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Environmental Science Semester 2 An Introduction to Housing & Efficiency. Square Footage (Area). This is how the size of homes are measured, compared and communicated. It is a measure of the length and width of every room in the house added together.
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Environmental ScienceSemester 2 An Introduction to Housing & Efficiency
Square Footage (Area) • This is how the size of homes are measured, compared and communicated. • It is a measure of the length and width of every room in the house added together. • It only includes “livable” or “finished” areas of the home. • Garages, un-finished basements and attics, patios/porches are not included in this number
Trends in Housing… Square Footage Year
Trends in Housing Size… • In 1970, the average home is 1,525 ft2 • By 1988, the average home was 2,000 ft2 • Today, the average home is over 2,600 ft2
Why do we care about the size of houses? • Electrical consumption (light & appliances) • Heating/Cooling needs • Water heating • Cooking • Commuting
Resources Consumed in Homes • Natural Gas • Cooking, Heating, Water Heating • Electricity • Appliances/Lighting, Cooking, Heating/Cooling, Water Heating • Fuel Oil • Heating, Water Heating • Wood • Heating, Cooking • Propane/LPG • Heating, Water Heating, Cooking • Kerosene • Heating • Other Fuels • Coal
The Age of Efficiency… • OPEC Oil Embargo • The USA sides w/ Israel during a war with Syria and Egypt • OPEC cut off oil to the USA as a result • The price of petroleum products (gas, diesel, natural gas, kerosene, propane/LPG and fuel oil) increase. • The availability of these products declined
The Age of Efficiency… • Global Warming • Scientists first present global warming models in 1977. • Increased levels of carbon dioxide lead to an increase in the retention of heat by the Earth • Global warming does NOT mean that it will always be warmer everywhere. It means that there HAS been an increase in the average temperature on Earth. • The result of global warming is an increase in temperature extremes and an increase in the severity of weather events (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, fires)
What is the “Age of Efficiency”? • As a result of “resource scarcity”, people began to create technology that used less energy to operate. • This includes everything from television sets to cars and trucks • Homes built or remodeled after 1980 are more likely to be more energy efficient as a result. • windows & doors • Insulation