VINH_DOAN_Final
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George Brown College Canada *
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English
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Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Final Assessment: Reading & Critical Thinking Responses
Vinh Doan
George Brown College
COMM1007: College English
Professor Celine De Almeida
April 18, 2023
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Part One: Understanding Key Concepts
1.
The main idea of this article is to compare the differences between gas-fired heating
systems such as the traditional water boiler, compared to the new air-source heat
pumps. This point is further explored by comparing the CO2 emissions, costs, as well as
points that may stop home owners from switching to the air-source. The two authors are
Emmanuel Pothos and Lee White who are connected with the University of London as a
professor and research fellow, respectively. Emmanuel Pothos has actually had plans to
adopt the air-source heating systems to further validate his knowledge and experience in
the topic. Showing validity to their research and how the process can be seen through
the experiences that one of the authors has gone through. This article was written in
March of 2023, further proving that this is a current case that is relevant to the modern
day. The authors are able to state their points through 3 topics of ambiguity aversion,
loss aversion, and availability. By addressing each of these points, they are able to
explain the benefits, as well as main points of concern by also linking their points with
external sources for validation. The opening sentence, “burning gas is a common but
environmentally damaging way of heating our homes” (Pothos & White, 2023) shows the
reason for why the authors felt the need to write this article to promote a different way of
what has become so common in a household. Background knowledge on how each
heating system works is not important in understanding the underlying points that the
authors are trying to portray, as there is enough information regarding the main
differences between the systems, as well as supporting links that show where the
thought process came from to legitimacy to the information provided.
2.
The tone of this article is fairly neutral as both the authors are able to point out both
benefits and concerns regarding the debate between the new air-source heating system
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compared to the standard gas-fired heating system. They are able to source this article
with hard facts rather than giving their opinions on the matter. However, a small part that
shows that both the authors are learning towards inspiring others to take on the new
system is written in the title, “and how to encourage takeup” (Pothos & White, 2023). By
putting this in the title, it suggests that they are on the positive side of wanting to
promote a greener and renewable way of a heating solution. With the suggested title, it
can be seen that they are taking a stance on the problems that air-sourced systems
face, but they are able to point out ways that could sway the general public to consider a
switch to a more renewable way of heating. The added bonus of one of the authors,
Pothos, actually trying to plan for his personal lifestyle in trying out the new system also
shows the willing participation of wanting to promote this on a larger scale. Although
there are some disadvantages and concerns associated with the new system, each
concern is addressed in a way where there are ideas that could potentially solve the
issues that were brought up. By bringing up the concerns and addressing them, puts the
thought in the reader's head that there are solutions to this new system that can be fixed
in the future.
Part Two: Applying Critical Thinking
1.
In the city of Toronto, the behavioural biases that would affect most people is the loss
aversion. Toronto is already a fairly expensive city to live in. In this financial climate, the
majority of homeowners would be concerned mostly about the cost of such a system,
compared to the benefits it could provide. It would not be a matter of the intentions of
wanting to protect our non-renewable sources, but more so if an individual is truly able to
afford a system as such. In the article, the authors link to an external article in which
states that “more people are more sensitive to losses than gains” (Pothos & White,
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2023). This article explores the choices and values that the majority of people go
through when making a purchase regardless of their social stance. Many people will not
take the financial risk since there is no large individual gain, as
“enhances the value of
long shots and amplifies the aversiveness of a small chance of a severe loss”
(Kahneman & Taversky, 1984). As an HVAC or building renovation professional, it would
be important to address the concerns regarding any financial implications that switching
to such a system may cause. However, by outweighing its cost as a fraction of how
much it could impact the future should be the main selling point. Additionally, although
Toronto is financially driven, it is also a city that is slowly becoming an increasingly green
driven mindset that could help drive the addition of such a system. As more and more
homeowners begin to use an air-source system, word of mouth would also be a factor
which could help boost willingness to implement such a system.
2.
It is true that Pothos & White (2023) reveal that their government is providing a grant to
help customers make the switch to air-source heat pumps to try and make it more
worthwhile for them to make the switch. In a country like Canada, where being green is
important to many residents, it can be the right amount of push that individuals need in
order to make the jump from gas based heating to air-source heating. In a further study
linked by the article, it can be stated that there are five reasons why switching the heat
pump would be useful for customers, “reduce your energy bills, no VAT to pay on
installation, reduce your carbon footprint and combat climate change, save time and
storage space by stopping fuel deliveries, and get ahead of the curve” (Department for
Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, 2022). Through this news story directly from the
UK government, Canada can follow suit in reimbursing residents to go a cleaner way in
order to convince those who are still on the fence if they want to make the switch. In an
era where climate change is brought to the forefront and being broadcasted on the news
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daily, it would spark interest in many people of Canada to want to try to help make a
change for the environment. As more people start to change to air-source heating, it
would be easier to implement it across more people. Biases can be leveraged as stated
in the article where “the way people make decisions is often influenced by ‘biases’”
(Pothos & White, 2023). As neighbours see others use this system, they would have a
different outlook on it especially if there is a grant involved.
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References
Department for Business, E. & I. S. (2022, May 30).
Five reasons to get a heat pump
.
GOV.UK. Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/five-
reasons-to-get-a-heat-pump
Kahneman, D. (n.d.).
Choices, values, and frames
. American Psychological Association.
Retrieved April 15, 2023, from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1985-05780-001
Pothos, E., & White, L. (2023, March 21).
Why so few UK homes are installing air-source
heat pumps – and how to encourage takeup
. The Conversation. Retrieved April 15, 2023,
from https://theconversation.com/why-so-few-uk-homes-are-installing-air-source-heat-
pumps-and-how-to-encourage-takeup-201125
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