Why is it relevant to find out the energy usage of my water heater?
The water heater is one of the highest expenses on the average person's electrical bill. Doing this project will save me money, especially during an energy crisis. Energy could potentially be saved by every household in Juneau, a change that could reduce the demand for electricity, and therefore drive down energy costs for everyone.
Overarching question:
Is it more energy efficient to switch off my water heater when it is not in use for a specific time frame or to maintain the water heater at a constant temperature during the same time frame?
Specific focus
Results and conclusions
View my PowerPoint presentation in order to find out about the method through which I determined the electricity usage of my hot water heater when it heats water from cold, and its electricity usage when it maintains water at a constant temperature.
Through a comparison of various meter readings, and as a result of my research I have answered my initial essential question, and I am genuinely surprised by the results. Based on this project, I have become aware that if I am away from home for nine hours or more, I should switch my hot water heater off at the breaker as an energy-saving strategy. Adhering to this specific time-frame will allow me to save considerable money and energy over the life-span of my water heater.
The water heater is one of the highest expenses on the average person's electrical bill. Doing this project will save me money, especially during an energy crisis. Energy could potentially be saved by every household in Juneau, a change that could reduce the demand for electricity, and therefore drive down energy costs for everyone.
Overarching question:
Is it more energy efficient to switch off my water heater when it is not in use for a specific time frame or to maintain the water heater at a constant temperature during the same time frame?
Specific focus
- How much electricity does my water heater use in order to heat 50 gallons of water?
- How much electricity does my water heater require to maintain water at a constant high temperature?
- What specific amount of time must pass (24 hrs to 78hrs) in order for me to save money by switching off my water heater?
- How much money could I save if I switch my water heater off during a vacation day or a weekend away, and should everybody do the same thing?
- Does it do any damage to the water heater to switch it on and off on a regular basis?
- What impact would the figures that I find have on me, Juneau, the U.S. and the world?
- What difference could lowering the energy consumption of a water heater have on an average electrical bill?
View my PowerPoint presentation in order to find out about the method through which I determined the electricity usage of my hot water heater when it heats water from cold, and its electricity usage when it maintains water at a constant temperature.
Through a comparison of various meter readings, and as a result of my research I have answered my initial essential question, and I am genuinely surprised by the results. Based on this project, I have become aware that if I am away from home for nine hours or more, I should switch my hot water heater off at the breaker as an energy-saving strategy. Adhering to this specific time-frame will allow me to save considerable money and energy over the life-span of my water heater.
- In 08' I could have saved $73 by switching off my hot water heater for the 80 days that I was out of town.
- 13,000 homes in Juneau get an electric bill.
- If every home gets a $28 water heater rebate: $364,000 total savings.
- If each household in Juneau began would wash clothes in cold water, insulate water tank and pipes and reduce thermostat temp. by 10 degrees.
- Approx. savings per house / yr: $192-$224
- Potential Juneau annual savings total: $2,485,600 - $2,914,600
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