Personal Energy Audit and Report
Introduction
Environmental science focuses a lot on people's consumption and it's effect on our environment and ecosystems. This is relevant in our consumer based society of the modern day. Therefore, it was important to understand how much energy my household consumed and what this meant for the environment. By using data collected over the course of 10 days I was able to identify interesting trends on my home's energy consumption and get an idea of what kind of usage my household has, and how that correlated to weather, number of occupants, and appliance usage.
Audit
Introduction
Environmental science focuses a lot on people's consumption and it's effect on our environment and ecosystems. This is relevant in our consumer based society of the modern day. Therefore, it was important to understand how much energy my household consumed and what this meant for the environment. By using data collected over the course of 10 days I was able to identify interesting trends on my home's energy consumption and get an idea of what kind of usage my household has, and how that correlated to weather, number of occupants, and appliance usage.
Audit
Calculating Monthly Energy Consumption:
1. Average daily cost for electricity in house: (data obtained from February) $3.53 daily
2. Average out the cost per kWh: 10.3 (in cents)
3. My local power utility generates electricity through the Harris nuclear plant.
4. Stove and dryer, 43.78 kg/kWh
1. Average daily cost for electricity in house: (data obtained from February) $3.53 daily
2. Average out the cost per kWh: 10.3 (in cents)
3. My local power utility generates electricity through the Harris nuclear plant.
4. Stove and dryer, 43.78 kg/kWh
a. Fiber glass insulation, with R-29 roofing, R-25 flooring, and R-18 for walls.
b. We have a south-facing house, and have a lot of shade in the backyard provided by a large number of very tall deciduous trees that shadow that side of the house.
c. We have a roof of black shingles, at least 6 years old.
d. Poor air circulation in the attic, with insulation lining some portions and a few windows.
e. Very tight windows and most doors are tight. However, the back door is old wood and lets in a slight draft.
f. The color is a dark grey and therefore absorbs heat.
Conclusion
Through this audit, I have learned that my home, despite the limited occupants, consumes a lot of energy and gas. Throughout the data collection I began to think more about what appliances and lights I use on a regular basis without thinking about the environmental effects my home may be having. After starting this lab, I became more conscious of my usage and wanted to limit it. I connected the plugs in my room to one power cord which I turn off when I'm not in the room. This way, I can make sure I'm not forgetting to turn off certain appliances and wasting energy. I also went into my sibling's bedrooms (which they no longer live in) and unplugged anything that is unused. Despite these being small things, I felt better knowing that there was less needless consumption going on. On further improvement, I'd like to focus on air conditioning throughout the summer and ways my home can rely on it less. Cutting it down when we are absent from the house or not occupying a floor would not only limit out energy uses and cut down on nuclear power plant usage, but it would also save money on our monthly bill. I've also had discussions with my dad about solar panels, which he has expressed interest in on several occasions. According to dasolar.com, for North Carolina, "homeowners who buy and install renewable energy systems are granted a state tax credit." I found out that he researched the price they would cost and compared it to the tax credit he'd receive and the projected money he would save. Although the projected savings and tax credit did not totally make up for the expense, it would raise the value of the house and be an environmentally beneficial investment. Now knowing the high energy consumption my family has, integrating (see image below) solar panels into our home would be a fantastic way to cut the cost on the environment.
b. We have a south-facing house, and have a lot of shade in the backyard provided by a large number of very tall deciduous trees that shadow that side of the house.
c. We have a roof of black shingles, at least 6 years old.
d. Poor air circulation in the attic, with insulation lining some portions and a few windows.
e. Very tight windows and most doors are tight. However, the back door is old wood and lets in a slight draft.
f. The color is a dark grey and therefore absorbs heat.
Conclusion
Through this audit, I have learned that my home, despite the limited occupants, consumes a lot of energy and gas. Throughout the data collection I began to think more about what appliances and lights I use on a regular basis without thinking about the environmental effects my home may be having. After starting this lab, I became more conscious of my usage and wanted to limit it. I connected the plugs in my room to one power cord which I turn off when I'm not in the room. This way, I can make sure I'm not forgetting to turn off certain appliances and wasting energy. I also went into my sibling's bedrooms (which they no longer live in) and unplugged anything that is unused. Despite these being small things, I felt better knowing that there was less needless consumption going on. On further improvement, I'd like to focus on air conditioning throughout the summer and ways my home can rely on it less. Cutting it down when we are absent from the house or not occupying a floor would not only limit out energy uses and cut down on nuclear power plant usage, but it would also save money on our monthly bill. I've also had discussions with my dad about solar panels, which he has expressed interest in on several occasions. According to dasolar.com, for North Carolina, "homeowners who buy and install renewable energy systems are granted a state tax credit." I found out that he researched the price they would cost and compared it to the tax credit he'd receive and the projected money he would save. Although the projected savings and tax credit did not totally make up for the expense, it would raise the value of the house and be an environmentally beneficial investment. Now knowing the high energy consumption my family has, integrating (see image below) solar panels into our home would be a fantastic way to cut the cost on the environment.
Citations
"North Carolina - Energy Tax Credit, Solar Rebates, Incentives." North Carolina Energy Tax Credit, Rebates, Grants for Solar, Wind and Geothermal. Dasolar.com, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2015.
"North Carolina - Energy Tax Credit, Solar Rebates, Incentives." North Carolina Energy Tax Credit, Rebates, Grants for Solar, Wind and Geothermal. Dasolar.com, n.d. Web. 09 Apr. 2015.