Energy Audit Lab
kWh used per month: 1669
Source of electricity: natural gas
1669*.47= 784.43
784.43 kg of CO2 are emitted each month. No SO2 is emitted.
In August, the total kWh usage was 3231, while March's is 1669. During the summer, my dad actually experimented to figure out how much power the air conditioning used. He estimated it at 3 kWh per day, or 84 kWh per month. That ups the summer usage, as does the use of the pool pump running much more frequently.
Source of electricity: natural gas
1669*.47= 784.43
784.43 kg of CO2 are emitted each month. No SO2 is emitted.
In August, the total kWh usage was 3231, while March's is 1669. During the summer, my dad actually experimented to figure out how much power the air conditioning used. He estimated it at 3 kWh per day, or 84 kWh per month. That ups the summer usage, as does the use of the pool pump running much more frequently.
This house is insulated with fiberglass. My house doesn't have much tree cover, the only trees being small and far enough away that they don't cover the house. The roof is composed of dark brown shingles. Air in the attic doesn't circulate much- it's frigid in the winters and stuffy and hot in the summers. All the doors and windows are tightly fit. Outer walls are lightly colored, so they reflect heat. There are several very big windows in the back, facing Northwest, which let a lot of sunlight and heat in.
One major impact on our energy consumption is the pool pump. During the second week of recording, my brother left the pool pump on intending for it to only go a few hours. Instead, it was on all week, which is why the electricity use increased during those days. In the future, we should make sure to double check that the pump is off. I also found that the oven uses a lot of energy. We could conserve that energy by eating out, but that also has a negative impact on the environment and our finances. It might be better to use the microwave or eat more foods that don't need to be cooked, like salad and sandwiches.
General Conclusions
Accuracy: Though I tried to get the electricity readings at the exact same time every day, a couple days I had trouble getting to the meter because I was babysitting and not at home. This could have upset the accuracy of the data.
Real-Life Application: Reducing electricity usage is promoted during a worldwide event called Earth Hour, a project started by the World Wildlife Fund. It's an annual event where people are encouraged to turn off lights and other electricity for an hour. This year it occurs on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30 to 9:30 (Comox Valley Record). So far, studies have shown that it causes a large reduction in amount of energy usage when many people participate.
"Cut Your Power Usage during Earth Hour This Saturday." Comox Valley Record. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
Real-Life Application: Reducing electricity usage is promoted during a worldwide event called Earth Hour, a project started by the World Wildlife Fund. It's an annual event where people are encouraged to turn off lights and other electricity for an hour. This year it occurs on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30 to 9:30 (Comox Valley Record). So far, studies have shown that it causes a large reduction in amount of energy usage when many people participate.
"Cut Your Power Usage during Earth Hour This Saturday." Comox Valley Record. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.