1. Student Centers Lunch and Learn: Energy Usage and Conservation Within the Household
Saving Energy

2. Recap: How plastics are sorted
Notes
• The DoITPoMS web site gives a simple test method for polymer identification
polymers/sorting.php

3. Recap: 5 Easy Water Saving Tips
Wash laundry & dishes with full loads
Always turn off running water
Take shorter showers
Eliminate any and all leaks
Reduce the flow of toilets & showerheads
There are 5 easy ways you can start conserving water today.
We all need to take responsibility for saving water whether or not there is a drought.
Remember, every drop counts.
Additional Tips:
As you are warming the shower water, put a bucket in to collect the clean water. This water can be used for several things in your home, such as watering plants, mopping the floor and a variety of household chores.
Plan ahead when cooking and thaw out food in the refrigerator to prevent running under water to thaw.
You should also reduce the flow of water from your showerhead. The average showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water a minute. A low-flow showerhead can easily reduce the flow to 1.5 gallons per minute.
If you don’t know how much water your shower uses, you can measure the flow rate per minute with a bucket. You could hold the bucket under the showerhead for one minute, but it is easier to check the flow for 30 seconds and multiply by two to get the per minute flow.

4. Discussion

5. Why Conserve?

6. Texas Energy Sources

7. Texas Facts
Average electricity consumption per Texas home is 26% higher than the national average.
The average annual electricity cost per Texas household is $1,801, among the highest in the nation.
(US, West South Central (WSC), Texas)
US Energy Information Administration’s 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

8. Texas Energy Uses Measure of QBtus consumed.
Space heating: 5.3 (mostly natural gas)
Water heating: 1.8 (mostly natural gas)
Appliances: Appliances: 1.63
Air conditioning: .5
Refrigerator: .5
Lighting: .3
US Energy Information Administration’s 2009 Residential Energy Consumption Survey

9. Top Energy Consumption
Appliance
Typical Consumption Per Hour
Cost Per Hour (at 10 cents per kilowatt-hour)
Central air conditioner/heat pump
15,000 watts
$1.50
Clothes dryer/water heater
4,000 watts
40 cents
Water pump
3,000 watts
30 cents
Space heater
1,500 watts
15 cents
Hair dryer
1,200 watts
12 cents
Electric range burner
1,000 watts
10 cents
Refrigerator
Desktop computer and monitor
400 watts
4 cents
Incandescent light bulb
60 watts
0.6 cents
(Picture pg. 229)
Measured in Kilowatt hours per year
U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

10. Heating and Cooling Thermostat settings
68° Winter / 78° Summer (80° if leaving for a longer time)
3% - 5% decrease in use for every 1 degree
Install programmable thermostats
Seal ductwork
Check blocked vents/registers
Replace dirty filters
Service unit regularly
*U.S. Green Building Council

11. Clothes Washer and Dryers
Only run clothes washers when full
Use cold water for laundry
When drying, do not overfill the dryer and use the automatic setting if available.
Use at night Using clothes washers/dryers at night will keep the house cooler

12. COMPACT FLORESCENT LIGHTS
Lighting
COMPACT FLORESCENT LIGHTS
Use at least 2/3 less energy
Last up to 10X longer
Generate 70% less heat
*Energy Star Rating

13. Lighting - Conservation
Open the blinds or drapes
Use dimmers
Remember to turn off lights or use automatic controllers

14. Refrigerators
Keep it full. Refrigerators and freezers operate most efficiently when full
Keep condenser coils clean
Reduce the time the doors are open
1 sec = 1 degree
15 secs = 4 degrees
30 secs = 6 degrees
*U.S. Green Building Council

15. Electronics Chargers still draw energy when plugged in
TVs and Computers
Standby mode uses up to 10% electricity
Consider power strips with On/Off switch

16. Energy Guide Must be posted on all new appliances.
List energy usage and cost for appliance for one year.
Shows the price of this model as well as other models with different efficiencies. Shows cost of operation for one year.

17. Water Heating HOT water (120° F adequate) Size tank to meet demand
Bigger isn’t always better
Consider a tank-less system
Use less to fill to the bath and take quicker showers
Use low flow faucets/shower heads

18. Keep the Good Air In Well-insulated Walls & Attic
Insulation reduces heat loss, flue damper reduces heat lost through air out of the flue.
Upgrade or Replace Windows
Can save 7-24% in heating/cooling costs
*U.S. Green Building Council

19. The Energy-Conservative House
Study done on 1200 sq ft house to determine energy conservation in relationship to cost.
Invested $2700 – Appliances and Insulation
Total Energy Used
235 mil Btu/yr to 100 mil Btu/yr
Est. $3500/yr to $1500/yr *Natural Gas Supply
Air Conditioning/Heating
120 mil Btu/yr to 35 mil Btu/yr
Est. $1800/yr to $500/yr *Natural Gas Supply
Source: Rutgers University -

20. Upcoming Events 3/31 – Life Hacks Contest Ends
4/17 – Eco-artist Grant Manier
4/17 – 4/22 Earth Week Celebration