Electrical Energy Use in the Home
The purpose of this activity is to determine the amount of electrical energy you and your family use in your home. Also, you will give some thought to a plan for reducing your energy use.
1. Bring in the most recent energy bill for your family or ask your parents to tell you the average amount they spend each month. Be as accurate as possible with this. You are trying to calculate monthly average of kilowatts used. If you don’t have a bill, but know the monthly cost, calculate the kWh used as follows:
kWh used = monthly cost ($) x 1 kWh
$ 0.075
2. Next, make a list of the specific uses of electricity in your home, starting with the highest user and ending with the lowest. Use Table 1 as a guide to help you. The annual kilowatt hour consumption is calculated using the equation:
kWh | = | watts | x | hours used | x | 365 d | x | 1kW |
y | d | 1 y | 1000 W |
Divide the answer by 12 to determine the monthly consumption. The annual cost is determined by multiplying the kWh used by the cost per kWh. The cost from NB Power is about $0.075 per kWh.
Appliance |
Average wattage |
Annual consumption (kWh) |
Annual cost ($) |
Appliance |
Average wattage |
Annual consumption (kWh) |
Annual cost ($) |
Air conditioner (room) |
1566 |
1389 |
104.18 |
Lights |
read wattage on bulbs |
|
|
Blanket, electric |
177 |
147 |
11.03 |
Oven, microwave |
1500 |
300 |
22.50 |
Blender |
386 |
15 |
1.13 |
Oven, conventional |
4800 |
1146 |
85.95 |
Clock |
2 |
17 |
1.28 |
Radio |
71 |
86 |
6.45 |
Clothes dryer |
4856 |
993 |
74.48 |
Range |
12,200 |
1175 |
88.13 |
Coffee maker |
894 |
106 |
7.95 |
Refrigerator |
615 |
1829 |
137.18 |
Dehumidifier |
257 |
377 |
28.28 |
Shaver |
14 |
1.8 |
0.14 |
Dishwasher |
1201 |
363 |
27.23 |
Television |
300 |
400 |
30.00 |
Fan (window) |
200 |
170 |
12.75 |
Toaster |
1146 |
39 |
2.93 |
Freezer (15 cu. ft.) |
341 |
1195 |
89.63 |
Toothbrush |
7 |
0.5 |
0.04 |
Frying pan, electric |
1196 |
186 |
13.95 |
Vacuum cleaner |
630 |
46 |
3.45 |
Hair dryer |
381 |
14 |
1.05 |
Washing machine |
512 |
103 |
7.73 |
Heater (portable) |
1322 |
176 |
13.2 |
Water heater |
2475 |
4219 |
316.43 |
Iron |
1008 |
144 |
10.80 |
|
|
|
|
3. Calculate the total consumption for the appliances in your home and determine the total average monthly consumption. Compare this to the kilowatt hours reported on your electric bill. How can you account for any differences?
Energy Use |
% of Use |
Space heaters |
30% |
Refrigerator |
24% |
Miscellaneous |
22% |
Water heating |
13% |
Clothes dryers |
6% |
Stove |
5% |
4. Using Table 2 as a guide, develop a plan for your household to use 15% less energy next month.
a) What kind of lifestyle change will be required to achieve your plan?
b) Is your plan one that you think your family would adopt?
c) How much money would be saved each month by your plan?