ENERGY CONSERVATION

Measuring Energy Energy is the ability to do work. Can be measured by: Newton (N) – unit of force needed to push/pull mass of 1 kg 1 m/s2 eg. force to throw a football 1 m/s2 is 1N Joule (J) – unit that measures work done when 1N of force moves an object 1m against the force eg. it takes 1J of energy to lift an apple against gravity by 1m (from floor to table)

Watt – unit of power (rate at which work is done). W =J/s power of light bulbs measured in watts/hr or watt hour (Wh) CF (compact fluorescent) bulb rated @ 13W uses 13W of power/hr (3600 J) kilowatt (kW) = 1000W, kilowatt hour (kWh) is how we measure power avg household in Canada consumes 1000 kWh of electrical energy/mo

Energy Conservation – not using energy (turning off lights) Energy Efficiency – using less energy (CF bulbs) it is always better and less costly to conserve energy than to implement new technologies that are more energy efficient or are renewable resources

Energy Conservation Methods Lighting: use natural light turn off when not in use incandescent lights only 5% efficient (95% of energy is lost as heat) CF bulbs 75% more efficient than incandescent and last 5-10 times longer LED lights (xmas lights) reduces energy and costs by 85-90%

Hot Water & Thermostat Control turning down thermostats for heating & cooling when house is empty can save 50% of energy used hot water tanks continuously keep water hot even when not in use (~$500-$800) instantaneous (tankless) water heaters only heat water when needed ~ $1000

Smart Meters difficult for electricity providers to meet demand during peak hours (times when everyone using electricity at same time) charge higher rate during peak hrs and lower rate during non-peak hours (night, daytime) smart meters measure WHEN you use electricity encourages people to cut back during peak hrs http://www.kingstonhydro.ca/pdf_downloads/TO9057_KingstonHydro_Booklet.pdf

Vampire Power aka Phantom Load, Standby Power appliances that are turned off or in sleep mode but are still drawing power DVD players, TV’s, laptops, printers etc. 5–10% of electricity in avg Cdn home consumed as vampire power some devices use 10 – 15 W on standby if all Cdns reduced this to only 1 W, this would save equivalent of entire residential electricity consumption of New Brunswick

How to reduce Vampire Power Unplug battery chargers unplug any appliance requiring remotes Turn off game consoles, remote boxes, DVDs, and VCRs (can consume on average 50 Watts even if not being used. Turn off computers and all printers and scanners etc. (computer left on may consume 1700 W in 12 hours, in standby mode 400 W, and turned off 24 W. allow the computer to shut off the monitor (screensavers use as much energy as if the computer is left on) buy ENERGY STAR products use up to 50% less electricity in standby mode (computers can use 70% less energy)

Every Kilowatt Counts