The types of energy used are natural gas, electricity, solar, gasoline, and wood. The energy is used for cooling and heating, transportation, cooking, and various appliances at home such as the computer refrigerator, and TV. Saving energy is a win-win situation for both the consumer and the electricity producer. When the utility bills are lowered, it saves money. Moreover, lower utility bills translate to lower energy usage and reduced amount of greenhouse emissions. Most of the energy in the country is from coal-powered plants. Every home should be energy efficient. One of the techniques for improving energy efficiency is by minimizing phantom loads. Phantom loads refer to the energy that is utilized when an appliance has been turned off ( Weitemeyer, Kleinhans, Vogt, & Agert, 2015). About 6% of the national residential electricity consumption is attributed to phantom loads. Phantom loads can be reduced by unplugging all electrical appliances after use.
| Electricity | Gasoline | Wood | Solar | Natural Gas | |
|
Day 1 Saturday (7/22/2017) |
Refrigerator - 6 hours Lights – 4 hours Dishwasher -1 hour Computers - 4 hours Printer – 1 hour TV – 5 hours Games Consoles – 2 hours Heating – off and on for entire day at 68 F Laundry - wash and dry – 2 hours |
Drove to and from Walmart (2 hours) Generator – 1.5 hours |
Solar panels for water heating (12 hours of sunlight) Lighting |
Cooking (2 hours) | |
|
Day 2 Sunday (7/23/2017) |
Refrigerator - 6 hours Lights – 4 hours Dishwasher -1 hour Computers - 3 hours Printer – 1 hour TV – 8 hours Games Consoles – 2 hours Heating – off and on for entire day at 68 F Laundry - wash and dry |
Drove to and from the hospital and went to a restaurant (5.5 hours) Generator (0.5 hours) |
Ran fireplace for 6 hours (2 logs) |
Solar panels for water heating (12 hours of sunlight) Lighting |
Cooking (1 hour) |
|
Day 3 Monday (7/24/2017) |
Refrigerator - 6 hours Lights – 4 hours Dishwasher -1 hour Computers - 3 hours Printer – 1 hour TV – 8 hours Games Consoles – 2 hours Heating – off and on for the entire day at 68 F Laundry - wash and dry |
Drove to visit family and ran errands (3.5 hours) Generator |
Ran fireplace for 4 hours (2 logs) |
Solar panels for water heating (12 hours of sunlight) Lighting |
Cooking (3 hours) |
|
3- day cost estimate (optional) Divide monthly bills (30-day cost) by 10 to get an average |
$25.47 | $29.00 | $15 – I bought them from my neighbor | Free – our solar panels are paid off. | $3.58 |
| The electric company mainly uses coal. |
Some of the techniques for reducing energy use at home include: Conducting a home energy audit Inspection of the heating system Keeping blinds and curtains closed at night Shutting down computers, printers, and game consoles after use ( Weitemeyer, Kleinhans, Vogt, & Agert, 2015). Replacing the incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs Unplugging idle electronics |
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Moreover, homes should utilize energy-efficient appliances. When purchasing electronics, consumers should search for appliances that have an environmental protection agency star before the purchase. Appliances that have the energy star often use about 30% less water and energy than other conventional appliances ( Weitemeyer, Kleinhans, Vogt, & Agert, 2015). The other technique would be replacing the incandescent bulbs in the home with LED bulbs which may save about $30 during their lifetime. LED and fluorescent light bulbs often use 75% less power and can last ten times longer than conventional bulbs ( Weitemeyer, Kleinhans, Vogt, & Agert, 2015). Furthermore, fluorescent light bulbs do not emit mercury when they are in use. The most difficult change would be replacing the appliances such as fridges and printers with energy-efficient appliances because it would mean spending extra money. The home should also have a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the room’s temperature according to the owner’s schedule while keeping the occupants as comfortable as possible. The programmable thermostat saves about 15% on cooling and heating costs ( Weitemeyer, Kleinhans, Vogt, & Agert, 2015). During summer, homes can utilize whole houses, stationery, and ceiling fans to cool the homes, therefore, reducing the need for air conditioning. All the leaks in the ducts should be sealed. Moreover, dishes and laundry should be done when there is a full load. Dishwashers utilize a lot of electricity and water. The drying cycle can also be turned off and the dishes are allowed to drip and air dry.
References
Weitemeyer, S., Kleinhans, D., Vogt, T., & Agert, C. (2015). Integration of Renewable Energy Sources in future power systems: The role of storage. Renewable Energy , 75 , 14-20.
