Answer:
1a) The advantages of adding heat-conservation features to a building are as follows:
- Lower energy bills: Heat-conservation features can help reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool a building, resulting in lower energy bills.
- Improved comfort: These features can also help maintain a more consistent indoor temperature, making the building more comfortable for its occupants.
- Reduced environmental impact: By reducing energy consumption, heat-conservation features can also help reduce the building's carbon footprint and environmental impact.
1b) The following are some heat-conservation features and how they save energy:
- Insulation: Insulation helps keep the building warm in winter and cool in summer by reducing heat transfer through walls, ceilings, and floors. This reduces the need for heating and cooling systems and helps save energy.
- Energy-efficient windows: Energy-efficient windows have a low U-factor and a high Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC), which reduces heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, respectively. This also helps reduce the energy needed for heating and cooling.
- Air sealing: Air sealing helps prevent drafts and air leaks, which can cause heat loss or gain. By reducing air leaks, heating, and cooling systems can work more efficiently, saving energy.
2) We need to conserve energy for several reasons:
- Environmental impact: Most of our energy comes from burning fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. Conserving energy can help reduce our carbon footprint and limit our impact on the environment.
- Energy security: Conserving energy can also help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and increase our energy security.
- Economic benefits: Conserving energy can help reduce energy bills for individuals and businesses, and can also create jobs in energy efficiency industries.
- Sustainable future: Conserving energy is an important step towards building a more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations.