Energy Conservation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Energy Conservation - Essay Example Use of fossil fuel to generate electricity is the largest contributor of carbon emission (Shorrock & Dunster, 2008 p.134). In property industries across the United Kingdom, emissions of carbon are due to different household chores such as, lighting, cooling, heating homes during winter and use of machines especially those that could be powered by electricity. In industries, carbon could be emitted through activities such as mining, manufacturing and construction. For example, the chemical industries, food industries, paper and mineral production, petroleum refining and primary metal production. These industries consume energy in vast quantities (Terry 2011, p.23). The United Kingdom is committed in reducing its carbon emission, and it has taken a number of steps in order to ensure that it keeps up with the fight against carbon emissions. The main ones include: Carbon Budget, CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme and Climate Change agreements. Carbon Budget would be established to curb green h ouse gas emission for a given period in the United Kingdom; the government would be committed in cutting the discharge by 80% by 2050. The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme would be aimed at cutting emissions and achieving energy efficiency in the United Kingdom. The Climate Change Agreements entails conventions of the government with the energy intensive industries. Other strategies that the government has established to reduce emission of green house gases such as carbon emission include; carbon capture and storage, carbon offsetting, carbon valuation, carbon neutrality, climate change levy, climate change policy and regulations and European Union emission trading scheme (Miller 2008, p.150). Application of Issues to Property and Construction Industries Energy conservation should be enhanced in different areas where carbon could be extremely emitted. The greatest carbon emitted, could be due to burning of fossil fuel to generate electricity. Electricity in the United Kingdom could be c ommonly used in industries, construction, residential as well as transportation sector (Ellerman 2010, p.30). Conservation of Energy in Property Energy consumed in homes should be conserved for sustainability. This entails efficiency use of energy in a manner that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. This need may comprise of using energy for lighting, heating homes, cooling and use of appliance especially those powered by electricity (Cline 2002 p.76). Energy could be used for heating homes especially during winter and cooling during summer. In United Kingdom, energy conservation could be enhanced by the establishment of Energy Saving Trust. Its mandate is to examine tips and advice on how one can reduce the energy bills as well check reduced carbon emission to the atmosphere. It also provides guidance on products that meets the criterion of energy efficiency and add label for easy access during shopping (Lern er, 2008 p.32). a) Heating On heating and hot water in homes, the trust provides tips to for energy efficiency use such as understanding the heating system. The UK governments have ensured that all homes use electric storage heater or the boiler and radiator. The electric storage heater could be discouraged due to its deep emission of carbon. It heats up water during at night when electricity is off-peak and at lower cost. Use of central heating could be highly regarded by the UK government