Low-carbon housing: Smart, not cheap

Today’s homes are far greater energy hogs than they should be. Sprawling suburban McMansions, now falling to foreclosure in record numbers, might be more well-insulated and efficiently equipped than their predecessors, but they’re often ridiculously large for the number of people they house … not to mention ridiculously far from urban centres where the jobs are.

On the other hand, older homes that haven’t been refurbished can be wasteful energy sieves, leaking air through door and window gaps, losing too much (or gaining too much) heat through windows, roofs and walls, and consuming far too much electricity through outdated appliances, old water heaters and inefficient lighting.

In the UK, for example, much of the housing stock is decades old and poorly insulated. Homes account for almost one-third of Britain’s carbon footprint, which explains why the government has made it a goal for all new houses to be zero-carbon by 2016. Existing homes, on the other hand, are being targeted by the government’s “Green Deal,” which aims to “revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties,” both owned and rented.

While it makes financial sense over time to put in insulation, replace incandescent light-bulbs and install new water-heaters and other appliances, the upfront cost for homeowners can be daunting. Organisations like the Great British Refurb — a partnership of the UK Green Building Council, Grand Designs Magazine and WWF — see one solution as more cash incentives for homeowners who improve the efficiency of their homes.

GE sees another solution in more innovative, energy-focused technologies for the home. In a continuation of its $200 million ecomagination Challenge, the company is looking for new ideas for better energy management in the next-generation eco-home. Anyone with a promising proposal is being encouraged to submit his or her idea between 18 January and 1 March.

Certainly, a combination of financial incentives and better (and more reasonably priced) technology could go a long way toward improving the energy efficiency of our homes. With the ongoing housing crisis and weak economy, homeowners and renters alike need all the help they can get to make their residences more energy-smart. While many undoubtedly already realise the benefits of insulation, efficient appliances and other improvements, they’re not going to be able to act if they can’t afford it.