48
3.3.3 Household Energy Consumption Is Consolidated
into Electricity
Looking at energy consumption in the household sector by energy source, coal
accounted for the largest proportion in 1965, followed by electricity, kerosene, and
gas. In the 1970s, the proportion of coal used for heating, boiling, and cooking
sharply decreased as lifestyles became modernized. In place of that, the ratio of
kerosene increased significantly. The proportion of electricity and gas also increased.
In 2014, the proportion of kerosene decreased, and electricity came to account
for the majority. The means to get warm has changed significantly from stoves that
directly burn coal and oil to heating appliances that use electricity such as hot carpets and air conditioners. Even in the kitchen, there are more households that use IH
cooking heaters, rather than gas.
When comparing heating efficiency from fossil resource consumption, air conditioners have the highest efficiency. Heat pump technology is used for air conditioners. The mechanism will be described later in detail, but the heat pump can draw
heat from the outside up to six times the electricity consumed and supply it to the
room. Since the conversion efficiency from oil to electricity is about 40%, it has a
heating effect that is more than twice the heat from combustion of petroleum.
Electric heaters are heating devices that similarly use electricity, but they are less
efficient than oil stoves. It is because electricity has already abandoned 60% of fossil resources in the power plant in the form of heat, and the remaining 40% will be
directly turned into heat indoors. A heat pump also converts electricity to heat, but
since it pumps up heat many times than that, it is highly efficient. Moreover, the air
conditioner has a lower risk of fire than the oil stove, and the indoor air is not going
to be polluted, so it is convenient for the consumer.
The energy used in the household sector will continue to increase in the future.
Electricity can be made from petroleum or gas, or it can be made from renewable
energy such as solar or wind power. Promotion of low carbonization in the household
and business sectors shall be considered based on the premise that the energy to be
used is consolidated into electricity.
3.3.4 Eco Houses Are Also Friendly to Their Occupants
Japan has created various energy-saving products and pursued energy efficiency,
but energy saving measures have not sufficiently advanced for buildings. Even with
existing buildings, the introduction of double glazing and heat insulation enhances
thermal insulation property and air tightness, and the efficiency of energy use is
dramatically improved. Zero-energy housing that is comfortable without introducing energy from the outside is one ideal form.
3 Technology to Support Low-Carbon Society (Using Energy)
3.3.3 Household Energy Consumption Is Consolidated
into Electricity
Looking at energy consumption in the household sector by energy source, coal
accounted for the largest proportion in 1965, followed by electricity, kerosene, and
gas. In the 1970s, the proportion of coal used for heating, boiling, and cooking
sharply decreased as lifestyles became modernized. In place of that, the ratio of
kerosene increased significantly. The proportion of electricity and gas also increased.
In 2014, the proportion of kerosene decreased, and electricity came to account
for the majority. The means to get warm has changed significantly from stoves that
directly burn coal and oil to heating appliances that use electricity such as hot carpets and air conditioners. Even in the kitchen, there are more households that use IH
cooking heaters, rather than gas.
When comparing heating efficiency from fossil resource consumption, air conditioners have the highest efficiency. Heat pump technology is used for air conditioners. The mechanism will be described later in detail, but the heat pump can draw
heat from the outside up to six times the electricity consumed and supply it to the
room. Since the conversion efficiency from oil to electricity is about 40%, it has a
heating effect that is more than twice the heat from combustion of petroleum.
Electric heaters are heating devices that similarly use electricity, but they are less
efficient than oil stoves. It is because electricity has already abandoned 60% of fossil resources in the power plant in the form of heat, and the remaining 40% will be
directly turned into heat indoors. A heat pump also converts electricity to heat, but
since it pumps up heat many times than that, it is highly efficient. Moreover, the air
conditioner has a lower risk of fire than the oil stove, and the indoor air is not going
to be polluted, so it is convenient for the consumer.
The energy used in the household sector will continue to increase in the future.
Electricity can be made from petroleum or gas, or it can be made from renewable
energy such as solar or wind power. Promotion of low carbonization in the household
and business sectors shall be considered based on the premise that the energy to be
used is consolidated into electricity.
3.3.4 Eco Houses Are Also Friendly to Their Occupants
Japan has created various energy-saving products and pursued energy efficiency,
but energy saving measures have not sufficiently advanced for buildings. Even with
existing buildings, the introduction of double glazing and heat insulation enhances
thermal insulation property and air tightness, and the efficiency of energy use is
dramatically improved. Zero-energy housing that is comfortable without introducing energy from the outside is one ideal form.
3 Technology to Support Low-Carbon Society (Using Energy)