Climate Action at Home - Achieving Carbon Neutral

Summary

This video explores practical steps homeowners can take to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce their home’s carbon footprint. It highlights energy efficiency improvements, including insulation, air-tightness, and upgrading heating systems, as well as the benefits of solar energy through net metering. It also discusses electrification of heating with heat pumps and the role of carbon offsetting programs. By making thoughtful upgrades and using available resources, homeowners can significantly reduce emissions, contributing to the Greater Peterborough Area’s goal of a 30% emissions reduction by 2031.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Greater Peterborough Area's climate change action plan aims for a 30% reduction in emissions by 2031, with the housing sector being a key focus for lowering community emissions.
• 😀 Homes can reduce emissions by 20-40% through energy efficiency improvements, such as upgrading building envelopes and heating systems.
• 😀 Achieving carbon neutrality at home involves producing clean energy, and solar energy is an effective and accessible option in the region.
• 😀 Solar net-metering systems allow homeowners to produce electricity and send excess energy back to the grid through a bi-directional meter.
• 😀 Shading from trees, other buildings, or roof obstructions can reduce solar panel efficiency, so proper site selection is crucial for installation.
• 😀 For roofs with shingles, assessing their age and condition is important before installing solar panels. Metal roofs have an advantage as they typically outlive solar panel lifespan.
• 😀 Ground-mounted solar systems are more suitable for rural areas with enough space, though they typically cost 10-20% more than roof-mounted systems.
• 😀 To achieve carbon neutrality, it is important to reduce electricity demand and switch from high-emission fuels (like natural gas and fuel oil) to cleaner energy sources like electricity.
• 😀 Energy efficiency improvements, such as increasing air tightness and insulation, are key in reducing energy demand before installing clean energy systems.
• 😀 Heat pumps, either air-source or ground-source, are efficient heating and cooling options for electrifying homes and achieving net-zero emissions.
• 😀 Carbon offsetting, such as supporting renewable energy projects or tree planting, can help offset any remaining household emissions after energy efficiency improvements.

Q & A

What was the emission reduction target set by the Greater Peterborough Area in 2016?

The Greater Peterborough Area set a target to reduce emissions by 30% by the year 2031.

How much can homes reduce their emissions through energy efficiency improvements?

Homes can reduce their emissions by 20-40% through energy efficiency improvements such as upgrading the building envelope and heating systems.

What is a key strategy for achieving carbon neutrality at home?

A primary strategy for achieving carbon neutrality at home is to produce clean energy on-site, such as by installing solar panels.

How does a solar net-metering system work?

In a solar net-metering system, a bi-directional meter tracks electricity both coming into the house and being sent back to the grid. This allows homeowners to generate solar power and offset their electricity consumption.

What is the ideal location for installing solar panels on a home?

The optimal location for solar panels is typically the south side of the roof, as this maximizes exposure to sunlight. It's also important to minimize shading from nearby buildings, trees, or other obstructions.

What are the advantages of ground-mounted solar systems compared to roof-mounted systems?

Ground-mounted systems allow for adjustable tilt angles and orientation of the panels, potentially improving efficiency. However, they typically cost 10-20% more than roof-mounted systems and are more common in rural settings.

What role does insulation and air-tightness play in making a home energy-efficient?

Insulation and air-tightness are crucial for energy efficiency. By making a home airtight and ensuring continuous insulation, you minimize energy loss, which reduces the overall energy demand for heating and cooling.

What is the advantage of using a heat pump over traditional heating methods?

Heat pumps are highly efficient, as they can both heat and cool a home. Air-source heat pumps use ambient air to generate heat, while ground-source heat pumps use stable underground temperatures, providing energy-efficient heating even in cold climates.

What are carbon offsets and how can homeowners use them to achieve carbon neutrality?

Carbon offsets are investments in projects that reduce or remove carbon from the atmosphere, such as renewable energy projects, tree planting, or ecosystem restoration. Homeowners can purchase offsets to compensate for emissions that are difficult to eliminate entirely.

Why is it important to choose the right materials for a deep energy retrofit?

The materials used in a deep energy retrofit should have a low carbon footprint, as their emissions impact occurs upfront. Choosing sustainable materials ensures that the emissions savings from the retrofit are not outweighed by the carbon cost of the materials themselves.