Tuesday, August 9, 2011
embodied energy and energy use
The Department of Energy has posted a lot of useful data on energy use in the United States, which helps identify the low hanging fruit for big gains in energy efficiency. Some of the key take-aways: Americans consume one fifth of the world’s energy. Two-fifths of that energy is consumed in and by buildings, with 22% going into our houses. 91% of that energy produces carbon or radiation. And, most depressingly, nearly half our energy is lost in transmission and distribution.
embodied energy of different construction methods includes the production and transportation of materials, and their erection on site. Our steel frame, for example, accounts for about 5.5 pounds of carbon dioxide per square foot of building, which is just 14% of the embodied energy in South Florida’s more typical concrete block and stucco walls.
Another source for energy conservation is water conservation. The Buildings Energy Data Book includes data on the energy used to source, treat and distribute drinking water and sewer waste. We'll blog more on how water equals energy, and energy equals water, in the future.
[images from U.S. Department of Energy Buildings Energy Data Book]