Personal Energy Audit
Report:
C. CO2 and SO2 emissions for the home:
-Electricity mainly provided by: coal
-Last month's electricity usage: 1053 kWh
-CO2 emissions: 1021.41 kg
-SO2 emissions: 6.138 kg
Compare a utility bill from a summer month with one for March or April. Estimate what amount of the summertime bill is due to air-conditioner use.
-March Bill: $119.89 August Bill: $310.52
At least $100 of the summer bill is probably due to AC. Everyone being home during the summer may also contribute because more electronics are used.
D. Description of dwelling:
-Electricity mainly provided by: coal
-Last month's electricity usage: 1053 kWh
-CO2 emissions: 1021.41 kg
-SO2 emissions: 6.138 kg
Compare a utility bill from a summer month with one for March or April. Estimate what amount of the summertime bill is due to air-conditioner use.
-March Bill: $119.89 August Bill: $310.52
At least $100 of the summer bill is probably due to AC. Everyone being home during the summer may also contribute because more electronics are used.
D. Description of dwelling:
a. The amount, location, and quality (type and R-value) of insulation:
-Located in attic and storage closets, 8.25 inches, R-30C.
b. The amount of shade provided by trees or shrubs:
-Almost no shade provided, especially on South side of house.
c. The condition, composition, and color of roof:
-Black asphalt, in good condition.
d. The air circulation in the attic:
-Good, operated by an attic fan.
e. The tightness of the fit for doors and windows:
-Windows are extremely tight, doors have bumper covers that help keep outside temperatures outside and inside temperatures inside.
f. The color of outer walls:
-Dark green-probably absorbs more heat than reflects it.
g. Any other features that may affect the dwelling's heat balance:
-The roof acts as an awning in the front of the house (Northeast side) which helps keep the first floor cool in the mornings.
-Located in attic and storage closets, 8.25 inches, R-30C.
b. The amount of shade provided by trees or shrubs:
-Almost no shade provided, especially on South side of house.
c. The condition, composition, and color of roof:
-Black asphalt, in good condition.
d. The air circulation in the attic:
-Good, operated by an attic fan.
e. The tightness of the fit for doors and windows:
-Windows are extremely tight, doors have bumper covers that help keep outside temperatures outside and inside temperatures inside.
f. The color of outer walls:
-Dark green-probably absorbs more heat than reflects it.
g. Any other features that may affect the dwelling's heat balance:
-The roof acts as an awning in the front of the house (Northeast side) which helps keep the first floor cool in the mornings.
Discussion:
Through the process of doing the personal energy audit for my home, I realized how easy it was to change the impacts we have on the environment and our wallets. Our energy usage decreased by almost fifteen kWh on the days that my mom and I were away, simply because the dishwasher, washer, and dryer were not used. We do own energy efficient large appliances, but we should probably find a way to use them less because they seem to be the largest suckers of energy. For example, hanging clothes out to dry and hand washing dishes would help at least a little bit.
Along with buying energy efficient appliances, ensuring that one's home is heating/cooling efficient is a valuable investment. As you can see from the chart below (our energy usage during the past year), our bills are actually the lowest in the winter. This is because our windows and doors are sealed, the colors of our home and roof are heat-absorbant, and our insulation is quite thick. On the other hand, our AC bill is very high. I think this would be best remedied naturally with the addition of more trees on the south side of our house.
Through the process of doing the personal energy audit for my home, I realized how easy it was to change the impacts we have on the environment and our wallets. Our energy usage decreased by almost fifteen kWh on the days that my mom and I were away, simply because the dishwasher, washer, and dryer were not used. We do own energy efficient large appliances, but we should probably find a way to use them less because they seem to be the largest suckers of energy. For example, hanging clothes out to dry and hand washing dishes would help at least a little bit.
Along with buying energy efficient appliances, ensuring that one's home is heating/cooling efficient is a valuable investment. As you can see from the chart below (our energy usage during the past year), our bills are actually the lowest in the winter. This is because our windows and doors are sealed, the colors of our home and roof are heat-absorbant, and our insulation is quite thick. On the other hand, our AC bill is very high. I think this would be best remedied naturally with the addition of more trees on the south side of our house.