Analysis of Electricity Consumption
A. Reading and Recording Electricity Consumption:
Procedure:
1. Read the electric meter at the same time every day for a 10-day period and record the values.
2. Make daily notes on the patterns of electricity use in your household, particularly the use of large appliances.
3. Note the usual settings for the air conditioner and water heater, the amount of cooking done, the type of lights used, the amount of laundry done, and so forth.
4. Make notes on aspects of the weather that may affect heating or cooling. Include cloud cover and high and low temperature readings for that day. Report local temperature readings and thermostat settings in degrees Celsius.
2. Make daily notes on the patterns of electricity use in your household, particularly the use of large appliances.
3. Note the usual settings for the air conditioner and water heater, the amount of cooking done, the type of lights used, the amount of laundry done, and so forth.
4. Make notes on aspects of the weather that may affect heating or cooling. Include cloud cover and high and low temperature readings for that day. Report local temperature readings and thermostat settings in degrees Celsius.
B. Calculating Monthly Energy Consumption:
1. The average daily cost for electricity in my house based on the power bill is $3.49
2. After calculating the daily electricity usage (in Table 1), average out the cost per kWh. If it is indicated on your electricity bill, how does your estimate compare?
Estimation: 3.49 / 26.3 = .13 $0.13 per kWh
Energy Bill: 3.49 / 30 = .12 $0.12 per kWh
The estimate is one cent higher than the amount indicated by the electricity bill.
1. The average daily cost for electricity in my house based on the power bill is $3.49
2. After calculating the daily electricity usage (in Table 1), average out the cost per kWh. If it is indicated on your electricity bill, how does your estimate compare?
Estimation: 3.49 / 26.3 = .13 $0.13 per kWh
Energy Bill: 3.49 / 30 = .12 $0.12 per kWh
The estimate is one cent higher than the amount indicated by the electricity bill.
3. My local power utility uses coal to generate electricity in the area. By using coal, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are produced.
Carbon dioxide: 852 x .97 = 826.4 kg Carbon dioxide
Sulfur dioxide: 852 x .006 = 5.12 kg Sulfur dioxide
4. Nearly half of the electricity bill from the summertime shows an increase compared to the January/February bill because of increased temperatures resulting in more use of air conditioning.
5. Inspect and report on the following for your home:
a. There is insulation in all of the exterior walls, the attic, and the crawl space. The R-value of the insulation is R-19.
b. There is little to no shade provided by trees or shrubs.
c. The roof is in good condition. It is gray and composed of shingles.
d. The air circulation in the attic is conducted through a ridge vent.
e. The tightness of the fit for doors and windows is fair.
f. The color of the outer walls is a grayish-white, making it more reflective of heat.
g. Another feature that affects the dwelling's heat balance is double paned windows that help keep warm air inside and cold air outside.
Carbon dioxide: 852 x .97 = 826.4 kg Carbon dioxide
Sulfur dioxide: 852 x .006 = 5.12 kg Sulfur dioxide
4. Nearly half of the electricity bill from the summertime shows an increase compared to the January/February bill because of increased temperatures resulting in more use of air conditioning.
5. Inspect and report on the following for your home:
a. There is insulation in all of the exterior walls, the attic, and the crawl space. The R-value of the insulation is R-19.
b. There is little to no shade provided by trees or shrubs.
c. The roof is in good condition. It is gray and composed of shingles.
d. The air circulation in the attic is conducted through a ridge vent.
e. The tightness of the fit for doors and windows is fair.
f. The color of the outer walls is a grayish-white, making it more reflective of heat.
g. Another feature that affects the dwelling's heat balance is double paned windows that help keep warm air inside and cold air outside.
Discussion
After monitoring the electricity use in my home over a period of ten days, I realize that electricity use can be minimized easily by turning off lights and appliances that do not need to be running. Also, the amount of electricity used is dependent on how many people are in the house, the weather, the time of day, and the weather. Fortunately, the weather didn't fluctuate too much in the ten days so there was no excessive use of heating or air conditioning. By looking at the summer bill compared to the bill from January, it is evident that seasons have a role in how much electricity we use. We tend to use more heating during the winter and air conditioning during the summer. In my home, my family experienced higher electricity use on days when more people were home. Most of the time, the lights that were on were illuminating empty rooms. By consciously using electricity only when needed and reducing the use of large appliances like washers and dryers to twice a week, my home could reduce the amount of the electricity bill. By using more electricity, the use inside my house is contributing to the production of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Being more efficient by turning off lights and keeping the thermostat at a constant level can help the environment and reduce the amount my parents pay for electricity.
General Analysis & Conclusions
Accuracy of Results: The thermostat setting in my house stayed at the same temperature the entire ten days so the results were not representative of how much electricity may have been used if the weather had been more changing. Also, the average daily use of electricity determined from the meter readings was only collected from 9 days of data, while the electricity bill shows the average daily use based on the collection of 30 days of electricity use.
Application: Energy is an important part of our everyday lives and in order to ensure we have the luxury of electricity in the future, we must begin to improve the way we use it. Reduction of energy use can save you money as well as help reduce environmental pollution. The first step to improving our use of energy is by reducing the amount we use. This can be done by purchasing energy efficient light bulbs and appliances that use less electricity but provide the same benefit as those that use more kilo wattage. Electricity use can be reduced by providing insulation for your home or using house designs similar to passive solar heating to obtain cleaner electricity.
Citation: "Reducing Your Electricity Use." Energy.gov. Energy.gov, 15 July 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.
Application: Energy is an important part of our everyday lives and in order to ensure we have the luxury of electricity in the future, we must begin to improve the way we use it. Reduction of energy use can save you money as well as help reduce environmental pollution. The first step to improving our use of energy is by reducing the amount we use. This can be done by purchasing energy efficient light bulbs and appliances that use less electricity but provide the same benefit as those that use more kilo wattage. Electricity use can be reduced by providing insulation for your home or using house designs similar to passive solar heating to obtain cleaner electricity.
Citation: "Reducing Your Electricity Use." Energy.gov. Energy.gov, 15 July 2012. Web. 20 Mar. 2013.