Should we ban heating altogether? Half of the world’s energy is used to heat buildings. Now, some have found a way to build houses that are warmed by the people inside them.
The house where the central heating is YOU
Should we ban heating altogether? Half of the world's energy is used to heat buildings. Now, some have found a way to build houses that are warmed by the people inside them.
What's happening?
Imagine the scene. You have just come home. It was raining outside. Your shoes are soaked!
All you want to do is have a hot chocolate and sit next to the warm radiator.
But you can't. Your home doesn't have a radiator. It doesn't have a fire. In fact, there is no heating at all!
This might not be such a crazy idea. Designers have found ways to build houses that do not need heating. They are called passive houses.
Find out more
A passive house has something called superinsulation. This means they have no spots where cold air might get out. Normal homes have cracks in windows. Doors might have a draught.
But not passive houses. They are sealed tight. This means the rooms get warm just from the warmth of our bodies.
Some people think all houses should be made into passive houses. Heating buildings uses half of the world's energy.
But other people say it will not work. Besides, humans have enjoyed coming together around a fire since the Stone Age. Having heating is built into us!
Should we ban heating altogether?
Yes! It would help us save the planet. Passive houses are a great idea. All new houses should be passive. And if we get cold, we can just put on a jumper!
No. Doing this will be very difficult. You cannot just build a passive house. It has to be made by people with lots of training. This makes them expensive. Only rich people will be happy. Everyone else will just have to live in freezing homes.