Summary and reader's response on sustainable technologies (Final draft)

According to the webpage, 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 is 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. However, I feel that the article does not take into account the high cost of sustainable technologies if they were to be applied into individual households.

Firstly, the article only states the advantages and uses of 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 available or affordable to the people who have low-income, renting, 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 smart 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 the widespread adoption of sustainable technologies in households 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 technology to come into our everyday life sustainably.

 

References:

AngiesList (n.d.). Do smart appliances cost more to repair? https://www.angieslist.com/articles/do-smart-appliances-cost-more-repair.htm

Construction Climate Challenge (2019). Top Sustainable Technologies in Green Construction. https://constructionclimatechallenge.com/2019/02/19/top-sustainable-technologies-in-green-construction/

Evaco (2016). The Disadvantages of Solar Energy. https://ecavo.com/solar-energy-disadvantages/

National Association of Realtors (2019). The pros and cons of smart kitchen and laundry appliances. https://homebuying.realtor/content/pros-and-cons-smart-kitchen-and-laundry-appliances

SolarPowerNerd (n.d.). Why Solar Panels Are Not Worth It: Pros & Cons. https://solarpowernerd.com/why-solar-panels-are-not-worth-it/

Woodford (2020). Electrochromic windows. https://www.explainthatstuff.com/electrochromic-windows.html