Reader's response on sustainable technologies (Draft 2)
According to the article, Construction Climate
Challenge (2019) states that “Green technology makes buildings more
energy-efficient and sustainable.” Through low-energy houses, self-powered
buildings and the use of smart appliances, all of these are contributing to
achieve zero-energy levels in homes and buildings. The solar power in buildings
reduces usage of electricity through absorption of sun’s radiation. In
contrast, cool roofs and electrochromic smart glass block and reflect sunlight
away. The use of biodegradable materials, green insulation, sustainable
resource sourcing and rammed earth brick are about using materials in homes and
buildings that are less harmful and damaging to the Earth’s environment. To
effectively decrease water wastage, water efficiency technologies utilize the
implementation of “efficient water supply systems”. Sustainable indoor
environment technologies ensure the well-being of ‘’building occupants’’ are
taken care of. It is clear to say that sustainable technologies are important
components to green construction in buildings. However, I feel that the article
does not state the flaws and disadvantages of some of the sustainable
technologies mentioned in terms of the high cost.
Firstly, the article only stated the advantages
and uses of the solar power, however it does not mention that the initial cost
of purchasing a solar system is extremely high. According to Evaco (2016) Solar
power cost between $15,000 and $29,000 for average sized systems. These costs
include solar panels, inverter, mounting hardware and wiring,
installation, permits, repairs, monitoring and maintenance costs, and
additional operation and overhead costs. Furthermore, in order to supply
sufficient energy day and night for an average four-bedroom household, there
would be a need for an additional cost for a battery storage system which would
potentially have a total cost of between $33,300 and $47,300. I believe that
the cost of solar power is too high and not affordable for most households.
This can be further supported by SolarPowerNerd (n.d.) which stated that solar
panels are not affordable to the people who have low-income or the people
trying to find a job.
Secondly, the article stated that the use of
smart appliances such as “SmartGrid dishwasher, refrigerators and washing
machines are examples of sustainable technology” will help in establishing
zero-energy homes. These appliances may have more features and can help to save
electricity bills, however, it also cost much more. National Association of
Realtors (2019) stated that smart appliances cost much more and in addition to
the higher cost, they also require more repairs. This can be further supported
by AngiesList (n.d.) which stated “Energy-efficient refrigerators and other
smart appliances offer more options, but often don't last as long as their
low-tech predecessors”. To further support my argument, the repairing and
maintenance of smart appliances can be 50 to 100 percent more expensive.
Therefore, I believe that the accumulated cost of these smart appliances
including the repairs and maintenance can often outweigh the energy savings.
Lastly, the article does the same for
electrochromic smart glass where it states its advantages and uses but does not
mention the high cost of it. According to Woodford (2020) One of the drawbacks
of electrochromic smart glass is that it is way more expensive to install than
ordinary glass “a single large smart window typically comes in at around $500
to 1000 per square meter or $50 to 100 per square foot”. Electrochromic smart
glass is a new technology which helps to blocks and reflect sunlight away, but
I feel that it will only work well if there are multiple glasses around the
house, therefore installing several windows with smart glass may be quite an
investment and not affordable for most households.
To conclude, I believe that implementing these
smart technologies to the mass market still has a long way to go till the cost
can be brought down substantially. Cost will always be the main factor for any
latest technologies to come into our everyday life sustainably.
References:
Top sustainable technologies in green
construction. Construction Climate Challenge (2019) Retrieved from: https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green-construction/
The Disadvantages of Solar Energy. Evaco (2016)
Retrieved from: https://ecavo.com/solar-energy-disadvantages/
Why Solar Panels Are Not Worth It: Pros &
Cons. SolarPowerNerd (n.d.) Retrieved from: https://solarpowernerd.com/why-solar-panels-are-not-worth-it/
The pros and cons of smart kitchen and laundry
appliances. National Association of Realtors (2019) Retrieved from: https://homebuying.realtor/content/pros-and-cons-smart-kitchen-and-laundry-appliances
Do smart appliances cost more to repair?
AngiesList (n.d.) Retrieved from: https://www.angieslist.com/articles/do-smart-appliances-cost-more-repair.htm
Electrochromic windows. Woodford (2020) Retrieved
from: https://www.explainthatstuff.com/electrochromic-windows.html
Comments
Post a Comment