Tucson regional strategies toward a more sustainable home

Abstract

Individuals approach the implementation of sustainable strategies at home depend on many factors, which include personal values and economic status. Questions concerning the viability of sustainable home building persist, even within the industry. Utilizing current research, observations, and personal interviews with industry experts, this study attempted to define a prescriptive list of sustainability strategies to the average resident of the Tucson region interested in becoming more energy-efficient. A hierarchy of strategies emerged, ranging from low to no cost implementation strategies to high cost remodels. A consensus was reached concerning the importance of thermal envelope integrity as well as the often- overlooked benefit of shading strategies on the east and west side of a home. Limitations of this study include the scope of energy savings in the residential sector versus societal consumption as a whole, notably within the transportation or industrial sectors.