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Question set 2
Question 6
The design of contemporary housing in Scotland has/will have a significant bearing on our future energy consumption. Discuss citing appropriate examples and references.
Tigh na Dobhran, Arduaine 2008
Fiscavaig, Isle of Skye 2009
Ultimately in the future, the energy consumption that we use daily on living will decrease if we use the contemporary way of living. Moreover, if more contemporary house styles are built around Scotland the less energy each household will use due to new materials, the style and use of contemporary houses, ventilation systems, ground source heating pumps, glazing, insulated panels, open spaces, natural light, solar energy, air tightness, ventilation solutions, orientation, surroundings etc. Human comfort is dependent on air temperature, surface temperatures, humidity levels, and air movement. Furthermore, it is important when constructed a contemporary house in Scotland that these are considered. Also, it is important that carbon footprint is reduced. Below is a few examples of how we can consume energy.
Woodwork/ timber is energy efficient as it provides a structurally sound, long lasting home. Timber framed houses are constructed from a renewable resource. Due to this it avoids the energy intensive nature of the materials used in usual brick and block housing. Furthermore, non- renewable aggregate has to be laboriously recovered and then made into building blocks. Timber is not as dependant on fossil fuels either, which means that it is more environmentally friendly, which contemporary houses aim to achieve. Most of the wood in the UK comes from residues and recovered wood and it effectively recycles its own waste, so it makes manufacturing costs low also.
Air source heat pumps absorb heat from outside. A recent house in Glasgow suburbs was built and a air source heat pump was used. The heat pumps warmth into...