At first glance, one of the most striking differences between a newly built home and one that was built 30 years ago is the abundance of electrical outlets in every room. These outlets have become increasingly indispensable in kitchens, where a variety of small appliances such as pressure cookers, deep fryers, rice cookers, and food processors are used daily. People also need to charge multiple phones, tablets, computers, and other electronic devices. Finally, ever-rising summer temperatures have made air conditioning essential in many homes.
Households are highly dependent on electricity, but curiously its use has decreased in recent decades, according to the Administration's Energy Office. Their figures suggest that the average household in the U.S. consumes 33.5% less energy than it did in 1980. The reasons lie in an improvement in insulation and building materials in addition to the increased efficiency of large and small appliances, water heaters, and light bulbs.
Lifestyle, Family, Parent with child controlling kitchen lamp via tablet. Westend61 (Getty Images/Westend61)
To achieve environmental sustainability, we need to focus on improving the efficiency of appliances and transitioning to a greener grid, eliminating greenhouse gas-emitting components in electricity generation. This crucial change can start in the home itself.
Avangrid is a leading sustainable energy company serving 3.3 million utility customers in the Northeast. Avangrid's CEO, Pedro Azagra, explains
"We are helping our customers reduce their carbon footprint in multiple ways. " First, we're increasing production and access to clean energy from renewable sources to power our customers' homes and businesses. This may be the most important step we're taking to help our customers lead sustainable lives. We also have several programs to help them increase the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their costs and environmental footprints."
Pedro Azagra
The example of the best that can be done in this regard is the so-called passive houses, something that Hammad Chaudhry likes to talk about. Chaudhry, manager of conservation and charging programs at Avangrid, explains that these homes are "very efficient" and use the heat pump mechanism for acclimatization. Insulation, airtight construction, heat control, high-quality windows and ventilation are basic elements of homes in which the need to cool or heat is reduced by almost 90% and thus reduce their impact on the climate. And that is something that reduces consumption to a large extent because acclimatization is what demands, on average, 51% of the total electricity consumed in a house.
"Smart thermostats also improve efficiency by 'learning' the daily behavior of people in the home," Chaudhry said. "For example, they can turn on the heat pump an hour before you get home from work so that the temperature is perfect for you." Heat pumps are the most efficient way to control the temperature of a home, as they use much less electricity and can be used for both heating and cooling, unlike electric heaters. These devices can operate efficiently even in extremely cold temperatures, which is particularly important in certain areas of the Northeast where Avangrid operates. Incentives are available for homeowners who install this technology once they have been certified for extremely cold climates.
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Sustainability is a domestic affair
The Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 provides financial relief to customers who want to install heat pumps, which are slightly more expensive than traditional heating and air conditioning systems. These costs can also be offset through Avangrid's financial aid programs. Before installing a heat pump at home, Chaudhry recommends making sure you have the right insulation to maximize its benefits. Avangrid contractors can assess your home and provide recommendations on how to minimize heating and cooling loss. Older buildings generally need new and improved insulation. It's also important to select a heat pump that has the right capacity for your home.
To achieve energy efficiency in your home, integrate renewable energy sources such as solar panels or batteries. Not only will they create a sustainable living environment, but they will also offer attractive incentives.
From the grid to the road
The optimal time to charge an electric car is when electricity consumption is lowest. This sustainable practice can also save money, as electricity during off-peak hours is less expensive. "Almost 30% of greenhouse gas emissions come from transportation," explains Christina Ficicchia, manager of Avangrid's Smart Grid program, "so addressing this problem is going to help improve climate issues."
The rise in production of sleeker electric cars (EVs), along with efforts by companies like Toyota to develop advanced motors that can go 745 miles on a single charge and install charging facilities along highways, are changing the public perception of EVs. According to Cox Automotive, more than 2023,300 EVs were sold in the third quarter of 000, an increase of nearly 50% compared to the previous year. Currently, EVs have a market share of 7.9%.
Smiling mother holding an electrical outlet standing next to father at a gas station. Maskot (Getty Images/Maskot)
"The emissions of an electric car are those associated with its manufacture and the energy we put into the grid to charge it, but it is a solution that is going to become more sustainable over time," explains Ficicchia. "It's a matter of time before we add more renewable supply to our distribution network and it's a matter of time before we have more EVs on the grid and the necessary infrastructure can be built."
The states of California and New York have passed legislation to ban the sale of cars in those states that are not fully electric or hybrid starting in 2035, something that will give a significant boost to the adoption of this type of car. According to Ficicchia, it's a way to send a signal to the auto industry that it can make the transition to manufacturing these vehicles because the demand is going to be there in a few years.
Adding to the individual impact is the shift in commercial vehicle fleets like Amazon's to make parcel deliveries and the truck fleets that have the highest emissions. Emissions from trucks are comparable to those of 10 passenger vehicles, so moving away from gasoline and diesel engines will have a significant impact.
Ficicchia knows that this is a process that will take time because many of the trucks are part of large fleets and it is not possible to make a quick transition due to the needs involved, the costs and the fact that it will demand a greater production capacity and a network that will have to be expanded to respond to future energy demand.
"We can't build substations overnight, we need a few years to do it," explains Ficicchia, who advises users to proactively develop their transition plans, allowing enough time to prepare for the change.
Installing the rotor blades on a eólica.ZU_09 turbine (Getty Images)
Both Ficicchia and Chaudhry recognize that there is a cost associated with this transition that requires both the aid that can come from the private and public sectors. Municipalities will require additional incentives and investment during the initial stages of the transition, when the highest costs are incurred.
The Inflation Reduction Act introduced several incentives for the energy transition, but Ficicchia believes it's also important to act quickly on environmental issues. "And to accelerate the transportation transition," Ficicchia said, "innovative economic solutions will play a critical role."
Marcel, a unique hotel
The Marcel Hotel in New Haven, Connecticut, part of the Hilton chain, is one of a kind. It is the first in the world with more than 100 rooms certified as a passive building.
In its last renovation, architect and property owner Bruce Redman Becker made this brutalist-style building, which was completed in 1970, operated entirely on renewable energy and zero emissions. The building, which housed the offices of Armstrong Rubber Company and later Pirelli, is now an example of how an old building can be adapted to new technology.
Hammad Chaudhry, manager of Avangrid, explains that it has all the necessary technologies to reach this goal of sustainability and efficiency, including storage batteries. According to Chaudhry, "This hotel represents the future."