Building Facilities (CIVG 1026) 2019 2T

Due date: 16-october-2019

Name: Jairo Zavala Flores
Homework 1

1. Read the attached document tilted “ASTM E2432-05 Standard Guide for General
Principles of Sustainability Relative to Buildings” and answer the following questions.
If you want to use references, please cite them properly.
a. What are the most important components of the concept of “sustainable
development”?
In the sustainable development we can identify three important components which
are economic, social and environmental. These aspects should be used as the basis
for the sustainable development, that is, to use and care for available resources,
knowing that future generations will need them as well.

b. In your opinion, would it be possible to get what is defined as sustainable

development? Include evidence in your arguments
I think sustainable development is a utopia in the current era, but in the future
(probably far away) it can be achieved. At present, many are the countries that claim
to be in favor of sustainability, but in reality, their economic and social policies do
not show it, because they prioritize economic growth rather than ecological care,
which makes them grow economically but suffer in environmental and social aspects.
An example of this is China, whose economy has increased significantly in recent
years, but has also become “the world champion of pollution, and the first to suffer
the social and environmental consequences of the huge imbalance on which its
economy is based” (Ribera, 2018).
As I said before, yes, it is possible, but the process to achieve it will require great
worldwide training and great predisposition by world leaders who can achieve this
change.

c. Describe the main challenges required in human behavior to reach sustainable

development
I think that the most important challenge, as well as the most difficult to achieve in
order to achieve sustainable development, is to raise awareness in people,

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Building Facilities (CIVG 1026) 2019 2T
Due date: 16-october-2019
Name: Jairo Zavala Flores
Homework 1
entrepreneurs, merchants, scientists, rulers, teachers, students, children. It is
necessary to let them know the current environmental situation of the planet, and
what could happen in the future if we do not regulate our consumption. This is
difficult, because the human by nature does not think about the consequences of his
actions until he sees them, and for that reason they do not worry about what could
happen in the future, but it is necessary to look for techniques and methodologies
that allow changing people's thinking, until arriving at a society that sees for the well-
being, both of the current generation, and of future generations.

d. Do you consider that your home town or Guayaquil must seriously consider
sustainable development? Explain your reasons.
Of course, Guayaquil is one of the three most important cities in Ecuador and
therefore, it must be an example for other cities on how sustainable development
should be achieved. Several years ago, the city has taken this approach as a very
important point and a short-term goal. This has allowed to regulate aspects such as
construction, economy, industrialization, etc. You can even notice the change that
has taken place in educational institutions, where very early, it is taught to be careful
with the environment and to respect the resources we have available.

e. Describe the main obstacles your home town or Guayaquil face to reach sustainable
development.
I think that one of the main obstacles facing the city to achieve this goal is the
excessive pollution that exists due to cars. In the city it is evident how the streets are
increasingly traveled by vehicles, generating great environmental and acoustic
pollution. Although solutions such as the improvement of public transport or the
implementation of bicycle rides have been generated, this problem has not greatly
diminished. People know that this is generating problems such as climate change and
environmental pollution, however, they prefer the comfort of traveling in their own
car, rather than resorting to alternative solutions that reduce this problem.

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Building Facilities (CIVG 1026) 2019 2T
Due date: 16-october-2019
Name: Jairo Zavala Flores
Homework 1
2. Comment about some of the technical problems your house appliances currently have
and how you can address those issues based on local and international standards
In my house, the appliance that presents a serious problem is the washing machine, it is not
centrifuged, therefore the clothes come out completely wet. This causes discomfort, as it is
necessary to squeeze the clothes with your hands which causes a waste of time. In Ecuador,
this type of appliances is regulated by the NTE INEN 2659: 2013 standard "APPLIANCES
AND SIMILAR EQUIPMENT. ELECTRICAL CLOTHING WASHERS. TEST
METHODS FOR ENERGY CONSUMPTION, WATER CONSUMPTION AND
VOLUMETRIC CAPACITY.
Internationally, the rules governing these appliances are MEXICAN OFFICIAL
STANDARD NOM-005-JAN-2010, ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF ELECTRODOMESTIC
CLOTHING WASHERS. LIMITS, TESTING METHOD AND LABELING.

3. The tool http://myfootprint.org/en/ allows to estimate your ecological footprint, or how

many “earths” are required for somebody that has your same lifestyle. Please fill in the
inquiry and show the results (number of earths) and on which consumption category
you obtained the largest score. Comment your results in two sentences

The result indicates that if all people follow a lifestyle like mine, 1.12 lands would be needed
for their survival, which is not eco-friendly at all.
My largest score was in the category of food footprint, because I usually eat meat and dairy
almost every day of the week, and buy food at local stores, without having a small garden
or anything similar.

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Building Facilities (CIVG 1026) 2019 2T
Due date: 16-october-2019
Name: Jairo Zavala Flores
Homework 1
4. Do some research about the existing policies and economic incentives on the production
of electric energy from renewable sources in your area, both for residential and
commercial building
In Ecuador, thanks to large investments in renewable energy production, fossil fuel
consumption has been replaced by 51.78% in renewable energy production, which represents
13,638.89 gigawatt hours (GWh) distributed in benefit of Ecuadorian society.
Residential
Renova Plan
As regards the residential sector, the RENOVA plan is being implemented, which
contemplates the replacement of inefficient appliances (high energy consumption) with new
and efficient nationally manufactured equipment. A reduction of residential consumption of
47 GWh was estimated for 2013, until it was completed with its implementation in 2016
where there would be a reduction of residential consumption of 216 GWh.
Air conditioning efficiency plan
One of the critical problems in the coastal region is the clandestine connection of inefficient
artifacts in the winter season, which is reflected with a substantial increase in the non-
technical losses of the distribution companies. One of the causes for the occurrence of this
type of illicit is that the artifacts are highly inefficient, so connecting it correctly with the
proper measurement causes high billing. For this reason, starting in 2015, with the
experiences of implementing the RENOVA plan, a similar program is implemented with air
conditioning equipment.
Efficient lighting
Through COMEX Resolution, the suspension was applied from January 2010, to the import
of incandescent bulbs for residential use, between the ranges of 25 to 100 W, aware that the
main use of energy in the residential sector is lighting .
As a complement to this type of measures in the field of energy efficiency, efficient lighting
should be carried out with new technologies such as LED lamps, which could reduce
consumption by 50% in that already obtained with the spotlight replacement program savers
Commercial
Commercial customers efficiency plan

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Building Facilities (CIVG 1026) 2019 2T
Due date: 16-october-2019
Name: Jairo Zavala Flores
Homework 1
This plan is aimed at implementing efficiency measures in public buildings and units, for this
it will begin with the program in the service area of Empresa Eléctrica Quito SA, which has
a special project unit for studies and projects related to energy efficiency.
Incentives
From 2014, the possibility of giving incentives such as reduction of property taxes,
preferential rates to customers whose building is classified as Type A (efficient in their energy
consumption) should be analyzed between the electricity sector, the productive sector and the
municipalities. To become beneficiaries of this type of tariff, commercial customers whose
consumption exceeds 2,000 kWh / month must submit an energy audit every two years,
certifying that measures have been taken to optimize consumption.
Lighting efficiency plan
Within the consumption of the commercial sector, lighting represents between 35% and 50%
of energy consumption, depending on the type of economic activity with which it is linked.
Actions aimed at lighting efficiency should promote the use of efficient lamps and luminaires,
use of daylight, among others.

Bibliography
Agencia de Regulación y Control de Electricidad. (2015). Ecuador posee un 51,78% de
energía renovable. Quito.

CONELEC. (2013). Plan Maestro de Electrificación 2013-2022. Aspectos de Sustentabilidad y

Sostenibilidad Ambiental y Social. Advantlogic Ecuador S.A.

INSTITUTO ECUATORIANO DE NORMALIZACION. (2013). APARATOS ELECTRODOMESTICOS

Y SIMILARES. LAVADORAS ELÉCTRICAS DE ROPA. MÉTODOS DE ENSAYO PARA EL
CONSUMO DE ENERGÍA, EL CONSUMO DE AGUA Y LA CAPACIDAD VOLUMÉTRICA.
Quito.

Pedraza Hinojosa, E. (2010). NORMA OFICIAL MEXICANA NOM-005-ENER-2010, EFICIENCIA

ENERGETICA DE LAVADORAS DE ROPA ELECTRODOMESTICAS. LIMITES, METODO DE
PRUEBA Y ETIQUETADO. México, D.F.

Ribera, T. (25 de 01 de 2018). ¿Es posible el desarrollo sostenible? elPeriódico.

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Building Facilities (CIVG 1026) 2019 2T
Due date: 16-october-2019
Name: Jairo Zavala Flores
Homework 1