WHICH UPGRADES ARE RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME? UNDERSTANDING EMBODIED AND OPERATIONAL CARBON
The construction industry is responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions.
If you own a pre-built home, much of the embodied carbon is out of your hands, but you hold all the power when it comes to renovations, restorations, and even decor swaps. Each decision you make can raise or lower your environmental footprint and have an effect on the resale value of your home should you choose to sell in the future. For some guidance in this discussion we reached out to regenerative interior and product designer Laurence Carr. Carr is a committee member and advisor to the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network as well as a sustainability ambassador to Maison et Objet. As creator, executive producer, and host of her EarthxTV original series “Chez Laurence,” she showcases innovations toward circularity and sustainability in the design industry and the built environment with each episode. Carr says, “Prioritizing sustainable upgrades requires balancing operational and embodied carbon considerations.” This is an ongoing process that includes a combination of big and small actions. As a rule, if an upgrade is suitable for your home, it will pay for itself over time and be a good move for the environment. When considering your options, remember that even if you don’t stay in your home long enough to break even, having a home with eco- friendly features will make it more valuable when you sell.
This occurs through a combination of the materials used in construction, commonly referred to as embodied carbon, and the carbon emissions released during the life of the structure, called operational carbon. During construction, the builder and/or the homeowner can make valuable upgrades that eliminate waste, replace synthetic materials with natural ones, and improve efficiency. Think about it this way. Every product used in construction leaves a trail of greenhouse gasses as it is manufactured, transported, installed, and disposed of. However, conscientious decisions about product selection can significantly reduce that embodied carbon footprint. This includes things like minimizing the use of concrete and steel, increasing natural light, positioning the home to optimize natural heating and cooling, airtight construction, superior insulation, and high-quality windows. The other part of the carbon footprint comes from operational carbon. This is the carbon released by the daily activities within the home, such as heating, cooling, cooking, and using power. Ultra-efficient houses are known as passive houses, and they use just 10% of the energy most homes require. That’s a massive, and measurable, savings for your pocketbook and the planet.
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October 2024
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