Bellante 1

Lauren Bellante
Ms. Gerardi/Mrs. Shepard
AP Environmental Science/ AP Literature
13 December 2010
Eco-Friendly Lessons from the 19th Century
How many planet Earths would it take to support humanity if
everybody lived the standard United States lifestyle? It is estimated that
human beings would need five more planets by the year 2030 due to the
consumption of natural resources, pollution of the earth and the production
of waste (Woo). In the 19th century, people lacked advanced, technological
resources, therefore they created a lifestyle that worked harmoniously with
nature. Because the earth cannot continue to support the increasing needs
of people today, Americans must backtrack to working with nature.
Americans can learn from the 19th century use of passive energy, renewable
energy and sustainable living to create a more eco-friendly and green
existence today.
The construction of the 19th century home was designed to use passive
energy, the natural energy that is directly harnessed to achieve a desired
goal. Homes were designed to maximize sources of lighting, heating and
ventilation since electricity was not accessible (S. E. Smith). According to
Baird Smith, a historic preservationist, this made the houses of the 19th
century more energy efficient than todays modern construction. The
placement of windows, rooms and materials used were thoughtfully planned
with functionality in mind.

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Rather than modern stationary windows, homes of the 19th century had
operable windows, allowing daylight and fresh air circulation. Windows were
only installed where they could effectively produce benefit. The number of
windows in a home of the past was kept to the minimal amount needed to
provide maximum light and ventilation. While modern homes can have up
to 100% of windows in a wall, homes of the past had a low ratio (20% or less)
of glass to wall. A low ratio is better in conserving energy. In addition, to
minimize the heat gain or loss from windows, 19th century homes included
interior or exterior shutters, blinds, curtains and awnings (Smith). A common
technology that accompanied windows was pocket shutters, built to slide into
a pocket behind the plaster wall. Pocket shutters were used to protect
occupants from cold drafts serving as insulation and retaining heat. They not
only provided comfort in the scorching weather, but also protected valuables
from sun damage (Resources for Old Home Owners). With properly
designed windows and accessories, homes of today can be comfortable yearround.
In todays home construction, architects can learn from 19th century
homes by creating home designs and choosing materials according to
climate. For example, in the warmer conditions of the United States, 19th
century homes were designed to minimize the heat gain from the sun. They
were accompanied with exterior balconies, porches, wide roof overhangs,
awnings and shade trees. Living space was actually on the second floor,
compared to many homes today, to capture natural breezes and escape the

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intense heat from the earths surface. Wide, long hallways with doors at
either end encouraged ventilation and larger rooms with high ceilings were
effective in directing air-movement. . Houses were often painted light colors
to reflect sun light, leading to cooler interior temperatures. Placement of the
house was even thought out; builders took note of prevailing winds and the
sun to place the house accordingly (Gromiko and London).
People in cooler climates of the United States also applied passive
energy design but needed to maximize ways to maintain heat. First, using
heavy masonry walls reduced winter heat loss in the home. This form of
insulation was an imperative aspect in energy conservation. These heavy
walls have high thermal mass, which allowed the home to store the heat
generated during the day so that it could slowly be released after the sun
set. High thermal mass also helped keep the home cool in the summer. 19 th
century homebuilders also used passive energy application by minimizing
the number and size of windows. Also, dark paint for interior and exterior
walls was an effort to retain heat (Gromiko and London). Homebuilders
today can construct more energy efficient homes by applying the passive
energy techniques found in 19th century home design and construction.
While passive energy served as the major source of energy for the 19th
century American home, alternate energy sources were being invented
which would change homes across the country. During the 19th century,
technology was developed so that people could use renewable energy in
their homes. The use of biomass (wood), solar and wind energy helped to

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improve the lives of 19th century Americans; allowing them to heat their
homes and water, and have internal access to water and electricity. Various
technologies were powered by these renewable energy sources, serving as a
lesson for conservation today.
In the 19th century, wood or biomass, a renewable energy source, was
the primary fuel for heating a home. Today, biomass is only about three
percent of the energy Americans use. According to Martin Schweghardt,
Many people dont realize that wood is a green source of heat. For one thing,
wood is from a renewable source [] Wood is considered carbon neutral
because trees convert carbon dioxide in the air into oxygen throughout their
growth period and this balances out the amount of carbon dioxide returned
back to nature when wood is burned(qtd. in Eaton). One invention of the
period, the Rumford fireplace, is actually more energy efficient than the
traditional fireplaces in many modern homes. Benjamin Thompson (Count
Rumford) believed the only useful heat generated by a fireplace was radiant
heat. Rumford created a fireplace that had a large, wide, and tall opening
with a shallow width that widely splattered covings and jambs to reflect a
significant amount of radiant heat into the room, rather than loosing the
fires heat up the chimney. To prevent the fireplaces from smoking, Rumfords
understanding of fluid dynamics allowed him to create a rounded breast to
prevent the smoke from naturally rising up the chimney (Buckley). Rumfords
fireplace is superior to traditional fireplaces because it wastes less heat in
the process of heating a space and can be easily installed in todays homes.

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The burning of biomass in the Rumford fireplace is a green additional source
of heat that we can use today, reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere.
To heat water, 19th century people used the solar water heating
method, which in todays world is an environmentally friendly way to reduce
energy bills and the consumption of non-renewable resources. In 1891,
American plumbing and heating manufacturer, Clarence Kemp, put a blackpainted water tank inside a glass-covered box. While the bottom of the box
heated, the colder water inside of the tank absorbed the heat and became
hot enough to be used for bathing or dishwashing. Kemps the Climax
became the first commercial solar water heater. In current times, more
efficient versions of Kemps invention are available and can be used in areas
where solar power generates entire homes, such as California. Residential
solar water heaters can provide as much as 85% of a homes hot water
needs. Adapting aged solar water heating methods can significantly cut back
on energy used to homes today (Perlin).
In addition to solar energy, wind was commonly used as a power
source. In 1854, Daniel Halladay invented the first commercially successful
windmill. The self-governing design, allowed the large device to
automatically turn to face changing wind directions and control its own
speed of operation (Baker). The initial purpose of Halladays innovative
design was to pump water for farmers and stock raisers, but its use soon
became prevalent in homes. Windmill power pumped water to receptacles on

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the roof top then to indoor piping and finally to kitchen faucets were water
became accessible (Plante 43). Later, in 1890, Charles F. Brush developed
the first windmill capable of generating electricity. Although The United
States has the capability to use wind to generate mass amounts of energy,
merely 2% of our energy source comes from clean, cheap wind (Wind
Energy).
Part of becoming green is not only becoming more energy efficient,
but also conserving our natural resources. 19th century people learned from
the past and used a similar water catching system found in Ancient Rome.
The cistern was an underground water storage tank usually lined with brick
or tile. The roof was used as a rain collection surface; gutters and
downspouts would then deliver the water to the cistern. When needed, the
water was delivered with a hand-pump. The water was used for washing
clothes, cleaning and watering plants. Modern home developers can learn
from cisterns to create a more advanced system, which could filter rainwater
for pure drinking and cooking water (Northrop).
Changing our lifestyle to the more sustainable way of the 19th century
people would not only save money, but contribute to a healthier style of
living on the Earth. In the late 1800s, the average American family generated
a grocery bags worth of trash per year. Currently, the average American
individual generates approximately five pounds of trash per day (Ten Tips
for Sustainable Living). For one year, 1,825 pounds of waste are produced,
just by one person. To reduce our waste production, modern consumers can

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buy products in bulk to eliminate unnecessary packaging. In addition, 19th
century people grew all of their own food for consumption. In modern times,
people purchase their food from franchise supermarkets supporting the onefifth of all petroleum used in the United States. (Hostetler). Buying local food
can conserve large amounts of energy used in both the packaging and
shipping food and other goods. To conserve even more, planting a small
vegetable garden can further curtail the emission of harmful greenhouse
gases into the atmosphere. Furthermore, the 19th century people used the
method of composting: recycling organic materials like kitchen scraps and
yard waste by turning it into fertilizer. Backyard composting saves energy by
reducing the amount of garbage that needs to be hauled to landfills.
Composting also reduces methane emissions, which contribute to global
warming. (How Compost is Made). Not only does composting reduce the
amount of waste clogging landfills, but also saves great amounts of water. By
replacing half the soil with compost, water bills would be halved. Compost
increases the soils holding capacity up to 50%, allowing the soil to absorb
the water faster with less compaction when it rains. In the larger aspect,
composting may seem trivial, but in fact it reduces about 30% of waste put
into landfills (Lockhart). It is evident that the 19th century people lived a more
sustainable lifestyle, which is the ideal model for our society today.
In conclusion, learning from the 19th century people proves to be a
valid method of creating an eco-friendly way of life today. Through the use
of passive and renewable energy and sustainable living, 19th century

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Americans were able to have a green way of life. Life in the 19th century
was certainly more difficult and less comfortable than it is today so it would
be unrealistic to completely return to their ways. However, what Americans
can do is build on the ideas of the past. We need to invest in the
development of alternative energy, such as biomass, solar, and wind. Then,
build more energy efficient homes that use modern passive energy
techniques and conserve our natural resources. It is imperative that we
protect our environment not only for today, but also for future generations.
As Marya Mannes once said, The earth we abuse and the living things we
kill will, in the end, take their revenge; for in exploiting their presence we are
diminishing our future.

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Works Cited
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Baker, T. Lindsey. "Brief History of Windmills in the New World." Windmillers
Gazette.
Web. 6 Dec. 2010.
Buckley, Jim. "Rumford: Like It Used To Be." Rumford Fireplaces. Web. 29 Nov.
2010.
Eaton, Penny. "Clean Burning Fireplaces. (HOMES GOING GREEN) Entrepreneur.com."
Business & Small Business. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.
Gromiko, Nick, and Rob London. "Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Historic
Buildings."
Inspecting the World. Web. 2 Dec. 2010.
Hostetler, Mark. "Environmental Health - Living Green - UF/IFAS Extension."
Living Green
IFAS Extension. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

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"How Compost Is Made - Material, Used, Processing, Parts, Components,
Machine, Raw How
Materials, The Manufacturing Process of Compost, Quality Control,
Harmful Materials." Products Are Made. Web. 3 Dec. 2010.
Lockhart, Lois H. "Why Make Compost?" Tuscan Organic Gardeners. Web. 3
Dec. 2010.
Northrop, Thomas B. "Go Green With Water." Free Article Directory | Submit
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Dec. 2010.

Smith, Baird M. "Preservation Brief 3: Conserving Energy in Historic

Buildings." U.S.

National Park Service - Experience Your America. Web. 04

Dec. 2010.
Smith, S. E. "What Is Passive Energy?" WiseGEEK: Clear Answers for Common
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Web. 3 Dec. 2010.

Perlin, John. "Workhorse of the Solar Industry." Smart Journalism. Real

Solutions. MillerMcCune. Web. 9 Dec. 2010.
Plante, Ellen M. The Early Victorian Kitchen. The American Kitchen 1700 to
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New York: Facts on File Inc, 1995. Print.
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Hampshire, Nh. Web.

04 Dec. 2010.

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"Ten Tips for Sustainable Living." HubPages. Web. 11 Dec. 2010.
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Woo, Calvin. "How Much Human Life Can Planet Earth Sustain?" Go Green,
Live Green |
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