The Problem:

Resources: Energy Flow US 2019:

From the energy flow diagram calculate the energy use for residential purposes in kWh/person-day for the US. This is a demonstration of your unit conversion skills that you have been developing this term.

Describe how these numbers differ (slightly) from the numbers we calculated in class. Why do you think this number is different from both David's calculation of 40 kWh/p/d and our sense that our energy use in the winter is similar to Davids.

Suppose you could reduce your energy use by 20 kWh/p/d (half of what you currently use). How much (minimum and maximum in $$) might you save over the next 10 years? Here is a table of the average electric rates across the country.

To blow insulation into the walls and ceiling of an average home costs $2000 to $3000. A high efficiency or tankless gas hot water heater runs about $1000 to $1500. Do your savings over 10 years allow you to pay back both of these over 10 years?

Would your thinking about the previous situation change if you got a federal tax credit that would double your savings?