Today, residences account for 20% of global CO2 emissions, a sobering reminder that we still have a long way to go to meet our climate commitments.
To achieve our Net-Zero target, we must enlist the support of homebuilders, mortgage lenders, homeowners, and residents, as well as supply them with the necessary technology and solutions to combat climate change.
As more smart home gadgets – from heating to cooking to personal transportation – are powered by renewable electricity, we have a chance to decarbonize our homes at a rapid rate without disrupting our digital and connected lifestyles. This is now achievable because to cutting-edge technology and creativity, with good, long-term change beginning at home.
The emphasis on climate change and sustainability is increasingly pervasive among homeowners, housing builders, and policymakers. This is reflected in the UK government’s decision to require the installation of domestic electric vehicle charging stations beginning in 2022.
Obstacles that must be faced by dwellings
The increased use of electric cars has the potential to quadruple home energy consumption, perhaps becoming one of the most significant developments since electricity was first extensively utilised. When electric heating and cooking are included, the domestic market will be seriously impacted. The moment has come to act. Households are predicted to be the single greatest consumer of power and the largest producer of CO2 emissions by 2050, accounting for 34% of total emissions.
According to our Powering Change survey, 50 percent of Brits believe it is crucial to make their house carbon neutral during their lifetime, and 66 percent value sustainability when making home modifications. The vast majority (84 percent) are also concerned about quickly rising energy expenditures if global temperatures rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
There are currently 30.1 million homes in the UK and Ireland, and we will need to retrofit 26.5 million of them to meet targets. Our present rate of advancement is just too sluggish. Currently, around 12% of houses worldwide are smart – yet smart does not imply sustainable. While the number of smart gadgets in our homes has expanded substantially, the planet’s well-being has not. Brits are 50% more likely to possess a voice assistant than a smart thermostat, with only 51% seeing smart home controls as crucial.
Homes that are smarter and more sustainable are more powerful
Governments are working to assure energy supply dependability and a greener energy mix. Homebuilders are seeking for methods to make smart and sustainable houses a significant differentiator, while businesses aim to provide customers with simple and intuitive solutions to help them lead climate change action from the comfort of their own homes.
Smart, sustainable house investments benefit both the builder and the owner or tenant. As a direct result of smart building technology, we generally observe a 30% decrease in energy use and a corresponding reduction in operational expenses. In the residential sector, better performing buildings can boost selling value by up to 14%. For residential properties, the corresponding increases in rental prices range from +1.4 percent to +5.2 percent.
Smarter and more sustainable houses are not only necessary for meeting our Net-Zero ambitions, but they also provide financial benefits.
Coming home — achieving net zero energy consumption through energy management
We all know that we need to do more to understand and regulate our energy use through technology – from plugs and sockets to electric ovens and EVs – but it may be tough to know where to begin.
Smart heating systems provide the groundwork for a more sustainable future. They let customers to turn on or off heating via a smartphone app, heat only particular rooms, and employ self-learning capabilities to save energy.
Multizone smart heating reduces energy expenses, making houses more pleasant for inhabitants, and promotes the sustainability of a property. It’s a quick and easy method to start transitioning to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
To meet our Net-Zero ambitions, there has to be a greater emphasis on upgrading existing building stock with incentives — saving energy, alleviating fuel poverty, and making homes more sustainable. We must also develop minimally acceptable criteria for all buildings, whether ancient and new. Finally, we must identify innovative ways to offer sustainability by using current digital and electric technologies.
