Often, when I stay in hotels and other short-term accommodation, I am confronted with a message in the bathroom. The latest variant of this reads:
Dear Guest,
Every day, millions of gallons of water are used to wash towels that have only been used once.
YOU MAKE THE CHOICE:
A towel on the rack means “I will use again.” A towel on the floor means “Please replace.”
Thank you for helping us conserve the Earth’s vital resources.
In the haste of going for breakfast, I think the towel I used was left beside the sink, indicating that I was not following either option. However, I felt that if the hotel can attempt to direct energy and water abuse in a clear direction, it should be my right to attempt to direct energy and resource use along the lines I advocate.
My #1 complaint is that people are combusting too much. So, I would like the hotel to explain to me what they are doing to reduce combustion? I would like them to list combustive energy sources such as: natural gas, gasoline, diesel and more, along with their PM 2.5 = fine particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm (micrometers) or less. This should be contrasted with their non-polluting energy usage from hydro-electric, solar and wind sources.
My #2 complaint is that people are making too much noise. In particular, it is the sound of vehicles (trucks, cars,motorcycles), as they navigate streets. In Halifax, Nova Scotia, more than many other places, I found the noise from building construction and demolition, particularly annoying. I appreciate a quiet world.
There are two areas where combustion can be reduced: the use of electric vehicles to replace fossil fuel vehicles and the use of heat pumps to reduce fossil fuel and firewood consumption. The use of a heat pumps instead of radiant electrical heating, will also reduce electrical consumption.
Transportation
The term conveyance here refers to a device used to transport something = the intentional movement of people and goods from one location to another. Modes of transport include air, land (rail and road), water, cable, pipelines and space. The field can be divided into infrastructure, vehicles, and operations. Yes, I am aware that bicycles are the most energy effective means of transporting people, and most goods. However, I am not looking for the most perfect solution, only something that is better than fossil fuels.
Electric Vehicles
We first looked at buying an electric vehicle in 2012. This was a Nissan Evalia = e-NV200 van, that could carry 5 passengers. The Evalia shared the same 80 kW / 254 N⋅m AC synchronous traction motor unit with the second-generation Leaf; the traction motor had been integrated as a unit with the battery control module and inverter. Although the lithium-ion battery had 48 modules and 24 kW/h capacity (both the same as the Nissan Leaf), it was repackaged physically to fit under the van’s load floor and within the wheelbase, where it formed part of the structural frame, boosting rigidity compared to the conventionally-powered NV200. It cost about NOK 300 k. With a range of only 117 km at the best of times, we ultimately decided against buying it. Instead, we bought a diesel powered Mazda 5.
After ten years, it was time to give up the Mazda, and acquire a new vehicle. At this time, there was no doubt in our collective minds that it would be electric. Initially, I thought we would end up with a Renault Kangoo or a Skoda Enyaq. The result was Buzz. Posts about this vehicle are linked here: one, two, three and four.
Recently, from a conservation perspective, the American/ Israeli war with Iran is having a positive effect in reducing the number of fossil-fueled vehicles. With excessive fuel prices, people are suddenly willing to adopt an EV. There is also increased interest in wind and solar energy production.
Heat Pumps
If people want to save electricity yet still obtain an appropriate temperature and humidity in their indoor environment, heat pumps, or HVAC = Heating, ventilation, air conditioning is the way to go.
A HVAC system is one which provides control over room temperature, humidity and overall air quality. Typically, these come in the form of heat pumps often = air conditioning units along with humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Sometimes they involve air cleaners or even furnaces. There are two approaches. To understand them, one will have to specify the volume of air being targeted. In a domestic situation, this is the space being occupied. In the first situation, air is drawn from that space, then warmed or cooled it before recirculating it back to that sane space. The other approach is to restrict the use of air from the domestic space to heat or cool outside air, and then to use this new air in the domestic area. From my prejudiced perspective, the second approach is to be preferred because one wants to avoid recycling contaminants from kitchens and bathrooms.
With a mini heat pump setup, multiple heat pumps are situated throughout a house, as opposed to a single unit. Typically, this sort of system features both outdoor and concealed indoor components positioned in different zones. Depending on the size of the building, you could have as few as two units ranging up to eight or more. An extra bonus with a mini-split heat pump system is that it is one of few HVAC options that doesn’t require ductwork, so any sort of disruptive installation is not necessary in existing homes.
When one looks at heat pumps, most are split into indoor and outdoor components. Typically, this style of split system will include an air conditioning component such as an air source heat pump on the outside of the domestic space, in addition to a fan/coil within it. Ducts are used to transport filtered air to different rooms.
There are also hybrid split systems similar to the above design, but where fossil fuel gases and electric power are used to heat space. This is especially important in cold climates especially at the coldest times of the year. The claimed rational is to reduce energy expenses. Hybrid systems use smart thermostats along with traditional ductwork. There are other approaches, including duct-free split systems, but these are normally used for commercial situations, not houses.
No discussion of the cost of a HVAC system will be provided here, because almost every reader¨s situation will involve multiple variants including: the cost of standard components inside and outside a building, the specific type of system used, the quantity of ductwork (if any), and operating efficiency. Labour costs will also vary widely. Perhaps the only generalization that can be expressed, is that it will cost less to replace an existing system that it will cost to install something new.
Benefits associated with HVAC systems include: improved indoor air quality, especially the filtering out of pollutants, moisture and allergens to provide a more healthy environment. The regular replacement of stale air with fresh outdoor air prevents the build-up of harmful substances, including mould spores and dust mites. This provides better respiratory health for occupants. HVAC systems retain comfortable/ consistent indoor temperatures year round. Close temperature control contributes to improved well-being. Modern HVAC systems are designed for energy efficiency, so resulting in reduced energy consumption, and reduced energy expenses.
One of the benefits of a modern HVAC system is that it allows the integration of smart home technology, including remote control of temperature and humidity levels. Settings can be scheduled, based on occupancy at specific times, yet they can also be adjusted as circumstances and whims dictate.
The fundamental problem with smart home products, is the lack of interoperability. Currently, products follow the operating standards of their makers, and are seldom integrated into anything beyond that level. This approach means that smart devices are needlessly complicated. Some would say, needlessly stupid.
American tech giants try to impose their own standards using voice assistants as a controlling layer. Unfortunately, there is no effective coordination between Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. However, the 2022 open source interoperability standard, Matter, is providing some level of interoperability between devices. As far as I am aware, 2026 brought version 1.5. Matter supports three connection technologies: LAN (Ethernet), WLAN (WiFi), and the radio protocol Thread. Thread offers little energy to send and receive, especially important for battery-powered devices such as motion detectors, radiator thermostats and door/window contacts. Thread is mesh-enabled, which means that devices establish a wireless connection with each other. Products connected to electrical power, such as lamps and adapter plugs, serve as repeaters to connect more distant devices that would otherwise lose contact.
Previously, Matter 1.4 and 1.4.1 specifications provided enhanced energy management and easier setup. It also updated the standard generally.
At Vangshylla, one household is relying on a geothermal heat pump system to provide energy. This is a young family who are intending to stay in this house for many years (they took it over from his grandfather, while his parents live about 1 km away.) This approach relies on underground pipework to circulate water that heats and cools as needed. Geothermal heat pumps are extremely energy efficient, using the earth’s soil’s natural temperature as part of the climate control process. This makes geothermal HVAC systems the most viable solution. The expected lifespan of a system is about 25 years without a need for replacement or significant repair. Geothermal heat pump systems require the most expensive initial investment.
With regards to disadvantages, the cost to fit the system from the off is more expensive than a conventional heat pump solution, and the included parts can require more tiresome maintenance. Also, some areas that experience especially cold winter climes might not be best suited to mini-split systems to retain a comfortable and consistent temperature on demand.
As a couple who has only bought one house, and with no intention of selling it, increasing property value has never been a priority. However, this may be something important for others.
For people interested in air-conditioning, a weblog post about the inventor of modern air conditioning in 1902, Willis Carrier, is scheduled to be published on 2026-11-26, the 150th anniversary of his birth.
