Download - New Brunswick Climate Change Hub
New Brunswick Climate Change Hub
Reducing GHG in New Brunswick
Mark Butler
Reducing GHG in New Brunswick
Mark Butler
Reducing GHG Emissions From Buildings Picking the Low Hanging FruitPicking the Low Hanging Fruit
Fuel Switching?Fuel Switching?
oror
Conservation?Conservation?
Fuel switching conserves energy and is the Fuel switching conserves energy and is the most cost-effective means of reducing GHG.most cost-effective means of reducing GHG.
GHG Reductions – Buildings
Energy In Heat Out
1. Heat Loss
2. Heating system Efficiency
3. Fuel Type
FurnaceFurnace
BoilerBoiler
Heat PumpHeat Pump
1. Reduce Heat Loss
Insulation
1. Reduce Heat Loss
• Insulation• Air sealing
1. Reduce Heat Loss
• Insulation
• Air sealing
• Windows
1. Reduce Heat Loss
• Insulation
• Air sealing
• Windows
• Setback
Thermostat
Typical measures promoted by governments and other Typical measures promoted by governments and other energy efficiency organizationsenergy efficiency organizations
2. Heating System Efficiency
Increase the Efficiency of the conversion of Energy to Heat
• Energy Star qualified oil and gas furnaces and boilers.
• Energy Star qualified air-source heat pump
• Ground or water source heat pumps• EPA rated wood appliances
2. Heating System Efficiency
• How efficiently the energy is converted into heat
• 75 GJ of Heat
88 GJ Heating Oil
88 GJ82 GJ Natural Gas
75 GJ Electricity
• 75 GJ of Heat
• 75 GJ of Heat
Using Electricity to Produce Heat
Fuel Oil Heat Electricity
Distribution Transmission
250 GJ Oil
75 GJ Heat
2. Heating System Efficiency
75 GJ of Heat
88 GJ Heating Oil
250 GJ HFO
75 GJ of Heat
75 GJ of Heat
82 GJ Natural Gas
157 GJ HFO 75 GJ of Heat
Natural Gas
Heating Oil
Electric Baseboard
Heat Pump
3. Fuel Type
GHG Emission Factors at Equal Efficiencies
0
20
40
60
80
100
Natural Gas Light Oil Heavy Oil
Kg
/GJ
Annual GHG Emissions
Residential Dwelling (75 GJ Heat Loss)
0
5
10
15
20
25
Natural Gas Light Oil Heat Pump Baseboard
To
nn
es
69% reduction in 69% reduction in energy useenergy use
Fuel Switching vs. Other
Baseboard Electric• Heating kWh will have to be reduced from
20,800 to 6,400 (69%) to reduce GHG to the level of heating with oil.
• Reduction to 4,000 kWh (81%) to equal GHG from natural gas.
Fuel Switching vs. Other
• The cost to reduce the heat loss in an electric baseboard heated home by 69% to 81% is far greater than the cost to install a central heating system with gas or oil.
• The cost to install a central heating system with a heat pump is greater than an Energy Star gas or oil furnace and emits 160% more GHG.
• CFL’s and Energy Star appliances save energy by reducing the amount of heat they produce – not very beneficial in an electrically heated home compared to one with gas, oil or wood heat (no advantage for 260 out 365 days a year).
Measures to Reduce GHG
Reduce Heat Loss• Insulation• Air sealing• Windows• Setback Thermostat
Heating System Efficiency• Energy Star qualified oil and
gas furnaces and boilers.• Energy Star qualified air-
source heat pump• Ground or water source heat
pumps
• EPA rated wood appliances
Common measures promoted through government policy
and programs.
Fuel Type – No specific programs or incentives to increaseNo specific programs or incentives to increase
efficiency through fuel switching.efficiency through fuel switching.
Conclusion
Electric resistance heating is the most inefficient use of fossil fuel.
Baseboard electric heating should be banned in new construction.
Electric rate structures need to be modified to eliminate the incentive that exists to heat with electricity.
Government programs need to assist building owners with the cost of installing central heat.
The conversion of fossil fuel energy heat electricity The conversion of fossil fuel energy heat electricity heat should be discouraged. heat should be discouraged.