We all rely on energy to heat our homes and care for our basic needs; especially through the winter. And since it
feels as though winter is fully upon us, what better time to consider our home energy use? Without getting too deep
into the politics, it’s good to be aware how big this conversation really is. As it reads in the book Building a Better
World in Your Backyard, “Nearly all war is rooted in energy. Most pollution is rooted in energy. Energy has a huge
impact on carbon footprint.” We don’t all need to have the same concern for our carbon footprint to take energy use
seriously – it’s a global, political issue.
In order to be happy, we all need to be warm, clothed and fed, and I believe that the vast majority of us want that
for our neighbours around the world. At the very least, perhaps we still hold remnants of our Mennonite forebearers
frugality that might help pique our interest in home energy usage.
In our cold climate, about 63% of energy at the household level is used heating our homes. In most homes we rely
on a central heating system. By way of either natural gas or electricity, we pump warm air throughout our home,
keeping it at a set temperature. This is convection heat. Besides convection, there is also conduction (transfer of
energy through two objects) and radiation (transferred through electromagnetic radiation). For example, think
about the simple warmth provided by a cup of tea (conduction) or the difference between sitting in the shade or
sun on a crisp fall day (radiation). The air temperature may be the same in all scenarios, but though conduction
and radiation, we feel much warmer.
Historically people relied much more on conduction and radiation as they are much more efficient. You can feel
warmer while using less overall energy. The simple idea is heating people and not space. Think about it this way.
Let’s say the average sized home in Canada is 1,800 square feet (newly built homes are on average 1,900), which
with an average ceiling height of 8’ is a volume of 14,400 cubic feet (of course not including basements). According
to a Google survey, Canadians on average have over 600 square feet per person of living space, so an average sized
home fits three people, who combined can occupy no more than 120 cubic feet in total (which is generous).
The majority of time in our homes we are sedentary: sleeping, reading, or watching a screen. Let’s say each person
has three spots where they enjoy doing these activities, for a grand total of 360 cubic feet of area that we occupy
regularly. That is 2.5% of the volume of the house being heated, in regular use! Of course, there is no 100%
efficient way of keeping warm, but as an illustration it shows how inefficient convective heat is, and hopefully
how much more efficient we might become heating people instead of space.
If this is at all compelling, here are a few ideas worth thinking about. To start, dress appropriately for the season.
Winter is cold, so wear layers. Long underwear in winter should easily become the norm, and not just for venturing
outdoors. In fact, one layer of thermal long underwear can allow you to turn down the thermostat 4°C, saving up to
40% on space energy heating. And this is just one subtle fashion statement: never mind toques, slippers, and scarves
all of which are quite comfortable while you sit and enjoy time at home. Maybe turning down the thermostat from
22 to 18°C seems a little extreme, but even a couple degrees could translate into significant savings, and if you layer
up while turning the thermostat down, you could be as a whole warmer on average. And this is just one strategy.
If we return to the places in our home where we collectively spend most time, then regardless of clothing choice, we
can easily turn down the thermostat while remaining comfortable. Consider using small space heaters in certain
rooms, a hot water bottle, or if you’re as outrageous as I am, a pet heating pad on the feet (it’s quite cozy)! Maybe
you have a favourite reading spot that you find cool?! An old incandescent light bulb can also be a multipurpose tool
that can provide a both light and a little extra heat.
Once you begin to notice a single simple solution solving multiple problems like this, you’ll know you’re on the
right track. For example, maybe a younger member of your household has made a habit of holing themselves in
their room with their good friends TikTok and Netflix a little too often. Well, if the thermostat is set so low that
their room is uncomfortable except for sleeping, then I’m sure you’ll be enjoying more of their company in the
future.
Keeping common areas warmer attracts people, encourages more interaction and less isolation. And not to mention,
there’s the added benefit of being able to sleep better in cooler temperatures. Many doctors and health
organizations point out that sleeping at a temperature around 60°F (15.5°C) results in longer sleeping periods,
waking feeling less stress and being more alert.
After the recent cold-snap, you’re probably feeling the cost of keeping your home warm in sub Arctic temperatures.
What better time to consider what lowering the thermostat, and heating people and not space might look like in
your home! I think this, like other acts of simplicity, can bring us closer together and keep us more in touch with
energy that sustains us. And much like in other areas of consumption, in energy use, lowering our average leads to
more savings in the long-term for everyone.
Additional Readings:
1. For more specific information visit lowtechmagazine.com or specifically this article: https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2015/02/heating-people-not-spaces.html
2. http://demographia.com/db-hsize.pdf
3. https://www.point2homes.com/news/canada-real-estate/how-large-are-canadian-homes.html
4. https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2011/02/body-insulation-thermal-underwear.html
5. https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/12/sleep-cold/604111/
Written for ACAN by Jonah Langelotz
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