28 saw significant innovation in finance, including the UAE’s announcement of the Alterra Fund – a <a href="https://www.climatechangenews.com/2023/12/10/what-is-alterra-the-uaes-30-billion-green-investment-fund/">$30 billion commitment</a> to mobilize private investment in developing countries.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.iosco.org/news/pdf/IOSCONEWS717.pdf">International Organization of Securities Commissions</a> sent a strong statement in support of <a href="https://www.ifrs.org/groups/international-sustainability-standards-board/">corporate sustainability disclosure standards</a> and welcomed <a href="https://icvcm.org/icvcm-and-vcmi-join-forces-to-operationalize-a-high-integrity-market-to-accelerate-global-climate-action/">corporate integrity standards in the voluntary carbon markets</a>. Look for more countries to add rules around <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/net-zero-coalition">“net-zero emissions” pledges</a>.</p>
<h2>3. Putting trade to work for the climate</h2>
<p>Linked to finance and investment is trade, which <a href="https://www.thebanker.com/How-trade-and-trade-finance-can-assist-the-transition-to-net-zero-1701941013">COP28 welcomed</a> to the main stage for the first time.</p>
<p>There are two things to look for in 2024. First, look for the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to align their advice to governments on effective carbon pricing.</p>
<p>Second, while trade and climate negotiators traditionally move in different circles, they will <a href="https://earth.org/free-trade-agreement/">need to work together</a> to ensure the trade system supports climate action. For example, making sure green products and services are not made more expensive than their polluting alternatives.</p>
<h2>4. Fixing the carbon markets</h2>
<p>2023 was a year of pushback on the voluntary carbon markets, as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/18/revealed-forest-carbon-offsets-biggest-provider-worthless-verra-aoe">investigations questioned their effectiveness</a>. COP28’s failure to advance agreements on carbon markets under <a href="https://www.undp.org/energy/blog/what-article-6-paris-agreement-and-why-it-important">Article 6 of the Paris Agreement</a> means they will be a focus in 2024.</p>
<p>In this case, <a href="https://carbonmarketwatch.org/2023/12/13/cop28-article-6-failure-avoids-a-worse-outcome/">no deal was better than a bad deal</a>, but the delay means countries that plan to use carbon markets to meet their net-zero targets are left with uncertainty.</p>
<h2>5. Getting more adaptation funding where it’s needed</h2>
<p>An agreement on a global goal on adaptation, a collective commitment to build resilience and adaptive capacity across the world, was finally reached, but negotiators left the <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/guest-post-what-would-an-ambitious-global-goal-on-adaptation-look-like-at-cop28/">details to be filled in over the next two years</a>.</p>
<p>To get adaptation funding flowing to where it is most needed, top-down discussions will need to start, including <a href="https://www.wri.org/initiatives/locally-led-adaptation/principles-locally-led-adaptation">locally led efforts</a>. Look for adaptation to become a much bigger part of countries’ second-generation climate plans to be submitted to the U.N. before COP30.</p>
<h2>6. Turning new food and ag pledges into action</h2>
<p>A majority of the world’s countries, 159, signed the <a href="https://www.cop28.com/en/food-and-agriculture">UAE Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture, Resilient Food Systems and Climate Action</a>. They agreed to include food systems, which contribute a significant percentage of global emissions and which are fundamental to adaptation and resilience, in the next generation of climate plans to be submitted to the U.N.</p>
<p>The pledge was thin on details, however, so how each country turns words into actions will be crucial in 2024.</p>
<h2>The next big climate milestones</h2>
<p>In late 2024, COP29 will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan – another oil-producing nation. The focus will be on finance. But the <a href="https://unfccc.int/news/cop28-agreement-signals-beginning-of-the-end-of-the-fossil-fuel-era">next big milestone is in 2025</a>, when governments must submit their future pledges and plans for reducing emissions.</p>
<p>COP30 is to be held in Belen in the Brazilian state of Para – the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-great-amazon-land-grab-how-brazils-government-is-clearing-the-way-for-deforestation-173416">frontline of Amazon protection</a>. This will bring a focus on nature-based solutions, but from the perspective of the Global South. President Lula da Silva, who is also the host of the G20 in 2024, wants to see change in the international trade and finance system to reflect shifts in the global economy.</p>
<p>COP28 set forth important initiatives but balked at binding commitments. As countries work on their next generation of plans to try to get the world on track to limit global warming, they will have to consider the whole of their economies and cover all greenhouse gases. The world can’t afford to balk twice.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/220142/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Rachel Kyte is affiliated with VCMI - Voluntary Carbon Markets Integrity Initiative, and Climate Resilience for All CRA</span></em></p>The UN climate conference brought some progress. A former UN official who has been involved in international climate policy for years explains what has to happen now for that progress to pay off.Rachel Kyte, Visiting Professor of Practice, Blavatnik School of Government, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2160672023-10-26T19:03:10Z2023-10-26T19:03:10ZMost data lives in the cloud. What if it lived under the sea?<p>Where is the text you’re reading, right now? In one sense, it lives “on the internet” or “in the cloud”, just like your favourite social media platform or the TV show you might stream tonight.</p>
<p>But in a physical sense, it’s stored and transmitted somewhere in a network of <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1228433/data-centers-worldwide-by-country/">thousands of data centres</a> across the globe. Each of these centres is whirring, buzzing and beeping around the clock, to store, process and communicate vast amounts of data and provide services to hungry consumers. </p>
<p>All this infrastructure is expensive to build and run, and has <a href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-staggering-ecological-impacts-of-computation-and-the-cloud/">a considerable environmental impact</a>. In search of cost savings, greater sustainability and better service, data centre providers are looking to get their feet wet.</p>
<p>Tech giant Microsoft and other companies want to relocate data centres into the world’s oceans, submerging computers and networking equipment to take advantage of cheap real estate and cool waters. Is this a good thing? What about the environmental impact? Are we simply replacing one damaging practice with another?</p>
<h2>Which companies are doing this?</h2>
<p>Microsoft’s <a href="https://natick.research.microsoft.com/">Project Natick</a> has been pursuing the idea of data centres beneath the waves since 2014. The initial premise was that since many humans live near the coast, so should data centres.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Microsoft’s underwater data centre: Project Natick.</span></figcaption>
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<p>An initial experiment in 2015 saw a <a href="https://news.microsoft.com/features/microsoft-research-project-puts-cloud-in-ocean-for-the-first-time/">small-scale data centre</a> deployed for three months in the Pacific Ocean. </p>
<p><a href="https://news.microsoft.com/source/features/sustainability/project-natick-underwater-datacenter/">A two-year follow-up experiment</a> began in 2018. A total of 864 servers, in a 12 by 3 metre tubular structure, were sunk 35 metres deep off the Orkney Islands in Scotland.</p>
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<figcaption><span class="caption">Microsoft’s Project Natick 2.</span></figcaption>
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<p>Microsoft is not the only company experimenting with moving data underwater. <a href="https://www.subseacloud.com/">Subsea Cloud</a> is another American company doing so. China’s Shenzhen HiCloud Data Center Technology Co Ltd has <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202303/31/WS642636b9a31057c47ebb7952.html">deployed centres in tropical waters</a> off the coast of Hainan Island.</p>
<h2>Why move data centres under the waves?</h2>
<p>Underwater data centres promise several advantages over their land-locked cousins.</p>
<p><strong>1) Energy efficiency</strong></p>
<p>The primary benefit is a significant cut in electricity consumption. According to the International Energy Agency, data centres <a href="https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/data-centres-and-data-transmission-networks">consume around 1–1.5%</a> of global electricity use, of which some 40% is used for cooling.</p>
<p>Data centres in the ocean can dissipate heat in the surrounding water. Microsoft’s centre uses a small amount of electricity for cooling, while Subsea Cloud’s design has an entirely passive cooling system.</p>
<p><strong>2) Reliability</strong></p>
<p>The Microsoft experiment also found the underwater centre had a boost in reliability. When it was brought back to shore in 2020, the rate of server failures was less than 20% that of land-based data centres.</p>
<p>This was attributed to the stable temperature on the sea floor and the fact oxygen and humidity had been removed from the tube, which likely decreased corrosion of the components. The air inside the tube had also been replaced with nitrogen, making fires impossible.</p>
<p>Another reason for the increased reliability may have been the complete absence of humans, which prevents the possibility of human error impacting the equipment.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-environmental-cost-of-data-centres-is-substantial-and-making-them-energy-efficient-will-only-solve-half-the-problem-202643">The environmental cost of data centres is substantial, and making them energy-efficient will only solve half the problem</a>
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<p><strong>3) Latency</strong></p>
<p>More than <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-prisms-coastal-futures/article/population-development-as-a-driver-of-coastal-risk-current-trends-and-future-pathways/8261D3B34F6114EA0999FAA597D5F2E2">one third</a> of the world’s population lives within 100 kilometres of a coast. Locating data centres close to where people live reduces the time taken for data to reach them, known as “latency”.</p>
<p>Offshore data centres can be close to coastal consumers, reducing latency, without having to pay the high real-estate prices often found in densely populated areas. </p>
<p><strong>4) Increased security and data sovereignty</strong></p>
<p>Moving data centres into the ocean makes them physically more difficult for hackers or saboteurs to access. It can also make it easier for companies to address “data sovereignty” concerns, in which certain countries require certain data to be stored within their borders rather than transmitted overseas. </p>
<p><strong>5) Cost</strong></p>
<p>Alongside savings due to reduced power bills, fewer hardware failures, and the low price of offshore real estate, the way underwater data centres are built may also cut costs. </p>
<p>The centres can be made in a modular, mass-produced fashion using standardised components, and shipped ready for deployment. There is also no need to consider the comfort or practicality for human operators to interact with the equipment.</p>
<h2>What about the environmental impact?</h2>
<p>At present there is no evidence placing data centres in the world’s oceans will have any significant negative impact. Microsoft’s experiments showed <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/want-an-energyefficient-data-center-build-it-underwater">some localised warming</a>, but “the water just metres downstream of a Natick vessel would get a few thousandths of a degree warmer at most”.</p>
<p>The Microsoft findings also showed the submerged data centre provided habitat to marine life, much like a shipwreck: </p>
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<p>[…] crabs and fish began to gather around the vessel within 24 hours. We were delighted to have created a home for those creatures.</p>
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<p>If underwater data centres go ahead, robust planning will be needed to ensure their placement follows best practise considering <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/14614448221149944">cultural heritage</a> and environmental values. There are also opportunities to enhance the environmental benefits of underwater data centres by incorporating <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2022.105198">nature-positive features</a> in the design to enhance marine biodiversity around these structures.</p>
<h2>What’s next?</h2>
<p>Several companies are actively exploring, or indeed constructing, underwater data centres. While the average end-user will have no real awareness of where their data are stored, organisations may soon have opportunities to select local, underwater cloud platforms and services.</p>
<p>Companies with a desire to shout about their environmental credentials may well seek out providers that offer greener data centres – a change that is likely to only accelerate the move to the ocean.</p>
<p>So far, it looks like this approach is practical and can be scaled up. Add in the environmental and economic savings and this may well be the future of data centres for a significant proportion of the planet.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-are-ignoring-the-true-cost-of-water-guzzling-data-centres-167750">We are ignoring the true cost of water-guzzling data centres</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/216067/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Could the data centres that power the internet be moved to the bottom of the ocean? It’s not as crazy as it soundsPaul Haskell-Dowland, Professor of Cyber Security Practice, Edith Cowan UniversityKathryn McMahon, Deputy Director, Centre for Marine Ecosystems Research, and Associate Dean of Research, Edith Cowan UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2157632023-10-19T17:09:30Z2023-10-19T17:09:30ZFour environmental red flags to watch out for when buying your new home<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554765/original/file-20231019-15-75tk1e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=46%2C0%2C5184%2C3453&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/couple-looking-their-home-367404275">ChickenStock Images/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Have you ever contemplated purchasing an environmentally friendly home but found yourself unsure of where to begin? I can relate if so, as I was in your shoes about a year ago when I set out to purchase my first home.</p>
<p>Amid the escalating climate crisis, there has been a noticeable shift towards the construction of energy-efficient homes. The UK government <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-recommits-uk-to-net-zero-by-2050-and-pledges-a-fairer-path-to-achieving-target-to-ease-the-financial-burden-on-british-families">aims to make</a> all new homes highly energy efficient with low-carbon heating from 2035.</p>
<p>However, for those of us who prefer to live in or near to a city centre, the choices for new housing are quite limited. The alternatives are existing homes and apartments, many of which were built many decades ago without much consideration for energy efficiency.</p>
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<img alt="Quarter life, a series by The Conversation" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/451343/original/file-20220310-13-1bj6csd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><em><strong><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/quarter-life-117947?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=UK+YP2022&utm_content=InArticleTop">This article is part of Quarter Life</a></strong>, a series about issues affecting those of us in our twenties and thirties. From the challenges of beginning a career and taking care of our mental health, to the excitement of starting a family, adopting a pet or just making friends as an adult. The articles in this series explore the questions and bring answers as we navigate this turbulent period of life.</em></p>
<p><em>You may be interested in:</em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/make-new-friends-and-become-a-role-model-why-you-should-consider-volunteering-if-youre-in-your-20s-or-30s-209939">Make new friends and become a role model: why you should consider volunteering if you’re in your 20s or 30s</a></em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/guerilla-gardening-how-you-can-make-your-local-area-greener-without-getting-into-trouble-213037">Guerilla gardening: how you can make your local area greener without getting into trouble</a></em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/house-prices-are-falling-but-that-doesnt-mean-you-should-buy-now-heres-what-first-time-buyers-should-consider-207938">House prices are falling, but that doesn’t mean you should buy now – here’s what first-time buyers should consider</a></em></p>
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<p>As a leading expert in net zero, I thought I had all the necessary knowledge to make the right choices. But, swayed by my emotions, intuition, the location and stunning views, I made some costly mistakes. These included choosing a listed house with no insulation, single-glazed windows, and a heating system in dire need of an upgrade. </p>
<p>Nevertheless, these missteps have provided me with invaluable lessons that can be of benefit to you, if you’re in the market for a new home. Here are four telltale signs that suggest a property isn’t as eco-friendly as it could be.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Panoramic skyline view of London with traditional brick houses in the foreground." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554760/original/file-20231019-21-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">New housing is harder to come by close to city centres.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/london-england-panoramic-skyline-view-skyscrapers-709902058">ZGPhotography/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<h2>1. Single-pane windows</h2>
<p>According to a <a href="https://www.ciob.org/sites/default/files/CIOB_Response_to_EEPH_Green_Deal_CfE%5B1%5D.pdf">2011 study</a> carried out by the Chartered Institute of Building, a global construction management and leadership organisation, a typical house in the UK loses 10% of its heat through its windows and 15% through external doors. That’s a lot of heat. </p>
<p>So, it’s crucial to pay attention to the windows of your prospective home. Look out for single-pane windows and any gaps between the frames that could lead to draughts. </p>
<p>The good news is that you can improve thermal comfort and reduce energy costs by selecting the right windows and frames. Installing A-rated double glazing to windows in a single-glazed, semi-detached property in the UK <a href="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/windows-and-doors/">could save you</a> £155 a year in energy costs and 375kg of carbon dioxide emissions.</p>
<h2>2. Cold walls</h2>
<p>A poorly insulated home can result in unnecessary energy consumption too. In fact, a <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/873663/Detailed_Release_-_HEE_stats_19_March_2020.pdf">standard UK home</a> loses approximately 35% of its heat through the walls and 15% through the roof. </p>
<p>It is difficult to see insulation, but you can check by feeling the walls. If you detect cold spots, especially during the winter, it might be indicative of poor insulation.</p>
<p>When in doubt, consulting the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate">energy performance certificate</a> of the house you’re considering purchasing is a wise step. This should tell you if there is insulation, what type of insulation it is (insulation made from natural materials like wood fibre or sheep’s wool is the best eco option), and how suitable it is for your location. </p>
<p>My own research suggests that Scottish homes with proper insulation are <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13061518">24% more likely</a> to maintain an indoor temperature between 20°C and 25°C, and experience a 67% lower likelihood of overheating (where the indoor temperature exceeds 25°C). But despite this fact, <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/english-housing-survey-2021-to-2022-headline-report/english-housing-survey-2021-to-2022-headline-report">little more than half</a> (52%) of UK dwellings had cavity or solid wall insulation in 2021.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Close-up of worker hands in white gloves insulating." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554769/original/file-20231019-32-e55s3e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Check the walls for insulation.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-worker-hands-white-gloves-insulating-1117428599">Bilanol/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>3. Old boilers</h2>
<p>When you’re looking at a property, one of the first things to ask should be whether you can test the boiler or heating system. If the radiators fail to heat up, you encounter rattling or banging noises, or detect unpleasant smells from the boiler, then it probably needs replacing. </p>
<p>On average, heating and hot water accounts for <a href="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/boilers/">over half of what you spend</a> in a year on energy bills, so having a good boiler is important. Modern boilers are more efficient than older ones, in part because they are “condensing”. This means they recover heat from the exhaust gas and use it to heat the central heating water.</p>
<p>Make sure you thoroughly examine the property’s thermostat and boiler features. Certain boilers are OpenTherm compatible, meaning they can communicate with a smart thermostat, thereby enhancing a home’s temperature regulation.</p>
<p>Another heating system you may want to look for are heat pumps. These are <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps/how-a-heat-pump-works">far more efficient</a> than conventional heating technologies and ideally suited for well-insulated homes. But, as with electric boilers, the carbon savings associated with heat pumps will depend on how green the electricity is that powers them.</p>
<h2>4. Leaky radiators</h2>
<p>Radiators are the typical way we distribute heat around our homes. However, older radiators may contain blockages that result in uneven temperature distribution and, in some instances, no heat at all.</p>
<p>Inspect the radiators closely. Search for any signs of water leakage around the radiators and listen for unusual noises while the heating system is running. If they look to be a decade old or more, they might need to be replaced.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A leaking old rusty radiator in a home." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/554762/original/file-20231019-15-nhfg3n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Look out for water leaking from radiators.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/leaking-old-rusty-heating-radiator-home-2330688465">Yevhen Prozhyrko/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><a href="https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/201911104009">Underfloor heating</a> distributes heat more evenly throughout a house than traditional radiators, all while operating at a lower temperature. Another potentially more environmentally friendly alternative is electric heating – but again, its sustainability ultimately depends on whether your energy provider uses renewable energy sources.</p>
<p>It is important to note that finding a property with all the desired eco-friendly features may present a challenge. However, some of these features, particularly double-glazed windows, are fairly straightforward to install in most homes and will yield substantial benefits in the future.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/215763/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alejandro Moreno-Rangel receives funding from the UKRI. He is affiliated with the UK Indoor Environments Group (UKIEG).</span></em></p>Buying a new house can be overwhelming – here’s how to make sure you’re not left with one that guzzles energy.Alejandro Moreno-Rangel, Lecturer in Building Performance Evaluation and net Zero Design, University of Strathclyde Licensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2140932023-09-21T16:37:04Z2023-09-21T16:37:04ZHow Sunak’s back-pedalling on net zero could damage efforts to decarbonise Britain’s homes<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549619/original/file-20230921-21-m15ft0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6879%2C3630&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/aerial-view-above-rooftops-run-down-2285666517">Clare Louise Jackson/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Rishi Sunak, the UK prime minister, has announced his government will scrap or delay a number of measures designed to help the UK reach net zero by 2050, with a particular focus on housing. This includes getting rid of impending requirements for landlords and property owners to upgrade the energy efficiency of their homes with insulation and other measures. And the ban on installing gas boilers in new homes will be pushed from 2025 until 2035. </p>
<p>Instead, the government will rely more heavily on schemes to encourage people to make energy-efficiency improvements, such as grants to replace boilers have increased by 50% to £7,500 alongside other. But what effect is this likely to have on efforts to decarbonise Britain’s housing stock?</p>
<p>Several reviews of the government’s net zero strategy have already highlighted that continuous policy changes and U-turns, such as discontinuing subsidies after only a year or so, are <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Progress-in-reducing-UK-emissions-2023-Report-to-Parliament.pdf">counterproductive</a>. These include <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/CCC-Independent-Assessment-The-UKs-Heat-and-Buildings-Strategy.pdf">reports</a> by government advisers the <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Independent-Assessment-of-the-UK-Net-Zero-Strategy-CCC.pdf">Climate Change Committee</a> and one chaired by the former Conservative energy minister, Chris Skidmore, which was <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1128689/mission-zero-independent-review.pdf">published</a> in January 2023.</p>
<p>All these sources emphasise that frequent programme changes reduce both the demand for energy-efficiency investments among property owners and the ability of firms to meet it. On the demand side, this announcement seemingly rewards those landlords who have been waiting to upgrade their property by the original deadline of 2025. In the future, others might similarly put off making changes to comply with incoming regulations and requirements. </p>
<p>This wait-and-see approach affects the supply side too. If firms can less reliably predict demand they might hold off on investing, for instance, in hiring or training skilled workers or by securing contracts for parts. </p>
<p>Requirements to upgrade homes to make them more energy-efficient could act as a catalyst by creating a clear goal towards which UK firms and the public can work, enabling the market to shift towards greener options. Eliminating these requirements is a missed opportunity for property owners and firms alike.</p>
<h2>The cost of policy U-turns</h2>
<p>In general, subsidies for retrofitting homes and upgrading boilers <a href="https://ifs.org.uk/sites/default/files/output_url_files/8-Tax-policies-to-help-achieve-net-zero-carbon-emissions-.pdf">don’t appear to have worked well</a> so far. </p>
<p>The green homes grant, introduced in October 2020, gave homeowners vouchers to cover much of the cost of energy-efficiency improvements using accredited suppliers. However, this scheme ended with most of the funding unspent, as accreditation proved costly and complex for firms and businesses did not scale up their operations and train new staff for a programme that was only designed to last a few months. </p>
<p>To this day, when I speak with builders they lament the paperwork required to access the most recent boiler upgrade scheme, as well as the delays they face in getting reimbursed. It will be hard to judge the newly promised funds until the details are unveiled.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A gloved hand detaching a hose from a metal valve." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=397&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/549616/original/file-20230921-23-2kp2rk.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=499&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Repeated government schemes have failed to help homes use less gas.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/technician-replacing-connecting-gas-hose-repair-2208355571">Yevhen Prozhyrko/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The argument made by landlord associations (and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/prime-minister-landlords-national-housing-federation-government-rishi-sunak-b2415315.html">parroted by the government</a>) that the requirement to upgrade the efficiency of rental properties would have raised rents for tenants is flawed. </p>
<p>When homes are sold or leased today, the must have an energy performance certificate (EPC) that rates their energy efficiency on a scale of A-G, with A being the most efficient. This also includes recommendations on how to improve the energy efficiency of the property. </p>
<p>While it is true that properties with higher EPC ratings demand higher rents on average compared to <a href="https://epc.opendatacommunities.org/">similar neighbouring properties</a>, it is hard to know what other improvements will also have increased the rental price.</p>
<p><strong>How EPC ratings affected rental values in London, 2012-2021</strong></p>
<p>Retrofitting homes would also boost their resale values, allowing landlords to recoup costs. And as many others have already pointed out, it would also lower energy bills and improve the comfort and wellbeing of those living in them, with knock-on benefits for public health among the many net positive effects.</p>
<p>The government’s announcement creates a lose-lose-lose situation. It <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/sep/20/scientists-and-green-groups-dismay-at-uks-net-zero-u-turn">jeopardises</a> the UK’s ability to meet its net zero targets while leaving vulnerable families in potentially outdated and drafty houses. </p>
<p>The effects of this backpedaling are not restricted to housing either. They are likely to undermine the credibility of net zero policies across the board, discouraging UK businesses from investing in green jobs and technologies. </p>
<p>If there is a legitimate concern that net zero policies will burden low-income families, then this could be addressed with more direct intervention by the government to ease the cost-of-living with lump-sum transfers and other measures that do not blunt incentives to invest in energy efficiency for everyone.</p>
<hr>
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<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ludovica Gazze receives funding from the ESRC and the University of Warwick.</span></em></p>The government’s unpredictable approach to energy-efficiency has cost progress to net zero before.Ludovica Gazze, Assistant Professor in the Department of Economics, University of WarwickLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2125152023-09-07T12:22:32Z2023-09-07T12:22:32ZHeat pumps will cool your home during the hottest of summers and reduce your global warming impact<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/545842/original/file-20230831-21-j48r02.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5499%2C4116&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Compare cooling efficiency ratings before buying a home heat pump.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/heat-pumps-outside-the-house-royalty-free-image/1408849134?phrase=home+heat+pumps&adppopup=true">adventtr/iStock via Getty Images Plus</a></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>Heat pumps can be used to both cool and heat homes. The 2022 federal <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook/">Inflation Reduction Act</a> provides <a href="https://www.hvac.com/expert-advice/inflation-reduction-act-heat-pump-rebates/">financial incentives for installing one</a>. SciLine interviewed <a href="https://wcec.ucdavis.edu/person/theresa-pistochini/">Theresa Pistochini</a> of the <a href="https://energy.ucdavis.edu/">Energy Efficiency Institute</a> and <a href="https://wcec.ucdavis.edu/">Western Cooling Efficiency Center</a> at the University of California, Davis. She describes how home heat pumps work; how switching to a heat pump reduces your home’s environmental impact; and when to upgrade your heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems.</em> </p>
<figure>
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/856913096" width="500" height="281" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Theresa Pistochini discusses how home heat pumps affect indoor air quality.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p><em>Below are some highlights from the discussion. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.</em></p>
<p><strong>What is a home heat pump, and how does it work?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> This decades-old technology is similar to an air conditioner, but a <a href="https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems#:%7E">home heat pump</a> also contains a reversing valve that switches the direction the refrigerant flows when you want heating instead of air conditioning. </p>
<p>In heating mode, the refrigerant absorbs heat from outside and pumps it inside a building using a compressor. In air conditioning mode, the refrigerant absorbs the heat inside a building and pumps it outside.</p>
<p>The building can be heated and cooled with the same piece of equipment by switching the mode its operating in.</p>
<p><strong>How efficient are heat pumps at heating homes?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> Efficiency varies depending on the temperature that you’re pumping against. </p>
<p>Let’s talk about a gas furnace for a minute. It’s burning fuel at your home, and it’s turning that fuel into heat. Furnaces are around <a href="https://www.consumerreports.org/appliances/gas-furnaces/buying-guide/">80% to 96% efficient</a>.</p>
<p>A heat pump can be <a href="https://green-energy-efficient-homes.com/heat-pump-efficiency.html">more than 100% efficient</a> because it is not generating heat but just moving it from one place to another. This means heat pumps, depending on outdoor conditions and on the heat pump design, can be anywhere from 200% to 400% efficient. This means the system moves more heat than the energy required to operate the system. For example, an efficiency of 200% means that two units of heat are moved from outdoors to indoors for every one unit of electricity used.</p>
<p><strong>Are heat pumps more efficient than air conditioners at cooling homes?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> They should be comparable. You can compare cooling efficiency ratings when you buy a heat pump. What’s important to know is that air conditioning efficiency has improved over the last couple of decades. So if you’re replacing an older air conditioner with a brand new heat pump, you would expect <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=40232">a pretty big jump in efficiency</a> and a lot of savings on your cooling bills.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="An engineer wearing a hard hat and bright green safety vest inspects a wind turbine." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/546499/original/file-20230905-17-dgejy8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The use of renewables to generate electricity is on the rise.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/middle-aged-engineer-using-digital-laptop-for-royalty-free-image/1311918724?phrase=electrical+generating+plant&adppopup=true">Suriyapong Thongsawang/Moment via Getty Images</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong>How does switching to a heat pump affect a home’s global warming impact?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> When a homeowner burns natural gas or some sort of fossil fuel at home, they create emissions on site, mainly carbon dioxide. These emissions escape to the atmosphere, and that has global warming potential. </p>
<p>A heat pump uses electricity – there are no on-site emissions. But it’s important to ask how was that electricity created, and what was the global warming impact associated with that? That’s changing rapidly as the way we generate electricity is evolving with the <a href="https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=56760">increase of renewables on the grid</a>.</p>
<p>That said, based on an <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2022.112813">analysis we did here</a> at the Western Cooling Efficiency Center, buying a heat pump today will reduce global warming impact in almost all geographical locations – basically everywhere – except maybe in the very coldest climates. And those improvements will only increase with time because the generation of electricity will continue to get cleaner. </p>
<p><strong>Are there other reasons to switch to a heat pump?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> Natural gas furnaces are fairly clean burning, and those emissions are generated outside. But there is some evidence that we get some <a href="https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.8b03217">methane leakage inside our homes</a> from natural gas appliances. And so there are expected to be some indoor air quality benefits from switching to all electric appliances. </p>
<p><strong>Why should people care about indoor air quality, and how can they improve it?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> People spend 85% to 90% of their time indoors. We have to be concerned about what we’re breathing. And there’s increasing evidence that the more particulate matter we breathe, the more impacts <a href="https://www.epa.gov/pmcourse/particle-pollution-and-respiratory-effects#:%7E">on our respiratory health and life span</a>. This is essentially an opportunity to create a safer environment in our home. </p>
<p>Indoor <a href="https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/inside-story-guide-indoor-air-quality">sources of air pollution</a> are varied. Cooking can be a source, particularly without appropriate ventilation like an exhaust hood or open windows. Also burning things, like candles or incense, or any type of scented products – if you can smell a scent, those scents are created by chemicals. Cleaning products can also release chemicals inside. Smoking is hazardous to your health in general, but smoking indoors also pollutes the air for other occupants – and that includes <a href="https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040119-094043">the use of e-cigarettes</a>.</p>
<p>When the outdoor air quality is poor, you should close windows and weatherproof, and then try to clean the indoor environment through filtration. Portable air cleaners are really great at this because they can <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7027e1.htm#:%7E">remove particles that infiltrate from outdoors</a>, and they can also remove particles we generate indoors, like from cooking. Any particle you capture in a filter is a particle that doesn’t deposit inside your lungs. </p>
<p><strong>What else should people know when thinking about upgrading their heating, ventilation and air conditioning system?</strong></p>
<p><strong>Theresa Pistochini:</strong> If your system <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sponsor-story/service-experts/2019/05/07/5-signs-say-its-time-replace-your-homes-hvac-system/3586227002/">is more than 15 years old</a> – and definitely if it’s more than 20 years old – start thinking during a non-busy time, like spring or fall, about getting some bids to replace your system and see what options are available to you. That way, you’re ahead of the curve and not having to make a rush decision.</p>
<p><em>Watch the <a href="https://www.sciline.org/tech/heat-pumps-air-quality/">full interview</a> to hear more.</em></p>
<p><em><a href="https://www.sciline.org/">SciLine</a> is a free service based at the nonprofit American Association for the Advancement of Science that helps journalists include scientific evidence and experts in their news stories.</em></p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212515/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Theresa Pistochini has received funding from the following entities in the prior five years: California Air Resources Board, Natural Resources Defense Council, National Philanthropic Trust, California Energy Commission, Trane Technologies, RMS Energy Consulting, Des Champs Technologies LLC, Daikin U.S. Corporation, Arbnco, and the Western Cooling Efficiency Center’s Affiliate Program. She is affiliated with the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers. </span></em></p>Heat pumps can be 400% more efficient than a gas furnace.Theresa Pistochini, PhD Candidate, Civil and Environmental Engineering, UC Davis, University of California, DavisLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2121172023-09-06T20:13:56Z2023-09-06T20:13:56ZOn hot days, up to 87% of heat gain in our homes is through windows. On cold days, it’s 40% of heat loss. Here’s how we can fix that<p>Climate change and energy costs mean we need to rethink how we <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-99-2760-9">design and build our homes</a>. The updated <a href="https://abcb.gov.au/news/2022/using-ncc-2022-prior-1-may-2023#ncc-application-within-states-and-territories">National Construction Code</a> has lifted the required energy performance of new housing from <a href="https://theconversation.com/7-star-housing-is-a-step-towards-zero-carbon-but-theres-much-more-to-do-starting-with-existing-homes-189542">6 stars to 7 stars</a> (10 stars being the best). Windows are an obvious focus for improving the energy efficiency of Australian homes. </p>
<p>On hot days, most of the heat that gets into our homes is through the windows. On cold days, windows account for almost half the heat loss. High-performance insulating windows have been installed in Australian homes at a fraction of the rates for New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom. </p>
<p>In our newly published <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/research-data-and-insights/research/research-reports/upscaling-high-performance-windows-in-victoria">report</a>, we found the local window industry can produce the high-performance windows we need for thermally efficient homes. These homes will cost less to heat and cool, with lower greenhouse gas emissions. </p>
<p>But the industry is complex, with several obstacles to greater uptake of these windows. We identified a range of government policies and industry actions that could help drive change.</p>
<iframe title="Percentage of housing with high-performance windows" aria-label="Column Chart" id="datawrapper-chart-Il3PZ" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/Il3PZ/1/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: none;" width="100%" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/7-star-housing-is-a-step-towards-zero-carbon-but-theres-much-more-to-do-starting-with-existing-homes-189542">7-star housing is a step towards zero carbon – but there's much more to do, starting with existing homes</a>
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<h2>How much difference do windows make?</h2>
<p>Single-glazed windows are common in Australian housing. Heat travels easily through these windows so they are a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778821005843#b0135">thermal weak spot</a>. </p>
<p>In Australian homes, up to 87% of heat gain in summer and 40% of heat loss in winter is <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing">through the windows</a>. This makes it harder to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. </p>
<p>Around <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/energy/heating-and-cooling">40% of household energy use</a> in the average Australian home is for heating and cooling. The result is high power bills.</p>
<h2>High-performance windows can solve this problem</h2>
<p>Better windows are available. <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/glazing">Double-glazed and triple-glazed windows</a> offer much better performance, reducing the need to use energy for heating and cooling. In some climate zones, they’re one of the most <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-most-cost-effective-energy-efficiency-investments-you-can-make-and-how-the-new-inflation-reduction-act-could-help-188506">cost-effective investments</a> in energy efficiency you can make.</p>
<p>These windows have insulating layer(s) of air between the glass panes. Other elements can also improve performance. These include thermal breaks (an insulating barrier that reduces heat flow through the window frame) and films that can be applied to the panes. </p>
<p>These approaches can be used in new window units, or with <a href="https://renew.org.au/renew-magazine/buyers-guides/window-buyers-guide/">retrofit options</a> such as secondary glazing, which can be cheaper than replacing the whole window unit. It involves installing a glazed panel in a frame inside an existing window. This can be a great solution for apartments as it might not require owners corporation approval.</p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/keen-to-retrofit-your-home-to-lower-its-carbon-footprint-and-save-energy-consider-these-3-things-175921">Keen to retrofit your home to lower its carbon footprint and save energy? Consider these 3 things</a>
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<p>High-performance windows <a href="https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en">offer many benefits</a> beyond greater thermal comfort. These include better physical and mental health as a result of homes no longer being <a href="https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/heatwaves-homes-and-health-rmit_full-report.pdf">too hot</a> or <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953623003118">too cold</a>, improved control of ventilation and natural light, and reduced noise from outdoors.</p>
<p>Australia is trailing far behind other countries in installing high-performance windows. Just over 10% of windows in new housing in Australia are high-performance – versus around 80% in the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand.</p>
<iframe title="Uptake of high-performance windows by state and territory" aria-label="Interactive line chart" id="datawrapper-chart-9AEtK" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/9AEtK/2/" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: none;" width="100%" height="400" data-external="1"></iframe>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-a-lemon-law-to-make-all-the-homes-we-buy-and-rent-more-energy-efficient-204369">We need a 'lemon law' to make all the homes we buy and rent more energy-efficient</a>
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<h2>Scaling up use of high-performance windows</h2>
<p>We explored the window and residential building industry in Victoria on behalf of Sustainability Victoria. Our aim was to understand the industry and its readiness to scale up the manufacture, sale and installation of high-performance windows. We also wanted to understand what support might be needed to achieve this transition. </p>
<p>The people we spoke to, drawn from across the sector, said they are ready to scale up once demand is there. They clearly said there isn’t any technological barrier to doing this. </p>
<p>The time from ordering to receiving windows has increased in recent years as part of wider supply-chain issues. We were told this was almost resolved. However, a rapid scaling up of demand for high-performance windows could create short-term supply challenges.</p>
<p>The builders we spoke to identified some issues around understanding the various window products, such as the relative benefits of different frame materials. For example, uPVC and timber frames typically conduct less heat than aluminium. However, a thermal break can greatly improve aluminium frame performance.</p>
<p>They also noted that high-performance windows cost more. This can be a challenge in an industry already struggling to provide housing at affordable prices. </p>
<p>In addition, high-performance windows are heavier. Extra equipment could be needed to install them.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/will-7-star-housing-really-cost-more-it-depends-but-you-can-keep-costs-down-in-a-few-simple-ways-189627">Will 7-star housing really cost more? It depends, but you can keep costs down in a few simple ways</a>
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<h2>How can policy help improve uptake?</h2>
<p>We found the industry is complex. A range of measures will likely be needed to encourage the uptake and delivery of more high-performance windows. Our research proposes the following interventions:</p>
<ul>
<li><p><strong>regulation</strong> – further improve regulations to nudge use of high-performance windows, which could include setting minimum performance requirements for windows as New Zealand has done</p></li>
<li><p><strong>education</strong> – better educate builders and consumers with easy-to-understand, transparent information to bust myths about high-performance windows and encourage people to consider their wider benefits</p></li>
<li><p><strong>finance</strong> – there is a need to reduce capital costs (economies of scale will help) and improve access to government support, which could include rebates for home owners, similar to those for rooftop solar systems </p></li>
<li><p><strong>quality assurance</strong> – the range of high-performance window options means we need to ensure key intermediaries like energy assessors provide well-informed advice. Support tools such as the <a href="https://werslink.com.au/wers/search.html#residential-simulation-search">Window Energy Rating Scheme</a> can help with decision-making. There is also a need to ensure quality installation practices. </p></li>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/better-than-net-zero-making-the-promised-1-2-million-homes-climate-friendly-would-transform-construction-in-australia-211825">Better than net zero? Making the promised 1.2 million homes climate-friendly would transform construction in Australia</a>
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<h2>Windows for the future</h2>
<p>Given the key role of windows in housing quality, performance and emissions, installing high-performance windows needs to become business as usual. In many other countries, double-or-triple-glazed windows are now standard. If we don’t do the same, we will lock households into lower-quality, poorly performing housing for decades.</p>
<p>Making high-performance windows standard building practice in Australia is achievable. However, some support for the window industry, builders and households will be needed.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/212117/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian Government and various industry partners. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network. This article derives from research funded through a contract between Sustainability Victoria and RMIT University.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lisa de Kleyn has worked on projects that received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council and Victorian Government. This article derives from research funded through a contract between Sustainability Victoria and RMIT University.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Tom Simko has worked on projects that received funding from the Victorian Government. This article derives from research funded through a contract between Sustainability Victoria and RMIT University.</span></em></p>Compared to roughly 80% in the US, UK and NZ, only 11% of Australian homes have high-performance windows. Installing them can transform a household’s comfort, energy use and emissions.Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityLisa de Kleyn, Research Fellow, Climate Change Adaptation Lab, La Trobe UniversityTom Simko, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2106492023-07-31T20:01:05Z2023-07-31T20:01:05ZCooking (and heating) without gas: what are the impacts of shifting to all-electric homes?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540063/original/file-20230731-238580-434fnd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=446%2C0%2C4289%2C2868&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Gas connections for all new housing and sub-divisions will be <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-victorian-homes-go-all-electric-2024">banned in Victoria</a> from January 1 next year. The long-term result of the state government’s significant change to planning approvals will be all-electric housing. The ACT made <a href="https://www.climatechoices.act.gov.au/policy-programs/preventing-new-gas-network-connections">similar changes</a> early this year, in line with a shift away from gas across <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47559920">Europe</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/19/gas-stove-culture-war-united-states">other locations</a>, although the NSW Premier Chris Minns has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jul/31/nsw-wont-ban-gas-in-new-homes-as-premier-declares-i-dont-need-another-complication">baulked</a> at doing the same. </p>
<p>Around <a href="https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorias-gas-substitution-roadmap">80% of homes</a> in Victoria are connected to gas. This high uptake was driven by gas being seen as more affordable and sustainable than electricity over past decades. The situation has <a href="https://www.iea.org/events/net-zero-by-2050-a-roadmap-for-the-global-energy-system">changed dramatically</a> as renewable electricity generation increases and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-27/aemo-wholesale-electricity-prices-fall-impact-power-bills/102654498">costs fall</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/all-electric-homes-are-better-for-your-hip-pocket-and-the-planet-heres-how-governments-can-help-us-get-off-gas-207409">Research</a> has suggested for more than a decade that the benefits of all-electric homes <a href="https://bze.org.au/research_release/energy-efficient-buildings-plan/">stack up in many locations</a>. New homes built under mandatory building energy performance standards (increasing from <a href="https://thefifthestate.com.au/innovation/building-construction/victoria-kicks-the-can-down-the-road-again-on-the-national-construction-code/">6 to 7 stars</a> in Victoria in May 2024) need smaller, cheaper heating and cooling systems. Installing reverse-cycle air conditioning for cooling provides a cost-effective heater as a bonus. </p>
<p>Savings from not requiring gas pipes, appliances and gas supply infrastructure help to offset the costs of highly efficient electric appliances. Mandating fully electric homes means economies of scale will further reduce costs. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/all-electric-homes-are-better-for-your-hip-pocket-and-the-planet-heres-how-governments-can-help-us-get-off-gas-207409">All-electric homes are better for your hip pocket and the planet. Here's how governments can help us get off gas</a>
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<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1684723132048056320"}"></div></p>
<h2>How does this ban help?</h2>
<p>To achieve environmentally sustainable development, reforms of planning policy and regulation <a href="https://theconversation.com/sustainable-cities-australias-building-and-planning-rules-stand-in-the-way-of-getting-there-84263">are essential</a> to convert innovation and best practice to mainstream practice. Planning policy is particularly important for apartment buildings and other housing that may be rented or have an owners’ corporation. Retrofits to improve energy efficiency can be difficult in these situations. </p>
<p>Banning gas in new and renovated housing will <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/getting-off-gas/">cut greenhouse gas emissions</a>. It’s also <a href="https://theconversation.com/gas-cooking-is-associated-with-worsening-asthma-in-kids-but-proper-ventilation-helps-151591">healthier for households</a> and <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/research-data-and-insights/research/research-reports/the-victorian-healthy-homes-program-research-findings">reduces healthcare costs</a> as well as <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/getting-off-gas/">energy bills and infrastructure costs</a>. The Victorian government suggests the change will save all-electric households <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-victorian-homes-go-all-electric-2024">about $1,000 a year</a>. Houses with solar will be even better off.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
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<p>The government appears to be offering wide support to ensure these changes happen, but this will need to be monitored closely.</p>
<p>Some households will face extra costs for electric appliances and solar panels. The government’s announcement of <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-victorian-homes-go-all-electric-2024">$10 million</a> for Residential Electrification Grants should help with some of these costs while the industry adjusts.</p>
<p>There will be impacts and benefits for the local economy. Some jobs may be lost, particularly in the gas appliance and plumbing industry. The government has announced financial support to retrain people and they will still have essential roles in the existing housing sector. </p>
<p>Many gas appliances are imported, including ovens, cooktops and instantaneous gas water heaters. Some components of efficient electric products, such as hot water storage tanks, are made locally. Local activities, including distribution, sales, design, installation and maintenance, comprise much of the overall cost. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An electric heat pump installed next to a gas meter outside a home" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540062/original/file-20230731-3718-wtpcdl.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Households will ultimately benefit from avoiding the costs of having both electricity and gas services.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/keen-to-get-off-gas-in-your-home-but-struggling-to-make-the-switch-research-shows-youre-not-alone-209589">Keen to get off gas in your home, but struggling to make the switch? Research shows you're not alone</a>
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<h2>Challenges of change must be managed</h2>
<p>Sustainability benefits will depend on what <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/getting-off-gas/">happens with the energy network</a>. We need more renewable energy, energy storage and smarter management of electricity demand.</p>
<p>The shift to all-electric homes may mean winter peak demand for heating increases. Energy market operators and governments will have to monitor demand changes carefully to avoid the reliability issues we already see in summer. However, improving energy efficiency, energy storage and demand management will help reduce this load (and household costs).</p>
<p>While the benefits are clear for new homes, the changes may <a href="https://www.bsl.org.au/research/publications/enabling-electrification/">increase gas costs and energy poverty</a> for residents of existing housing who don’t shift to efficient electric solutions. The government has reconfirmed financial rebates to help households switch from gas. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-power-can-cut-living-costs-but-its-not-an-option-for-many-people-they-need-better-support-201090">Solar power can cut living costs, but it's not an option for many people – they need better support</a>
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<p>In addition, existing housing may face building quality and performance issues. Some may require electrical wiring upgrades as part of the transition. </p>
<p>Social acceptance of some electric appliances may also be an issue. For example, <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/property-construction-and-project-management/research/research-centres-and-groups/sustainable-building-innovation-laboratory/projects/heet-housing-energy-efficiency-transitions">our research</a> has found some households dislike the way heating from reverse cycle air conditioners feels. Others do not like cooking on induction cooktops. </p>
<p>Consumer education and modifications to appliances and buildings may be needed to increase acceptance and avoid backlash.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="pot on the boil on a gas stove with a woman preparing food in the background" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/540064/original/file-20230731-105442-1c4ax5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Some people prefer gas cooktops despite their impacts on health and emissions.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Some electric appliances are available overseas but not in Australia. Higher demand may increase the range of imports. For example, floor-mounted heat pumps can make heating feel similar to gas heating while still providing effective cooling.</p>
<p>We should not assume electric appliances are all equal. To improve consumer protection, action is needed on weak standards and limited and inconsistent public information. For example, information on noise levels and efficiency under a range of weather conditions must be standardised.</p>
<p>Moving housing away from gas is an <a href="https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-99-2760-9">important step</a> in the transition to a zero-carbon economy and energy system. Careful management is needed to ensure this transition is effective, accepted and fair. </p>
<p>Continued planning reforms are also essential to ensure environmentally sustainable development of housing and communities. Other urgent priorities include urban cooling and greening, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/turning-the-housing-crisis-around-how-a-circular-economy-can-give-us-affordable-sustainable-homes-208745">circular economy approaches</a> to reduce the material and waste impacts of housing and thus the carbon that goes into building and running homes.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/turning-the-housing-crisis-around-how-a-circular-economy-can-give-us-affordable-sustainable-homes-208745">Turning the housing crisis around: how a circular economy can give us affordable, sustainable homes</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210649/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian Government and various industry partners and is currently working on a project funded by the Future Fuels CRC exploring the use of gas and electricity in Victorian homes. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alan Pears consults to and advises a number of industry organisations, government agencies and community groups. He has received funding from and has affiliations with government agencies, community groups and industry groups with interests in housing, climate and energy policy. He has received funding from various organisations including ARENA, RMIT University, University of Melbourne, RACE for 2030 Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian and Australian Governments and various industry partners. He is currently working with the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Joe Hurley has received funding from various organisations including the Federal Government, the Victorian Government and various industry partners and is currently working on a project funded by the Australian Research Council on measuring cumulative heat in Australian cities. He is a on the technical advisory committee for the Council Alliance for Sustainable Built Environment.</span></em></p>The ban on gas connections to new homes in Victoria reflects global trends and will ultimately save households money and cut their emissions.Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityAlan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT UniversityJoe Hurley, Associate Professor, Sustainability and Urban Planning, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2085182023-07-03T11:15:31Z2023-07-03T11:15:31ZHow heating your home fuels climate change – and why government measures are failing to stop it<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534550/original/file-20230628-22-io92tf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5499%2C3679&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Heat pumps are three times more energy-efficient than boilers.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/caucasian-hvac-heating-cooling-technician-his-2202142891">Virrage Images/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The UK’s housing stock is old, energy inefficient and heavily reliant on fossil fuel heating systems – mainly gas boilers. With heating responsible for 17% of the UK’s <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy/heat-and-building-strategy-accessible-webpage#fn:35">carbon emissions</a>, homes and their central heating must transform if the country is to achieve net zero by 2050. </p>
<p>While there isn’t a single solution that will suit every home, government advisers on <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Element-Energy-Trajectories-for-Residential-Heat-Decarbonisation-Executive-Summary.pdf">the Climate Change Committee</a> (CCC) estimate that 8 million heat pumps need to be installed in existing homes by 2035.</p>
<p>The CCC recently published a <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/publication/2023-progress-report-to-parliament/">damning assessment</a> of the UK’s progress towards its 2030 climate goals, saying annual emission reductions outside the power sector must nearly quadruple. Home heating is of particular concern, as heat pumps are being rolled out at one-ninth the rate they need to be by 2028, alongside falling rates of energy efficiency improvements.</p>
<p>Heat pumps extract heat either from the air, ground or nearby water and transfer it into a building, providing heating and hot water through pipes and radiators. Some heat pumps can even work in reverse to cool homes during the summer. </p>
<p>Heat pumps run on electricity and use energy <a href="https://es.catapult.org.uk/news/heat-pumps-shown-to-be-three-times-more-efficient-than-gas-boilers/">three times more efficiently</a> than gas boilers.</p>
<p>Better still, UK homeowners are becoming more comfortable with this technology. A survey of 2,500 households in May 2023 revealed that <a href="https://www.nesta.org.uk/report/heat-pumps-a-user-survey/">more than 80%</a> that had installed a heat pump were satisfied. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Two large white boxes with fans attached to the exterior wall of a building." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=465&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=465&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534551/original/file-20230628-23-ymya5l.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=465&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Air-source heat pumps like these are effective in most weather conditions.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-air-source-heat-pump-units-1914071401">Nimur/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<h2>UK trails European neighbours</h2>
<p>Only 59,862 heat pumps were installed in the UK in 2022. Although this is an increase of 40% on 2021, it’s far from the government’s target of 600,000 a year by 2028. To fully replace all of its gas boilers, the UK would need to be installing <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heat-and-buildings-strategy/heat-and-building-strategy-accessible-webpage">1.7 million heat pumps</a> annually by 2036. </p>
<p>Heat pumps are being rolled out faster elsewhere. In Norway, <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps/executive-summary">60%</a> of buildings have heat pumps; in Sweden, <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps/executive-summary">over 40%</a>. Meanwhile, less than <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1091144/Energy_Report_2020_revised.pdf">1%</a> of UK buildings had a heat pump in 2021. And compare the UK’s 2022 record with other countries in <a href="https://www.ehpa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Heat-Pump-Key-Facts-May-2023_compressed.pdf">Europe</a>: France installed 462,672 heat pumps (up 20%), Germany 236,000 (up 53%) and the Netherlands 123,208 (up 80%).</p>
<p>European governments support heat pump installations in various ways. The <a href="https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/media/4625/cxc-a-review-of-heat-decarbonisation-policies-in-europe-feb-2021.pdf">Netherlands</a> has gradually raised taxes on homes burning natural gas for heating and <a href="https://www.government.nl/topics/sustainable-energy-at-home/apply-for-a-subsidy-for-sustainable-energy-and-energy-saving-for-owner-occupied-homes-isde">offered subsidies</a> for heat pumps. <a href="https://www.climatexchange.org.uk/media/4625/cxc-a-review-of-heat-decarbonisation-policies-in-europe-feb-2021.pdf">France</a> has combined a 30% tax credit on improvements to heating and home insulation costing up to €16,000 with a 0% interest loan of up to €30,000 for energy efficiency upgrades.</p>
<p>These measures address two things which prevent people from getting a heat pump: the upfront cost of installation and the renovations required to prepare a home. Heat pumps are <a href="https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/news/heat-pump-price-war-as-heat-pump-goes-on-sale-for-same-price-as-gas-boiler">becoming cheaper</a> but they are still more expensive than gas boilers and many UK homes lack the double-glazed windows, insulated walls and lofts, and pipework and radiators that help them perform optimally.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A worker in protective clothing adjusts rolls of thick cladding in the eaves of a house." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534553/original/file-20230628-31-75rb52.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The CCC estimates that fewer homes were insulated in 2022 than the year before.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/construction-worker-thermally-insulating-house-attic-1907495419">Irin-K/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Since 2012, government policy has failed to drastically improve home energy efficiency or encourage low-carbon heating. </p>
<p>The carbon emissions reduction target introduced by Gordon Brown’s Labour government in 2008 required energy suppliers to cut emissions by helping customers make their homes more energy efficient. When it closed in 2012, it had <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2013/05/cert_finalreport2013_300413_0.pdf">beaten</a> its target of saving 293 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. 41% of these savings came from installing insulation, in turn making homes more suitable for a heat pump.</p>
<p>The green deal followed in 2013 and the renewable heat incentive in 2014 under David Cameron’s Conservative-led coalition government. </p>
<p>Green deal loans for energy-efficiency upgrades attracted just <a href="https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Green-Deal-and-Energy-Company-Obligation.pdf">14,000 applicants</a> as homeowners baulked at the relatively <a href="https://www.eceee.org/library/conference_proceedings/eceee_Summer_Studies/2013/5b-cutting-the-energy-use-of-buildings-policy-and-programmes/the-uks-green-deal-a-modelled-case-study-impact-review/">high cost of borrowing</a> and were unconvinced by the projected <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214629616301803">energy savings</a>. The scheme was scrapped in 2015.</p>
<p>The renewable heat incentive paid homeowners quarterly over seven years for installing a heat pump but asked them to fund the installation upfront. In 2018, the government <a href="https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Low-carbon-heating-of-homes-and-businesses-and-the-Renewable-Heat-Incentive.pdf">blamed</a> high upfront costs, poor awareness and complex installations for the poor uptake. The incentive ended in 2022. </p>
<h2>Ban the boiler?</h2>
<p>Launched in 2022 under Boris Johnson, the boiler upgrade scheme offers homeowners a £5,000 grant to replace their gas boiler with an air-source heat pump (£6,000 for a ground-source heat pump) and aims to lower the cost difference between the two. Installing a new combi-boiler costs <a href="https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/boilers/article/buying-a-new-boiler/boiler-prices-how-much-does-a-new-boiler-cost-aK2dh2j3Cabo#the-cost-of-a-new-boiler">between £600 and £2,150</a> whereas a heat pump is <a href="http://asf-hp-cost-demo-l-b-1046547218.eu-west-1.elb.amazonaws.com/">£5,000 to £8,000</a> after the government subsidy.</p>
<p>The government also plans to implement a <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1146981/clean_heat_market_mechanism.pdf">clean heat market mechanism</a> that will ask boiler manufacturers to sell four heat pumps for every 100 gas boilers in 2024/25, or pay for the equivalent in heat pump credits if they can’t (one heat pump credit is worth £5,000). </p>
<p>These measures may improve on earlier failures if the rules for industry are clear and the incentives are generous enough for consumers to consider investing in a heat pump, as examples with other low-carbon technologies have shown. </p>
<p>For instance, evidence suggests carmarkers are already <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/uk-car-sales-hit-30-year-low-2022-could-grow-15-this-year-smmt-2023-01-05/">selling more battery-electric vehicles</a> in anticipation of a law requiring them to sell a rising proportion of zero-emission vehicles each year from 2024. And the feed-in-tariff scheme requiring energy suppliers to buy electricity from homeowners at an agreed price for <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/feed-tariffs-fit">10 to 25 years</a> helped <a href="https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/feed-tariff-fit-annual-report-2020-21">nearly a million households</a> install solar panels.</p>
<p>Beyond targets for boiler manufacturers, the UK government will ban natural gas boilers in new buildings from 2025. While Germany’s governing coalition is implementing a ban on installing gas boilers in existing properties <a href="https://www.haufe.de/immobilien/wirtschaft-politik/kabinett-beschliesst-gesetz-fuer-mehr-oeko-beim-heizen_84342_285314.html">from 2028</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="The white cover of a gas boiler with the pilot light visible." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/534552/original/file-20230628-24-55u44i.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Gas boilers remain relatively cheap and convenient to install in the UK.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fire-burns-gas-burner-blue-flame-548058724">Andrzej Wilusz/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Before such a ban is tabled in the UK, there are policies that could raise the dismal heat pump installation rate. First, like the Dutch, the UK could gradually lower taxes on residential electricity and increase them on gas. </p>
<p>Second, the government <a href="https://www.theccc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Annex-Reform-of-domestic-EPC-rating-metrics-to-support-delivery-of-Net-Zero.pdf">could</a> ensure <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-we-measure-energy-efficiency-in-homes-isnt-working-162565">energy performance certificates</a> more accurately assess the energy efficiency of homes and their readiness for heat pumps. And third, the government should dismiss <a href="https://www.hvnplus.co.uk/news/boiler-group-slams-government-over-absurd-clean-heat-market-mechanism-04-04-2023/">opposition from boiler manufacturers</a> and implement the clean heat market mechanism.</p>
<p>Decarbonising heat and encouraging heat pumps is essential for achieving net zero. Tighter rules and targets for industry must sit alongside attractive incentives for consumers if the UK is to reach 600,000 installations a year in five years’ time.</p>
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<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ned Lamb is funded by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council's Low Temperature Heat Recovery and Distribution Network Technologies (LoT-NET) programme.</span></em></p>The UK trails European neighbours on replacing gas boilers with energy-efficient heat pumps.Ned Lamb, Research Associate on Low-Carbon Energy Systems, Warwick Business School, University of WarwickLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2086552023-07-03T00:35:53Z2023-07-03T00:35:53ZToo big, too heavy and too slow to change: road transport is way off track for net zero<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/534947/original/file-20230630-27-ovj9iw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=988%2C651%2C2462%2C1645&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The need to cut the emissions driving climate change is urgent, but it’s proving hard to decarbonise road transport in Australia. Its share of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions <a href="https://ageis.climatechange.gov.au/">doubled</a> from 8% in 1990 to 16% in 2020. New vehicles sold in Australia have <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-thought-australian-cars-were-using-less-fuel-new-research-shows-we-were-wrong-122378">barely improved</a> average emissions performance for the last decade or so. </p>
<p>The federal government <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/publications/australias-emissions-projections-2022">publishes</a> emission forecasts to 2035 – 15 years short of 2050, the net-zero target date. Our <a href="https://www.transport-e-research.com/_files/ugd/d0bd25_7a6920bdd9e8448385863a7c23ec9ecf.pdf">newly published study</a> forecasts road transport emissions through to 2050. The estimated reduction by 2050, 35–45% of pre-COVID levels in 2019, falls well short of what’s needed. </p>
<p>Our findings highlight three obstacles to achieving net zero. These are: Australia’s delay in switching to electric vehicles; growing sales of large, heavy vehicles such as SUVs and utes; and uncertainties about hydrogen as a fuel, especially for freight transport. These findings point to policy actions that could get road transport much closer to net zero.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1183518598376984577"}"></div></p>
<h2>How was this worked out?</h2>
<p>Emissions and energy use vary from vehicle to vehicle, so reliable forecasting requires a detailed breakdown of the on-road fleet. Our study <a href="https://www.transport-e-research.com/software">used</a> the Australian Fleet Model and the net zero vehicle emission model (n0vem).</p>
<p>The study focused on so-called <a href="https://www.cummins.com/news/2022/05/26/well-wheel-emissions-simplified">well-to-wheel emissions</a> from fuel production, distribution and use while driving. These activities account for about 75–85% of vehicle emissions. (<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-climate-friendly-is-an-electric-car-it-all-comes-down-to-where-you-live-179003">Life-cycle assessment</a> estimates “cradle-to-grave” emissions, including vehicle manufacture and disposal.)</p>
<p>Working with European Union colleagues, our emissions simulation drew on an updated <a href="https://www.transport-e-research.com/_files/ugd/d0bd25_7a6920bdd9e8448385863a7c23ec9ecf.pdf">EU scenario</a> (EU-27) showing the changes in the EU vehicle fleet needed to meet the latest (proposed) CO₂ targets. Our study assumed Australia will be ten years behind the EU across all vehicle classes. </p>
<p>We further modified the scenario to properly reflect Australian conditions. For instance, the EU has a much higher proportion of plug-in hybrid vehicles than Australia, where buyers are now bypassing them for wholly electric vehicles. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1649244456141619200"}"></div></p>
<h2>Energy use is shifting, but too slowly</h2>
<p>Using this modified scenario, the simulation produces a forecast fall in total wheel-to-wheel emissions from Australian transport from 104 billion tonnes (Mt) in 2018 to 55-65Mt in 2050. Within the range of this 35–45% reduction, the outcome depends largely on the balance of renewable and fossil-fuel energy used to produce hydrogen.</p>
<p>The modelling nonetheless predicts a large shift in energy use in road transport in 2050, as 2019 was basically 100% fossil fuels. </p>
<p>The on-road energy efficiency of battery electric vehicles is roughly twice that of fuel cell electric (hydrogen) vehicles and roughly three times that of fossil-fuelled vehicles of similar type. </p>
<p>The modelling results make this clear. In 2050, battery electric vehicles account for about 70% of total travel, but 25% of on-road energy use and only about 10% of total emissions. </p>
<p>In contrast, fossil-fuelled vehicles account for about 25% of total travel in 2050, 60% of energy use and 75-85% of emissions. That’s even allowing for expected efficiency improvements. </p>
<p>This means the shift to a mostly electric fleet by 2050 plus the use of hydrogen is predicted to fall short of what’s needed to get to net zero. It will require aggressive new policies to increase the uptake of electric vehicles across all classes.</p>
<h2>Lighter vehicles make a big difference</h2>
<p>But that is not the whole story. One neglected issue is the growing proportion of <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-may-be-underestimating-just-how-bad-carbon-belching-suvs-are-for-the-climate-and-for-our-health-190743">big, heavy passenger vehicles</a> (SUVs, utes). This trend is very noticeable in Australia. The laws of physics mean heavier vehicles need much more energy and fuel per kilometre of driving, and so produce more emissions. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1571650280135053314"}"></div></p>
<p>Currently, a large diesel SUV typically emits a kilogram of CO₂ for every 3 kilometres of driving, compared to 15km for a light electric vehicle and 200 kilometres for an e-bike. An average electric vehicle currently emits 1kg of CO₂ every 7km. </p>
<p>This distance is expected to be around 60km in 2050, when renewables power the electricity grid. A lightweight electric car will more than double the distance to 125km per kilogram of CO₂. Reducing vehicle weights and optimising energy efficiency in transport will be essential to meet emission targets.</p>
<p>The study modelled the impacts of <a href="https://www.automotiveworld.com/special-reports/vehicle-lightweighting-2/">lightweighting</a> passenger vehicles while keeping buses and commercial vehicles the same. If Australians had driven only small cars in 2019 for personal use, total road transport emissions would have been about 15% lower. </p>
<p>The reduction in emissions from simply shifting to smaller cars is <a href="https://www.dcceew.gov.au/climate-change/publications/national-greenhouse-accounts-2019/national-inventory-report-2019">similar to</a> emissions from domestic aviation and domestic shipping combined. Importantly, lightweighting cuts emissions for all kinds of vehicles.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1512865995248963588"}"></div></p>
<h2>The uncertainties about hydrogen</h2>
<p>Fuel cell electric vehicles using hydrogen account for only a few percent of all travel, but most will likely be large trucks. As a result, in our scenarios, they use a little over 10% of total on-road energy and produce 5-20% of total emissions, depending on the energy source used for hydrogen production and distribution. </p>
<p>The modified EU scenario includes a significant uptake of hydrogen vehicles by 2050. That’s by no means guaranteed. </p>
<p>The uptake in Australia has been negligible to date. That’s due to costs (vehicle and fuel), the need for new hydrogen fuel infrastructure, less mature technology (compared to battery electric vehicles) and limited vehicle availability. <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-must-rapidly-decarbonise-transport-but-hydrogens-not-the-answer-166830">Unresolved aspects</a> of hydrogen in transport include lower energy efficiency, the <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-australia-to-lead-the-way-on-green-hydrogen-first-we-must-find-enough-water-196144">need for clean water</a>, uncertainty about leakage, fuel-cell durability and value for consumers. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1461822210427994116"}"></div></p>
<h2>How do we get back on track?</h2>
<p>Our study suggests Australia is on track to miss the net-zero target for 2050 mainly because of the large proportions of fossil-fuelled vehicles and large and heavy passenger vehicles. </p>
<p>These two aspects could become targets for new policies such as public information campaigns, tax incentives for small, light vehicles, bans on selling fossil fuel vehicles and programs to scrap them. Other options to cut emissions include measures to reduce travel demand, optimise freight logistics and shift travel to public transport, to name a few. </p>
<p>The study confirms the scale of the challenge of decarbonising road transport. Australia will need “all hands on deck” – government, industry and consumers – to achieve net zero in 2050.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208655/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Robin Smit is the founder and director at Transport Energy/Emission Research Pty Ltd (TER) and an Adjunct Associate Professor at University of Technology Sydney.</span></em></p>A new study estimates a reduction in emissions of only 35-45% of pre-COVID levels by 2050. Lighter vehicles and faster uptake of electric vehicles can dramatically improve progress towards net zero.Robin Smit, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Technology SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2051072023-05-24T19:01:32Z2023-05-24T19:01:32ZCanada’s housing crisis demands better buildings — here are the changes that could improve apartment and condo life<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527128/original/file-20230518-21-9qziew.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=426%2C0%2C4172%2C2697&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">To address the growing urban population, along with the joint affordability and environmental crises, Canada needs to build more affordable, energy-efficient buildings</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>As Canada grapples with an <a href="https://theconversation.com/new-study-reveals-intensified-housing-inequality-in-canada-from-1981-to-2016-173633">ongoing housing crisis</a>, the need for more housing — particularly in cities — is becoming increasingly apparent. To effectively address this challenge, Canada needs to focus on constructing more multi-unit residential buildings, like apartments and condominiums.</p>
<p>This is especially important because Canada becomes increasingly urbanized with each passing year. In 2021, <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220209/dq220209b-eng.htm">73.7 per cent of Canadians lived in</a> one of the country’s large urban centres.</p>
<p>But Canada doesn’t just need more housing — it needs good quality housing. And the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2013.06.010">multi-unit housing sector</a> is plagued with performance issues that negatively impact residents. </p>
<p>To address the growing urban population, along with the joint <a href="https://www.ctvnews.ca/business/affordability-crisis-why-young-canadians-are-facing-a-huge-wealth-gap-1.6106343">affordability</a> and <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/the-nature-of-things/six-ways-climate-change-is-affecting-canada-1.6527535">climate crises</a>, Canada needs to ensure these new multi-unit residential buildings are more affordable and energy-efficient.</p>
<p>In order to ensure new housing prioritizes comfort and health, future residents and building owners should know what design choices to advocate for.</p>
<h2>Design vs. reality</h2>
<p>When appropriately designed and operated, multi-unit housing can be <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings4030336">more sustainable than detached homes</a>. They can also improve the viability of public transportation and <a href="https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%290733-9488%282006%29132%3A1%2810%29">reduce urban infrastructure costs and associated environmental impacts</a>.</p>
<p>Despite these advantages, multi-unit residential buildings have issues to contend with: they are <a href="https://assets.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/sf/project/cmhc/pdfs/content/en/achieving-high-performance-murbs-opportunities.pdf?rev=6cf09117-cee4-4129-af7a-a973dddac18d">less energy efficient</a> than detached homes and often suffer from a number of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106182">comfort-related challenges</a>. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An advertisement for a condominium is seen outside a low-rise building" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527126/original/file-20230518-21391-t4316e.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Real estate signage is seen in front of condos for sale on May 15, 2023, in Montréal, Que.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Many people who have lived in apartments or condos can empathize with issues like <a href="https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/3389">noisy neighbours</a>, <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/tc.2009.029728">smoke and odour transfer</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.08.024">poor heating or cooling</a>. </p>
<p>Fortunately, many of these issues can be addressed through simple design changes. By examining the research on these issues, we can better understand how design and operation failures contribute to these negative impacts and identify effective strategies to mitigate them.</p>
<h2>Improving ventilation</h2>
<p>Unpleasant odours are a common and bothersome issue faced by apartment and condo residents. </p>
<p>The main causes of odours making their way into suites are ventilation systems and air leakage between suites and other areas of the building or the outside.</p>
<p>Many existing multi-unit residential buildings are ventilated with central pressurized corridor systems. This system delivers outdoor air to a building’s corridors, creating positive pressure. The outdoor air then enters individual suites through intentional gaps underneath front doors.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, these systems don’t work reliably because they are <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2023.106320">highly sensitive to changes in outdoor temperature, wind and the opening and closing of doors and windows</a>. They also <a href="https://www.bchousing.org/research-centre/library/building-science-reports/energy-consumption-and-conservation-mid-and-high">use a lot of energy</a>. </p>
<p>Better performance can be achieved with central direct-ducted systems. In these systems, outdoor air is delivered directly to each suite through ducts. While these systems are still affected by seasonal changes and the opening and closing of windows, it’s to a lesser degree. </p>
<p>The best approach is for each suite to have its own decentralized ventilation system. These systems, known as suite-based <a href="https://www.bchousing.org/publications/Heat-Recovery-Ventilation-Guide-MURBs.pdf">heat or energy recovery ventilators</a> (commonly called HRVs or ERVs), supply outdoor air directly to suites while extracting stale air. If you have this type of system, make sure you don’t have a gap under your suite door! </p>
<h2>Stopping air leakage</h2>
<p>Air leakage can transfer smells <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108292">between suites through walls and floors or indirectly via air coming in from corridors</a>. To address this, we want to compartmentalize suites by making the walls, ceiling and floor airtight. </p>
<p>There are tests to help developers assess the level of compartmentalization in a suite, but these tests <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110273">only measure total air leakage for the entire suite</a> and don’t account for one component being leakier than another. </p>
<p>In the buildings we’ve studied, the <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.110273">leakiest walls</a> are those separating the corridor from the suite. This is where developers should focus additional air-sealing efforts, along with sealing stairwell doors and adding elevator vestibules.</p>
<h2>Sound-proofing suites</h2>
<p>In multi-unit housing, residents are often exposed to various sources of noise from neighbours, the outside or building systems like elevators or plumbing.</p>
<p>Dealing with noise is complex; sometimes we <a href="https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/3389">use one type of noise to drown out another</a>, which can exacerbate existing acoustic problems.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A woman banging on the ceiling of an apartment with a broom handle. A man, who is sitting on a couch in the same room, covers his ears and watches her." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=401&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/527127/original/file-20230518-21-cazwgd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">In multi-unit housing, residents are often exposed to irritating sounds from their neighbours, like talking or stomping.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">(Shutterstock)</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Different types of sound require distinct approaches for noise reduction. Airborne noise, like talking, is partly addressed automatically if suites are appropriately compartmentalized. Impact noise, like stomping, can be reduced by applying an <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2023.109291">acoustic underlay below the finished floor</a>. </p>
<p>Outdoor noise can be addressed with more airtight exterior walls and smaller windows, both of which also have temperature and energy benefits. </p>
<p>Noise from building systems is best addressed through positioning (e.g., not having heat or energy recovery ventilators in the living room) and sound insulation. </p>
<h2>Improving temperatures in the suite</h2>
<p>Thermal discomfort in multi-unit residential buildings can be <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106748">prevalent in both heating and cooling seasons</a>. Uncomfortable temperatures in suites are driven, in part, by unnecessarily large and/or poor-quality windows, which makes sitting near them <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/00038628.2016.1205179">uncomfortable in the winter</a> and leads to solar overheating in the summer. </p>
<p>Looking for smaller windows with low heat transfer values — <a href="https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/products/product-information/windows-doors-and-skylights/rating-criteria-and-standards/13978">also known as a window’s U-value</a> — can improve winter comfort. <a href="https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/a60eef51-42d5-4e63-8852-b2b795185efd/downloads/CAE%20Montreal%202020%20Symposium-Passive%20Strategies.pdf">Overhangs, exterior shading, or, at the very least interior shading</a> can reduce overheating. </p>
<p>Central heating and cooling systems, which require seasonal changeover, perform poorly in the spring and fall. Four-pipe fan coils or, better yet, in-suite heat pumps, are a good alternative because they can deliver heating or cooling regardless of the season.</p>
<h2>The good news</h2>
<p>While most of the solutions presented here have multiple benefits for residents, they can also save energy and reduce the environmental impacts of operating newly built housing.</p>
<p>For example, smaller, high-performance windows with solar shading, interior and exterior air tightness, and heat/energy recovery ventilators can reduce heating and cooling loads. </p>
<p>Heat pumps can <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-heat-pumps/executive-summary">enable buildings to use cleaner electricity for heating</a>, as opposed to the more commonly used carbon-intensive natural gas.</p>
<p>It is essential that residents and building owners take active roles in advocating for residential design changes. They can do so by asking building developers to make changes and lobbying elected officials to include performance improvements in provincial building codes.</p>
<p>Canadians don’t just deserve more housing — they deserve more <em>quality</em> housing.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/205107/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Marianne Touchie has received funding from the National Research Council, NSERC, ASHRAE and SSHRC. </span></em></p>In order to ensure new multi-unit housing prioritizes comfort and health, future residents and building owners should know what design choices to advocate for.Marianne Touchie, Associate Professor, Jointly appointed in the Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering and Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of TorontoLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2040962023-05-23T12:27:19Z2023-05-23T12:27:19ZIs generative AI bad for the environment? A computer scientist explains the carbon footprint of ChatGPT and its cousins<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524227/original/file-20230503-18-2bu207.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C7%2C5294%2C3344&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">AI chatbots and image generators run on thousands of computers housed in data centers like this Google facility in Oregon.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Google_Datacenter_-_The_Dalles,_Oregon_%2817832143871%29.jpg">Tony Webster/Wikimedia</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Generative AI is the hot new technology behind chatbots and image generators. But how hot is it making the planet?</p>
<p>As an <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9xDADY4AAAAJ&hl=en">AI researcher</a>, I often worry about the energy costs of building artificial intelligence models. The more powerful the AI, the more energy it takes. What does the emergence of increasingly more powerful generative AI models mean for society’s future carbon footprint?</p>
<p>“Generative” refers to the ability of an AI algorithm to produce complex data. The alternative is <a href="https://www.unite.ai/generative-vs-discriminative-machine-learning-models/">“discriminative” AI</a>, which chooses between a fixed number of options and produces just a single number. An example of a discriminative output is choosing whether to approve a loan application.</p>
<p>Generative AI can create much more complex outputs, such as a sentence, a paragraph, an image or even a short video. It has long been used in applications like smart speakers to generate audio responses, or in autocomplete to suggest a search query. However, it only recently gained the ability to <a href="https://theconversation.com/generative-ai-5-essential-reads-about-the-new-era-of-creativity-job-anxiety-misinformation-bias-and-plagiarism-203746">generate humanlike language and realistic photos</a>.</p>
<h2>Using more power than ever</h2>
<p>The exact energy cost of a single AI model is difficult to estimate, and includes the energy used to manufacture the computing equipment, create the model and use the model in production. In 2019, researchers found that creating a generative AI model called BERT with 110 million parameters <a href="https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1906.02243">consumed the energy of a round-trip transcontinental flight</a> for one person. The number of parameters refers to the size of the model, with larger models generally being more skilled. Researchers estimated that creating the much larger GPT-3, which has 175 billion parameters, <a href="https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2104.10350">consumed 1,287 megawatt hours of electricity and generated 552 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent</a>, the equivalent of 123 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for one year. And that’s just for getting the model ready to launch, before any consumers start using it.</p>
<p>Size is not the only predictor of carbon emissions. The open-access <a href="https://bigscience.huggingface.co/blog/bloom">BLOOM model</a>, developed by the <a href="https://bigscience.notion.site/Introduction-5facbf41a16848d198bda853485e23a0">BigScience project</a> in France, is similar in size to GPT-3 but has <a href="https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2211.02001">a much lower carbon footprint</a>, consuming 433 MWh of electricity in generating 30 tons of CO2eq. A study by Google found that for the same size, using a more efficient model architecture and processor and a greener data center can reduce the carbon footprint <a href="https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2104.10350">by 100 to 1,000 times</a>.</p>
<p>Larger models do use more energy during their deployment. There is limited data on the carbon footprint of a single generative AI query, but some industry figures estimate it to be <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/the-generative-ai-search-race-has-a-dirty-secret/">four to five times higher</a> than that of a search engine query. As chatbots and image generators become more popular, and as Google and Microsoft <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/technology/google-search-engine-ai.html">incorporate AI language models</a> into their search engines, the number of queries they receive each day could grow exponentially.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="a roomful of people work on computers" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=385&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=385&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=385&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=483&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=483&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/524517/original/file-20230504-13354-hc7ki2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=483&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">AI chatbots, search engines and image generators are rapidly going mainstream, adding to AI’s carbon footprint.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CabellLibrary/067ff570e6e84672bafd86ae4e975de0/photo">AP Photo/Steve Helber</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>AI bots for search</h2>
<p>A few years ago, not many people outside of research labs were using models like BERT or GPT. That changed on Nov. 30, 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT. According to the latest available data, ChatGPT had over <a href="https://www.similarweb.com/blog/insights/ai-news/chatgpt-bing-duckduckgo/">1.5 billion visits in March 2023</a>. Microsoft incorporated ChatGPT into its search engine, Bing, and made it <a href="https://gizmodo.com/bing-ai-chatgpt-microsoft-search-open-public-waitlist-1850401638">available to everyone</a> on May 4, 2023. If chatbots become as popular as search engines, the energy costs of deploying the AIs could really add up. But AI assistants have many more uses than just search, such as writing documents, solving math problems and creating marketing campaigns.</p>
<p>Another problem is that AI models need to be continually updated. For example, ChatGPT was only trained on data from up to 2021, so it does not know about anything that happened since then. The carbon footprint of creating ChatGPT isn’t public information, but it is likely much higher than that of GPT-3. If it had to be recreated on a regular basis to update its knowledge, the energy costs would grow even larger.</p>
<p>One upside is that asking a chatbot can be a more direct way to get information than using a search engine. Instead of getting a page full of links, you get a direct answer as you would from a human, assuming issues of accuracy are mitigated. Getting to the information quicker could potentially offset the increased energy use compared to a search engine.</p>
<h2>Ways forward</h2>
<p>The future is hard to predict, but large generative AI models are here to stay, and people will probably increasingly turn to them for information. For example, if a student needs help solving a math problem now, they ask a tutor or a friend, or consult a textbook. In the future, they will probably ask a chatbot. The same goes for other expert knowledge such as legal advice or medical expertise.</p>
<p>While a single large AI model is not going to ruin the environment, if a thousand companies develop slightly different AI bots for different purposes, each used by millions of customers, the energy use could become an issue. More research is needed to make generative AI more efficient. The good news is that AI can run on renewable energy. By bringing the computation to where green energy is more abundant, or scheduling computation for times of day when renewable energy is more available, emissions can be <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/here-comes-sun-why-large-language-models-dont-have-cost-paul-walsh/">reduced by a factor of 30 to 40</a>, compared to using a grid dominated by fossil fuels.</p>
<p>Finally, societal pressure may be helpful to encourage companies and research labs to publish the carbon footprints of their AI models, as some already do. In the future, perhaps consumers could even use this information to choose a “greener” chatbot.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204096/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kate Saenko is on leave from Boston University to work at Meta, Inc. She receives funding from Meta, Google, DARPA and NSF. </span></em></p>Generative AI, those astonishingly powerful language- and image-generating tools taking the world by storm, come at a price: a big carbon footprint. But not all AIs are equally dirty.Kate Saenko, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Boston UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2046722023-05-01T06:42:41Z2023-05-01T06:42:41Z1 in 4 households struggle to pay power bills. Here are 5 ways to tackle hidden energy poverty<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/523558/original/file-20230501-14-l8bw6m.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=592%2C0%2C5398%2C3583&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/news/how-increases-in-energy-prices-are-impacting-consumers#:%7E:text=Energy%2520affordability%2520is%2520not%2520just,in%2520the%2520past%252012%2520months.">One in four Australian households</a> are finding it hard to pay their gas and electricity bills. As winter looms, <a href="https://www.aer.gov.au/news-release/default-market-offer-2023%25E2%2580%259324-draft-determination">energy price rises</a> will make it even harder. Cold homes and disconnections resulting from energy poverty threaten people’s health and wellbeing. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/ACOSS-cost-of-living-report2-March-2023_web_FINAL.pdf">Income support for welfare recipients</a> and retrofitting homes to make them more thermally efficient – by adding insulation, for example – can ease the burden. And when homes are not too cold or hot, <a href="https://theconversation.com/fuel-poverty-makes-you-sick-so-why-has-nothing-changed-since-i-was-a-child-living-in-a-cold-home-201787">people’s health benefits</a>. This in turn <a href="https://apo.org.au/node/319556">eases pressure on the public health system</a>. </p>
<p>However, many people are missing out on assistance as programs often do not recognise their difficulties. Their energy vulnerability is hidden.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/if-youre-renting-chances-are-your-home-is-cold-with-power-prices-soaring-heres-what-you-can-do-to-keep-warm-184472">If you're renting, chances are your home is cold. With power prices soaring, here's what you can do to keep warm</a>
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<h2>What forms does hidden energy poverty take?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629623000737">Our newly published study</a> has revealed six aspects of hidden energy vulnerability. These are:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>underconsumption – households limit or turn off cooling, heating and/or lights to avoid disconnections</p></li>
<li><p>incidental masking – other welfare support, such as rent relief, masks difficulties in paying energy bills</p></li>
<li><p>some households disguise energy poverty by using public facilities such as showers or pooling money for bills between families </p></li>
<li><p>some people conceal their hardship due to pride or fear of legal consequences, such as losing custody of children if food cannot be refrigerated because the power has been cut off</p></li>
<li><p>poor understanding of energy efficiency and the health risks of cold or hot homes adds to the problem</p></li>
<li><p>eligibility criteria for energy assistance programs may exclude some vulnerable households. For example, people with income just above the welfare threshold are missing out on energy concessions. Energy retailer hardship programs also ignore people who have voluntarily disconnected due to financial hardship. </p></li>
</ol>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/die-of-cold-or-die-of-stress-social-housing-is-frequently-colder-than-global-health-guidelines-164598">'Die of cold or die of stress?': Social housing is frequently colder than global health guidelines</a>
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<h2>5 ways to help these households</h2>
<p>Our studies suggest trusted intermediaries such as people working in health, energy and social services can play a vital role in identifying and supporting such households.</p>
<p>First, energy efficiency and hardship initiatives may be <a href="https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/property-construction-and-project-management/research/research-centres-and-groups/sustainable-building-innovation-laboratory/projects/care-at-home-system-improvements">integrated into the My Aged Care in-home care system</a>. Energy poverty risk identification, response and referral could be built into the national service’s assessment form. This could leverage existing client screening processes.</p>
<p>The system’s front-line staff could connect at-risk householders with energy counsellors. These counsellors could help people access better energy contracts, concessions, home retrofits and appliance upgrade programs. </p>
<p>A new Commonwealth “energy supplement” could help pay for essential energy-related home modifications. This would help avoid My Aged Care funds being diverted from immediate healthcare needs. </p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-need-a-lemon-law-to-make-all-the-homes-we-buy-and-rent-more-energy-efficient-204369">We need a 'lemon law' to make all the homes we buy and rent more energy-efficient</a>
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<p>Second, general practitioners and other health professionals could help identify energy vulnerability among patients with medical conditions of concern. They could also provide letters of support emphasising renters’ health-based need for air conditioners or heaters.</p>
<p>Third, energy providers could use household energy data to identify those that seem to be under-consuming or are often disconnected. They could also identify those that are not on “best offer” deals. They could be proactive in checking struggling householders’ eligibility for ongoing energy concessions and one-off debt relief grants offered by states and territories.</p>
<p>Energy providers could also make it easier for social housing providers to ensure concessions for tenants renew automatically.</p>
<p>Fourth, local councils could use their data to identify at-risk householders. They might include those with a disability parking permit, discounted council rates or in arrears, on the social housing waiting list, Meals on Wheels clients and social housing tenants. Maternal and child health nurses and home and community care workers making home visits could call attention to cold or hot homes. </p>
<p>Councils could employ in-house energy counsellors to provide assistance and energy literacy training. Council home maintenance teams could develop bulk-buying, insulation and neighbourhood retrofit programs. </p>
<p>Strategies to reduce vulnerability to energy poverty should be part of municipal public health and wellbeing plans. Under these strategies, net-zero-carbon funds set up by states and local councils to reduce emissions could finance targeted housing retrofits.</p>
<p>We also suggest setting up a central helpline to improve access to energy assistance via local referrals. </p>
<p>Fifth, residential energy-efficiency programs could become more person-centric. For example, we already have <a href="https://www.homescorecard.gov.au/">Residential Efficiency Scorecard</a> audits to assess the thermal quality of a home. These audits could also explore whether concessions and better energy deals are available to the household.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/we-all-need-energy-to-survive-here-are-3-ways-to-ensure-australias-crazy-power-prices-leave-no-one-behind-193459">We all need energy to survive. Here are 3 ways to ensure Australia's crazy power prices leave no-one behind</a>
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<h2>Building capacity at all levels</h2>
<p><a href="https://cur.org.au/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/tackling-hidden-energy-final.pdf">Capacity-building strategies</a> are needed at all levels – individual, community and government – to overcome the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629623000737">challenges</a> of reducing energy poverty. Current obstacles include the competing priorities of service providers, lack of time and resources, and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214629622003553">poor co-ordination between siloed</a> programs and services.</p>
<p>Access to essential energy services should be part of state and local governments’ strategic health plans. Housing, energy and health departments could work together to include housing retrofits in preventive health programs. </p>
<p>A comprehensive approach is needed to overcome hidden energy poverty. It must include public education, integrated services and well-funded energy-efficiency programs. Regulatory reforms and ongoing funding are both needed to improve the availability of energy-efficient, affordable homes for tenants.</p>
<p>Our suggested strategies start with improving the skills and knowledge of trusted intermediaries. Doctors, social workers, housing officers, community nurses and volunteers can play a central role. Using these front-line professionals to help identify and act on energy poverty offers a novel, cost-effective and targeted solution.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204672/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nicola Willand receives or has received funding for research from various organisations, including the Australian Research Council, the Victorian State Government, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, the Future Fuels Collaborative Research Centre and the Australian National Health and Medical Research Centre. She is affiliated with the Australian Institute of Architects. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nooshin Torabi receives or has received funding for research from various organisations, including the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation,</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ralph Horne receives or has received funding for research from various organisations, including the Australian Research Council, the Victorian State Government, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute.</span></em></p>Energy poverty puts people’s health and wellbeing at risk, but many vulnerable households go undetected. Trusted intermediaries, such as doctors and community workers, can help solve this problem.Nicola Willand, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityNooshin Torabi, Lecturer, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT UniversityRalph Horne, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2043692023-04-26T20:03:37Z2023-04-26T20:03:37ZWe need a ‘lemon law’ to make all the homes we buy and rent more energy-efficient<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522912/original/file-20230426-195-isrm2t.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C4883%2C3260&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>A long-awaited increase in energy-efficiency requirements for new homes is part of revised Australian construction standards <a href="https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/suppliers/knauf-insulation/building-energy-efficient-homes-to-meet-ncc-2022">taking effect on May 1</a>. All new homes must achieve a <a href="https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/editions-national-construction-code">minimum 7-star whole-of-home energy rating</a> from October, following a six-month transition period. </p>
<p>It’s a crucial step in responding to the climate crisis and decarbonising Australian society. It will also make our homes more <a href="https://theconversation.com/low-energy-homes-dont-just-save-money-they-improve-lives-81084">affordable and comfortable to live in</a>, and improve our <a href="https://theconversation.com/cold-homes-increase-the-risk-of-severe-mental-health-problems-new-study-193125">health and wellbeing</a>. </p>
<p>These regulations affect the roughly 150,000 new homes built each year across Australia. But what about the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/industry/building-and-construction/estimated-dwelling-stock/jun-quarter-2022">other 10.8 million homes</a> we’re already living in?</p>
<p>Any transition towards a low-carbon future must include big improvements to existing housing. Housing accounts for around <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/buildings/residential-buildings">24% of overall electricity use</a> and 12% of carbon emissions in Australia. </p>
<p>As a nation we spend at least as much on renovations and retrofits as on building new housing. <a href="https://theconversation.com/7-star-housing-is-a-step-towards-zero-carbon-but-theres-much-more-to-do-starting-with-existing-homes-189542">Upgrading the energy performance</a> of existing homes should get at least as much attention as new homes to help make the transition to low-carbon living.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/7-star-housing-is-a-step-towards-zero-carbon-but-theres-much-more-to-do-starting-with-existing-homes-189542">7-star housing is a step towards zero carbon – but there's much more to do, starting with existing homes</a>
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<h2>How do you know if a home’s a lemon?</h2>
<p>Australians can access lots of information about the performance of <a href="https://www.energyrating.gov.au/">appliances</a> and <a href="https://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au/">vehicles</a>, but almost nothing about the quality and performance of our housing. </p>
<p>When buying an appliance or a car we can see how much energy it will use and how much it will cost to run. We can then compare options and improve our decision-making. </p>
<p>We also have rights if our purchase doesn’t perform as described. Australia doesn’t have a specific “<a href="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/lemon-law/">lemon law</a>” like the United States. Nonetheless, a raft of laws protect buyers of both new and used vehicles. </p>
<p>Yet when it comes to our biggest and most important buying decision – buying or renting a home – we have a right to precisely nothing in terms of <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111370">information on its energy efficiency</a> and readiness for a sustainable future. What little information is provided is <a href="https://theconversation.com/spruiking-the-stars-some-home-builders-are-misleading-consumers-about-energy-ratings-136402">often misleading</a>.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/ive-never-actually-met-them-what-will-motivate-landlords-to-fix-cold-and-costly-homes-for-renters-188827">'I've never actually met them': what will motivate landlords to fix cold and costly homes for renters?</a>
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<h2>Energy performance must be disclosed in other countries</h2>
<p>Housing energy rating schemes are used <a href="https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en">worldwide</a>. These schemes rate and compare the energy use of housing to help people decide what they will rent and buy. </p>
<p>Energy ratings are important. They tell us how much we are likely to spend on essential activities such as heating and cooling our homes. Amid a cost-of-living crisis, including <a href="https://theconversation.com/energy-bills-why-yours-is-now-so-expensive-and-where-all-the-money-goes-176443">soaring energy prices</a>, this matters to all Australians, particularly those doing it tough. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Screenshot of a section of a UK Energy Performance Certificate" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=207&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=207&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=207&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=260&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=260&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/522900/original/file-20230426-152-s8qq58.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=260&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The UK’s Energy Performance Certificate tells prospective buyers and renters about a home’s energy rating, its energy costs and potential to be improved.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/5996/2116821.pdf">Source: Energy Performance Certificate, GOV.UK</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Australia had a world-leading housing energy rating scheme <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/frsc.2022.801460">when it was adopted in the ACT</a> in 2003. Since then progress has stalled on a national scheme similar to those established globally in recent decades. </p>
<p>Energy ratings also reveal the underlying condition of our housing. Housing in Australia built before the early 2000s typically has only a <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/research-data-and-insights/research/research-reports/household-retrofit-trials">1-3 star energy rating</a>. That level of performance more than doubles its energy bills and emissions compared to a new home. </p>
<p>People looking to buy or rent could avoid the housing equivalent of a lemon if we had a national scheme that requires a standard, independently verified energy performance assessment be made available to them. This would create an incentive for sellers and landlords to improve the energy performance of housing. It would also give policymakers a national picture of where retrofit schemes could best be targeted to meet our emission-reduction commitments.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/homes-with-higher-energy-ratings-sell-for-more-heres-how-australian-owners-could-cash-in-128548">Homes with higher energy ratings sell for more. Here's how Australian owners could cash in</a>
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<h2>What are the prospects for such a scheme?</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/buildings/residential-buildings">Discussions</a> are taking place in Australia about introducing a requirement for households to obtain some sort of energy or sustainability rating on their dwelling, potentially at point of sale or lease. A similar requirement is in place in other locations like <a href="https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-efficient-buildings/energy-performance-buildings-directive_en">Europe</a>, the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates">United Kingdom</a> and even the ACT. </p>
<p>We have the resources and knowledge to establish a robust system that is: accurate and holistic, robust and consistent, applied and clear, transparent and adaptive. </p>
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<p>The benefits of such a scheme include:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>encouraging energy-efficient retrofits of existing homes for the health and comfort of Australians</p></li>
<li><p>supporting social equity between people living in older homes and those in newer homes, and particularly for renters and low-income households</p></li>
<li><p>giving Australians a better understanding of the houses they rent or buy, in the same way they choose their appliances</p></li>
<li><p>reducing emissions from housing to help achieve the target of net-zero emissions</p></li>
<li><p>providing information to inform and develop policies for existing homes that then align with policies for new homes.</p></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/will-7-star-housing-really-cost-more-it-depends-but-you-can-keep-costs-down-in-a-few-simple-ways-189627">Will 7-star housing really cost more? It depends, but you can keep costs down in a few simple ways</a>
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<p>The key is not to do a cheap job on this. That would waste the effort, time and money we put into retrofitting homes, and risk us missing our climate commitments. It would also mean our most vulnerable households would find it even more difficult to access decent, energy-efficient housing. </p>
<p>Doing a proper job means we will all have access to independent verified information. It will help fix market failures and provide peace of mind about the places we live, with the potential to upgrade them reliably and cost-effectively.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/204369/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian Government and various industry partners. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lisa de Kleyn is a Research Fellow on projects that receive funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Victorian Government, and various industry partners.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Ralph Horne has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian Government and various industry partners. </span></em></p>Improving the performance of nearly 11 million existing homes will make a much bigger difference to housing energy costs and emissions than an incoming 7-star energy standard for new homes.Trivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityLisa de Kleyn, Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, RMIT UniversityRalph Horne, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research & Innovation, College of Design & Social Context, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2023742023-04-21T14:53:29Z2023-04-21T14:53:29ZCooking pollutes your home and increases your health risks – but better ventilation will help<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520518/original/file-20230412-26-e1qwvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=12%2C51%2C8531%2C5636&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Cooking can generate harmful indoor air pollutants.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/shocked-young-woman-looking-cooking-pot-792865270">Andrey Popov/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Most of us will spend more than <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/7500165">two-thirds of our lives</a> at home. But even indoors, <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/household-air-pollution-and-health">many people</a> will still be exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution – much of it resulting from cooking. </p>
<p>Food that is burned, seared or braised during cooking can produce tiny particles called particulate matter (PM2.5). Even food residue that collects in the oven or on the hob generates fine particles when burned. <a href="https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.0c00740">Research</a> finds that you could be exposed to around three times more particulate matter while preparing a roast dinner than if you were to walk through India’s polluted capital, New Delhi. </p>
<p>When inhaled, these particles can <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9491465/">affect the heart and lungs</a>, worsening asthma symptoms and contributing to reduced lung function and airways irritation, and increasing the risk of a heart attack. In 2019, roughly <a href="https://www.stateofglobalair.org">2.3 million deaths</a> worldwide were caused by long-term exposure to household air pollution.</p>
<p>Many countries are retrofitting their housing stock as a way of <a href="https://www.seai.ie/data-and-insights/seai-statistics/key-statistics/residential/">reducing carbon emissions</a>. The Irish government, for example, has pledged to <a href="https://www.seai.ie/home-energy/building-energy-rating-ber/understand-a-ber-rating/">retrofit half a million homes</a> by the end of the decade. Retrofitting homes offers millions of people the opportunity to both <a href="https://velcdn.azureedge.net/-/media/com/healthy-homes-barometer/hhb-2022/velux-hhb-report-2022.pdf">improve indoor air quality and reduce energy use</a>. </p>
<p>However, as retrofitting makes homes more airtight, ventilation needs to be properly managed and cannot depend solely on air leaking into the building to dilute concentrations of air pollutants. Without appropriate ventilation, the pollutants produced when cooking could be <a href="https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/5/4/e007298">prevented from escaping</a> into the atmosphere.</p>
<p>Homes in western Europe have long relied on natural ventilation, so the move towards airtight homes requires some life adjustments from their occupants.</p>
<h2>Ventilating our homes</h2>
<p>As part of retrofitting, homes will often have mechanical ventilation systems installed. This could be as simple as a cooker hood in the kitchen or an exhaust fan in the bathroom. But some homes will instead be equipped with a full service heating, ventilation and air conditioning system that takes in and cleans outside air, before cooling or heating it. </p>
<p>A cooker hood is a canopy that covers the cooking area with a built-in fan, sucking air through a series of filters before venting it outside. Using your cooker hood is one of the most effective ways to reduce your exposure to particulate matter while cooking. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132321008441">Research</a> finds that you could be exposed to around 90% less PM2.5 when cooking with a hood than without air extraction.</p>
<p>However, user behaviour can limit their effectiveness and the ability of the ventilation system to work correctly. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="The interior of a kitchen with the cooker hood in the centre." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520522/original/file-20230412-28-6fv3pd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">A cooker hood reduces your exposure to PM2.5 while cooking.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/modern-clean-interior-kitchen-cooking-utensils-1160689231">Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Risks remain</h2>
<p>Last year, we <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132322004723">surveyed</a> 14 Irish homes that had been retrofitted at least 12 months earlier. We found that cooker hoods that meet the appropriate regulations are still often not used as intended. </p>
<p>We also found that half the homeowners surveyed did not understand how to use their ventilation system correctly. They said the main reason for this was a poor handover process, with information on how to operate these systems deemed to be insufficient. </p>
<p>Our study revealed that 70% of the homeowners surveyed were unaware of how to maintain their home’s ventilation system to ensure it continued to work effectively. A lack of maintenance can cause the ventilation system to become noisy and may reduce people’s willingness to use it. </p>
<p>Most homeowners were unaware of the sources and health risks of indoor particulate matter exposure and how this was related to cooking. It is a longstanding concern that occupants <a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide-to-Indoor-Air-Quality">need to be better informed</a> about the risks of indoor air pollution. </p>
<h2>How to reduce your exposure when cooking</h2>
<p>There are, however, several simple tips that people should follow to reduce their exposure to poor air quality when cooking. </p>
<p>Food residue that is stuck on the hob will start to burn <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132321008441">as soon as the hob is turned on</a>. Your exposure to airborne particles will therefore increase as soon as you begin cooking. </p>
<p>So, if you have a cooker hood, turn it on before you start cooking and leave it running for 10–15 minutes after you stop. This way, the concentration of particulate matter is unlikely to rise to unsafe levels and will dissipate quickly once you have finished cooking. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A picture of a dirty hob." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=413&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=413&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=413&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=519&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=519&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/520524/original/file-20230412-26-1i8t9k.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=519&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Food residue that is stuck on the hob will start to burn as soon as the hob is turned on.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-very-dirty-ceramic-kitchen-stove-1053320747">cunaplus/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The cooker hood removes particles generated from the back rings of a hob more easily than from the front rings, where more pollutants can escape into the room. Using the back burners or cooker rings is therefore an effective way of reducing your exposure to harmful indoor air pollutants. </p>
<p>You can even pair your cooker hood with PM2.5 sensors to <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778823001627">reduce your exposure further</a>. These sensors provide alerts on pollutant levels and allow smart control of the hood, so it is switched on at specific times, for example, or when PM2.5 levels reach a certain threshold. </p>
<p>It is equally important to have your cooker hood inspected and maintained annually by the installers. Like servicing your car or boiler, getting your ventilation system maintained each year will ensure it continues to work effectively.</p>
<p>Cooking at home can increase our exposure to harmful air pollutants. In energy efficient homes, people need to be informed about how best to use their mechanical ventilation system to avoid such exposure. Adjusting to these systems will take some time, but through some simple tips and <a href="https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/234808/63f05795-f067-41c0-a559-b8ab030f0297.pdf#page=null">information</a>, we can reduce our exposure.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/202374/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Asit Kumar Mishra is funded by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. He is a member of International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Marie Coggins received funding from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) - 2018 National Energy Research, Development & Demonstration Funding Programme. Radon monitoring in the same research project, was funded by the Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The project team would like to thank the homes who participated in this study. Coggins is an Irish representative and board member on the International Energy Agencies, Technology collaboration Programme - Annex 5, Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC).</span></em></p>We’re all exposed to harmful air pollution when cooking – but retrofitting our homes to save energy may complicate matters.Asit Kumar Mishra, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of GalwayMarie Coggins, Senior lecturer in Exposure Science, University of GalwayLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2021922023-04-12T16:36:27Z2023-04-12T16:36:27ZSeven ways to recycle heat and reduce carbon emissions<p>Heating of space and water in buildings accounts for about 44% of all energy consumed globally according to the <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2022/renewable-heat">International Energy Agency</a>. This heat is still overwhelmingly generated by burning fossil fuels, making it an enormous source of the carbon emissions driving climate change. But you might be surprised to learn just how much heat is wasted each day. Finding ways to recover and recycle it could drastically reduce emissions.</p>
<p>Consider a standard petrol or diesel car. The engine provides the momentum and produces excess heat that a radiator removes. This heat is largely wasted, except in winter when it warms the windscreen and passengers. Generators that supply electricity to the grid work in a similar way – their excess heat could be diverted to heat buildings instead. In the UK, there are many <a href="https://www.mwm.net/en/news/news-releases/flexible-energy-supply-in-uk-more-than-300-mwm-gas-engines-in-distributed-power-plants-secure-stability-of-the-national-power-grid/">gas engines</a> on standby to supply the power grid when needed. I was part of the team that <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1876610217307890?via%3Dihub">linked the heat</a> from a gas power generator to a building central heating system.</p>
<p>The idea of combined heat and power is nothing new. In Nottingham, the energy for the city’s district heating network and some electricity comes from a <a href="https://enviroenergy.co.uk/about-us/district-energy/">waste incinerator</a>. This also reduces the amount of rubbish sent to landfill. But once you realise just how much heat is out there, waiting to be reused, the problem of decarbonising heating doesn’t seem so mighty. Here are seven examples.</p>
<h2>1. Data centres</h2>
<p>Computers processing data <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/1645349">get hot</a> – just feel the bottom of a laptop. Data centres are rooms filled with computers that may house the IT servers for an entire office building. The heat they generate is extracted and dumped, usually by energy-hungry air conditioners. </p>
<p>Elsewhere, data centres have been used as “<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-64939558">digital boilers</a>” to heat swimming pools. In many cases, cold water runs through pipes between the two buildings where it helps to cool the data centre servers. The heated water is then pumped back to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-62076634">warm the pool</a>.</p>
<h2>2. Ice rinks</h2>
<p>Believe it or not, any artificially cooled ice rink produces lots of heat. This is because of the refrigeration cycle that keeps the water you skate on frozen. Think about this process as you would your freezer at home. When you put something at room temperature in the freezer, like a water tray for making ice cubes, the heat is extracted to freeze the water and pumped outside of the fridge. You can feel the side or the back of the freezer getting warmer as this happens.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="People skating in an ice rink." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/519588/original/file-20230405-462-m3e030.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Keeping all the ice frozen generates a lot of heat.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/child-ice-skating-night-vienna-austria-489166294">Ground Picture/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Similar to data centres, this heat can be captured by circulating water and distributing it via pipes to other parts of the building or <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037877882033406X">buildings nearby</a>.</p>
<h2>3. Kitchens and bathrooms</h2>
<p>In most homes, extraction fans and windows remove steam from kitchens and bathrooms. Certain types of <a href="https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support/mechanical-ventilation-with-heat-recovery">ventilation systems</a> can recover the heat from this humid air instead, reducing how much energy is needed for heating. It’s estimated that this could save <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778817313531?casa_token=J_aopc8H8wcAAAAA:ulZ3vlANbJwLW7Y2yxWHXJuE8LoA15z-sA7ZTz_RANZ9DYsvhYTD4LJzK7KImEca_CPZ_2uV6-M">between 23 and 56%</a> of the cost of an energy bill when combined with other energy-saving measures, such as wall and loft insulation.</p>
<h2>4. Wastewater treatment plants</h2>
<p>Sewage and water treatment plants produce <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-53178463">a lot of heat</a>, which is generated from the composting of organic material in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/24/4782">sludge</a> (temperatures can reach 70°C). This excess heat can be reused directly or via heat pumps.</p>
<h2>5. River and sea water</h2>
<p>A heat pump works in a similar way to a kitchen fridge, in which the heat is extracted from the food and drink inside and released outside. The temperature of river and sea water changes less between days and seasons than the air, and <a href="https://www.araner.com/blog/seawater-heat-pumps">heat pumps</a> can use these stable water temperatures as a source of heating in winter and cooling during summer. Think about the water bottle inside the fridge as the river water, and the heat pumped outside the fridge as the source of heating for a house.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A lake with buildings, trees and a hill on the far side." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518322/original/file-20230329-16-znn3xy.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">River, lake and sea water are stable heat sources for heat pumps.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Amin Al-Habaibeh</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>6. Flooded coal mines</h2>
<p>The water in coal mines offers an even more efficient solution. Ground temperatures do not change much <a href="https://geothermal-energy-journal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40517-017-0082-z">deeper than 1 metre</a>. At much lower depths, temperatures actually <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261912000542?casa_token=vUH82yNC8qMAAAAA:tqYcinjxQKw-6aarzRKXHvBcQwClizVftON1TCFo1GXAGR_eilsp0XRbwZ4vxPvKw9KADAkw6a0">increase</a>. Abandoned coal mines tend to fill with lukewarm water from rain and the water table, and the UK has the equivalent of <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-legacy-of-dirty-coal-could-create-a-clean-energy-future-88969">400,000 Olympic swimming pools</a> stored in these mines, all at a fairly stable temperature. In winter, when the weather is very cold, this warm water is a suitable source of heat that can be transferred to buildings via heat pumps.</p>
<h2>7. You</h2>
<p>The average human body emits around 100 watts of heat at rest. When exercising, that heat can reach 1,000 watts: enough to boil one litre of water in <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-one-way-to-burn-less-fossil-fuel-use-human-energy-to-heat-buildings-instead-181525">six minutes</a>.</p>
<p>When people gather indoors, the heat they emit starts to accumulate. Crowded public places can be used to heat other parts of the same building or adjacent buildings.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An infrared image of a house showing significant heat losses." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=378&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=476&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=476&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/518318/original/file-20230329-17-wu22mb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=476&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">An infrared image of a house in winter: the lighter the colour, the warmer the surface.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Amin Al-Habaibeh</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Infrared imaging reveals how much heat is typically lost from the buildings we spend much of our lives in. Combined with insulation and some of the technologies discussed here, humanity could meet much of its heating needs without additional sources – and cut one of the biggest sources of climate-warming emissions.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/202192/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Amin Al-Habaibeh has received funding from European Commission, Research Fund for Coal and Steel, July 2014 -June 2017 (Contract No.: RFCR-CT-2014-00001); and Innovate UK, Knowledge Transfer Partnership number 9032.</span></em></p>Everything from ice rinks to crowded public places is a potential source of home heating.Amin Al-Habaibeh, Professor of Intelligent Engineering Systems, Nottingham Trent UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2011252023-03-15T16:56:41Z2023-03-15T16:56:41ZWhy so few UK homes are installing air-source heat pumps – and how to encourage takeup<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/514442/original/file-20230309-305-btz5n2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=11%2C0%2C7915%2C5288&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Heat pump sales in the UK are lagging behind the rest of Europe.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/woman-gloves-laptop-bill-trying-keep-2212717491">Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Burning gas is a common but environmentally damaging way of heating our homes. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969720361544">Gas-fired heating systems</a> produce up to <a href="https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/POST-PN-0523/POST-PN-0523.pdf">the equivalent of 380g of CO₂ for each kilowatt hour (kWh) of heat generated</a>. In general, for each kWh of heat generated, an air-source heat pump using energy from non-renewable sources could result in only half as much CO₂ emissions. And renewable sources would mean even less CO₂.</p>
<p>So, through a <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/five-reasons-to-get-a-heat-pump">£5,000 grant</a>, the UK government is encouraging homeowners to switch to air-source heat pumps as a greener alternative to gas boilers. Air-source heat pumps extract heat from the air, even when the air is very cold, to warm water, which is then used in your home’s heating system. How well this works depends on the efficiency of the air-source heat pump. </p>
<p>However, air-source heat pump takeup in the UK is among the <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Briefing-heat-pumps-9Sept-4.pdf">lowest in Europe</a>. The upfront cost may seem like an obvious reason why. Even with the grant, installing an air-source heat pump can cost <a href="https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/advice/air-source-heat-pumps/">thousands of pounds</a> more than a new boiler. </p>
<p>The government could arguably increase the subsidy. But, as psychologists, we argue that more could be done to change the way people think about air-source heat pumps to encourage takeup.</p>
<p>The way people make decisions is often influenced by “biases”. A behavioural bias does not mean that everyone behaves identically. Rather, we expect a particular behaviour more often than not.</p>
<p>There are three sources of behavioural bias that may affect how people view air-source heat pumps.</p>
<h2>1. Ambiguity aversion</h2>
<p>People <a href="https://academic.oup.com/qje/article-abstract/75/4/643/1913802?redirectedFrom=fulltext">prefer known risks to unknown risks</a>. Air-source heat pumps carry unknown risks as planning regulations are underspecified and vary throughout the UK. This means that planning applications can have unpredictable outcomes.</p>
<p>One of us (Emmanuel Pothos) had his planning application for an air source heat pump delayed because of noise concerns. The planners ignored the government’s recommended guidelines for assessing noise impact and insisted on impractical or expensive options, like an acoustic enclosure or a detailed acoustic survey.</p>
<p>There is also no standard way of reporting an air-source heat pump’s efficiency, making it difficult to compare different models. Invariably, the relevant manufacturer’s information involves large and complex tables of efficiency values against operating and environmental temperatures. This ambiguity makes it harder for people to choose between what are already unfamiliar options.</p>
<p>To reduce ambiguity, the government could introduce greater standardisation in performance reporting for manufacturers and planning permission requirements for planners. Also, by communicating installation risks directly, such as planning permission obstacles, we believe installers might reassure (that there are no hidden risks), rather than put off prospective customers. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A diagram showing how an air source heat pump system works." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=570&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=570&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514438/original/file-20230309-16-b3o60q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=570&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Air source heat pumps extract heat from air to heat your home.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/air-source-heat-pump-system-floor-2232554773">VectorMine/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>2. Loss aversion</h2>
<p>Most people are <a href="https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1985-05780-001">more sensitive to losses than gains</a>. For example, we tend to pay more for car or home insurance than is required, to protect ourselves from the possibility of incurring large but unlikely losses (such as car theft). </p>
<p>The installation of an air-source heat pump incurs a higher loss than a gas boiler. The extra cost would have to be compensated somehow before homeowners are tempted to consider air-source heat pumps. </p>
<p>But the cost of a heating system is not just the cost of installation. It includes maintenance and running costs too, and the latter depends on how energy prices change. While the initial cost is specific and certain, the costs of maintenance and operation are uncertain and vague. </p>
<p>Our aversion to losses thus likely works against air-source heat pumps. </p>
<p>This could be mitigated by explicit calculations of “lifetime” costs for a heating system. At current gas prices, switching from a traditional boiler to an efficient air-source heat pump would produce a slight reduction on bills for a typical UK home (according to our calculation). And global gas reserves are only expected to last around 40 years, so gas is <a href="https://mahb.stanford.edu/library-item/fossil-fuels-run/">unlikely to become any cheaper in the long term</a>. So, looking at lifetime costs could put air-source heat pumps ahead. </p>
<h2>3. Availability</h2>
<p>Is an air-source heat pump likely to be a good decision or not? We sometimes evaluate decisions based on <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0010028573900339">how easy it is to recall examples</a> from our experience. When choosing between different heating options, you might remember neighbours or friends who have recently installed a gas boiler. By contrast, there would be few such examples for air-source heat pumps given their low uptake in the UK.</p>
<p>But if installers could showcase the number of installations for different geographical areas, instead of offering a handful of testimonials, air-source heat pumps would become more normalised.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="An engineer installing a gas boiler." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/514441/original/file-20230309-24-j1wra5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Gas boilers are simply more common.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/professional-engineer-doing-boiler-inspection-home-2159556831">Stock-Asso/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Ambiguity, concerns over personal financial losses, and the lack of accessible data regarding successful installations will likely slow air source heat pump uptake in the UK. Financial incentives no doubt help, but the government also needs to address how people think about them if it is serious about greening household energy systems.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
<br><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeTop">Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead.</a> Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/newsletters/imagine-57?utm_source=TCUK&utm_medium=linkback&utm_campaign=Imagine&utm_content=DontHaveTimeBottom">Join the 10,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.</a></em></p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/201125/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Emmanuel Pothos receives funding from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Air Force Material Command, for a research project, unrelated to this article. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Lee White does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The UK is next to last in Europe for heat pump sales – psychologists explain why take up is so low.Emmanuel Pothos, Professor of Psychology, City, University of LondonLee White, Honorary Research Fellow, City, University of LondonLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2017872023-03-14T15:51:51Z2023-03-14T15:51:51ZFuel poverty makes you sick – so why has nothing changed since I was a child living in a cold home?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/515162/original/file-20230314-3582-jzxxf9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C4928%2C3280&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/child-boy-hand-draws-on-cold-563924788">ARIMAG/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>During the 1970s and 1980s I grew up in a cold home. On very cold mornings, ice would be crusted on my bedroom window and my every breath would condense in the air.</p>
<p>Things had to be done in a rush to avoid the cold. I remember not wanting to get out of bed, then once I was up, rushing to get dressed in clothes that felt damp before hurrying downstairs to warm them in front of the fan heater. We only ventured from the one warm room in the house each evening if necessary, usually to dash to the toilet or quickly make a cup of tea. Bedrooms were no-go areas until you had to go to sleep – a nightly ritual which involved putting a hot water bottle under the covers half an hour before bedtime then layering up in night clothes, socks and blankets, only to wake up in a cold room once more. </p>
<p>I have been researching cold homes for almost 30 years. The war in Ukraine, rising energy prices and inflation have driven <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/feb/28/pressure-jeremy-hunt-as-2m-more-households-fall-into-fuel-poverty">millions more</a> households into fuel poverty. But the fact that this problem has endured over four decades has a lot to do with the poor condition of housing in the UK. Much of it is badly insulated, draughty or hard to ventilate and heat.</p>
<p>Since I started my career, the variety of health consequences of living in cold homes has become widely recognised and well documented. Yet the problem is worse now than when I was a child. </p>
<h2>Cold homes are sickly homes</h2>
<p>For instance, we now know that being unable to afford sufficient heating <a href="https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/fuel-poverty-cold-homes-and-health-inequalities-in-the-uk/read-the-report.pdf">increases your risk</a> of developing heart disease and respiratory problems. Your mental health suffers too: <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622007675">anxiety, stress and depression</a> are more common among residents of inadequately heated homes. Cold homes also exacerbate conditions such as <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132319300472">arthritis</a> and make you more likely to catch <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421510000625?via%3Dihub">colds, flu and pneumonia</a>. Living in a cold home was even found to make people less dexterous, increasing the likelihood of <a href="https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/the-health-impacts-of-cold-homes-and-fuel-poverty/the-health-impacts-of-cold-homes-and-fuel-poverty.pdf">accidents and unintentional injury</a>.</p>
<p>Research has revealed that those at greatest risk of health problems include <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-016-6235-y">older people</a>, <a href="https://www.fuelpovertylibrary.info/sites/default/files/EAGA20%20%282008%29%20%20REPORT%20The%20dynamics%20of%20bad%20housing%20on%20the%20living%20standards%20of%20children.pdf">babies and children</a>, and people with a longstanding illness or disability. </p>
<p>We know that these groups are often more susceptible to the cold and are particularly vulnerable as they tend to spend more time at home. A child living in inadequate housing is at a greater risk of chest and breathing issues, including <a href="https://www.fuelpovertylibrary.info/sites/default/files/EAGA20%20%282008%29%20%20REPORT%20The%20dynamics%20of%20bad%20housing%20on%20the%20living%20standards%20of%20children.pdf">asthma and bronchitis</a>. Young people in cold homes are unhappier than those living in warmer housing, and children living in cold, damp homes <a href="https://www.instituteofhealthequity.org/resources-reports/fuel-poverty-cold-homes-and-health-inequalities-in-the-uk/read-the-report.pdf">miss more school days</a> due to illness and find it harder to study at home.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Wallpaper marked by black mould in the corner of a room." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515165/original/file-20230314-24-sbm6z7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Mould can spread in a cold house and poses a big health risk.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/mold-fungus-problem-near-heater-hanging-567487411">Cegli/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The comparatively high number of <a href="https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/cold-comfort-social-and-environmental-determinants-excess-winter-deaths-england-1986-1996">excess winter deaths</a> in the UK compared to other European countries with colder winters has been linked to the country’s poorly insulated housing combined with high levels of fuel poverty. The energy efficiency of a house <a href="https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng6/evidence/evidence-review-1-factors-determining-vulnerability-to-winter-and-coldrelated-mortalitymorbidity-pdf-544621933">largely determines</a> how vulnerable the occupants will be to cold-related health risks.</p>
<p>An inability to meet basic energy needs, such as heating or having a warm bath, is one of the <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25726123/">main contributors</a> to chronic stress in low-income households. Fuel poverty accompanies and <a href="https://wires.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/wene.455">exacerbates existing inequalities</a>. As well as enduring inadequate housing, those living in fuel poverty are much more likely to experience other forms of deprivation, all of which contribute to a cumulative burden on their health. For example, at present disabled people face <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214629621005430">spiralling energy poverty</a> due to <a href="https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/153068/">a combination</a> of their disability, ill health and reduced earning capacity. Being a single parent, experiencing a mental health problem and being out of work are all <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421519301879">factors</a> which can push people into fuel poverty.</p>
<h2>The benefits of improving homes</h2>
<p>Higher energy prices and the cost of living crisis mean many more people will experience fuel poverty and endure the health consequences. Yet there is abundant evidence demonstrating that tackling cold, inefficient and poorly insulated properties and providing suitable ventilation can benefit asthma and respiratory symptoms, mental wellbeing and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35742650/">health more generally</a>. Improving the energy efficiency of homes has <a href="https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/energy/multiple-benefits-of-energy-efficiency_9789264220720-en">multiple benefits</a> for society: by reducing energy use, it can <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421513002413">cut carbon emissions</a> and <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09613218.2017.1314641">improve the finances</a> of people living in them.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A man fitting insulating foam between wooden buttresses in a roof." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/515167/original/file-20230314-4604-cpaicg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Installing insulation in household cavities can trap more heat indoors.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/worker-overall-setting-thermal-insulating-material-154455053">Kzenon/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The most vulnerable people are likely to enjoy the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829210001486">biggest health improvements</a> from warmer homes. People with chronic respiratory disease have seen their <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/09613218.2017.1314641">symptoms improve</a> as a result of lower humidity and increased warmth in winter, which also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S027795361500088X">boosts heart health</a>. Making housing more energy efficient and affordable to heat can also <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953614007758">improve personal relationships</a>, increase feelings of autonomy and <a href="https://shura.shu.ac.uk/18167/1/CRESR_WF_final+Nav%20(2).pdf">reduce distress</a>.</p>
<p>Not only would this improve millions of lives, but recent studies have also shown that large-scale home insulation schemes and programmes to upgrade homes to a decent standard <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m4571">reduce hospital admissions</a>, alleviating pressure on health services.</p>
<p>And so I ask, given all this evidence, why hasn’t anything changed since I was a child living in a cold home?</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="Imagine weekly climate newsletter" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/434988/original/file-20211201-21-13avx6y.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
</figcaption>
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<p><strong><em>Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?</em></strong>
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<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jan Gilbertson undertakes research on cold homes which examines the impact of home improvements on health. These projects have received funding from government, local authorities, third sector organisations and the ESRC. </span></em></p>After decades of research revealing the long-term damage of fuel poverty, the problem is worse than ever.Jan Gilbertson, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.