Alternative Methods for Reducing Energy Consumption
Using less energy for home heating and cooling but still have desired room temperatures*
Summary of method: lower the temperature differences and use of a selected smaller area of the house or room with electric heater or air conditioner * Note method depends on requirements and may not work for all situations
Practical heat transfer theory
Most everyone knows E=IR or voltage=Current flow X resistance but not every one knows the equivalent analogy in heat transfer is T=QR . Where T is the driving force temperature, Q is Heat flow; R is the insulation or resistance to heat transfer. Since you can only go so far by adding more insulation and caulking up the holes and cracks plus the additional cost outlay, other methods provide alternatives. Delta T the lower the difference in temperatures provides driving force and lower delta T's provide less heat transfer. In summary the lower temperature difference or the higher the R value (insulation) the lower the heat loss.
Winter example temperatures for a total area 2520 ft^2 T(1) inside house =75 deg F, T(2) outside house=25 deg. F (winter) delta T=50 deg F Annual gas usage =90MCF
Lowering the temperature T(1) in side house =50 deg F, T(2) outside = 25 deg F (winter ) delta T=25 deg F Annual gas usages 27 MCF gas cost**is $13.71 per MCF (total distribution, supplier an tax) Annual gas usage difference=63MCF, annual cost difference=$863.73
Electric heater cost calculation, Room area is 180 ft^2, Heater =1500W (1.5kW) operational cost is$.1954per kWh @$.1302 per kWh electricity cost**(includes generation, distribution, recovery, added charges) running time 12 kWh per day X $.1954/kWh Costs $2.3448 per day or 30day/month cost=$70.346/ month so winter season 4 month cost= $281.385
Total annual saving =$863.73- $281.385 or $ 582.3248
**note energy companies are adding on costs to improve there bottom line (distribution, recovery, tax, environmental, etc) besides the cost of energy.
Risk assessment and how low you can reduce the temperatureJust how low can you reduce the temperature depends on how much risk and discomfort you are willing to assume. It should be remembered that water freezes @32 deg F and plumbing /water repair damage costs much more than is saved. Hence you want to design in a safety factor of at least 10 deg. F above freezing point of water. In Addition, the person still needs to use other parts of the house such as the bedroom and bath room Lastly, the person should be in good physical condition to endure added temperature induced stress and knowledge of the potential dangers of hypothermia.
Additional maintenance problems to check for It is critical that the thermostat be in good working order and strongly suggested that a new thermostat be installed. Additionally all furnace repair work should be completed in the late summer or early fall
Summer Time Energy Conservation AlternativesIn theory the air conditioning (AC) works in reverse cooling the air instead of heating the air and expelling the heat to the environment so the math stays the same and cooling a smaller home area requires less energy. Additionally, humidity of the air becomes more important due to the water vapor containing the heat of vaporization. There fore condensing water out of the air cools the air even more. This does not happen in winter since the air is much drier and dry winter air is often humidified to produce a warmer air. This is standard AC technology. The department of energy has (DOE) recently proposed painting roofs and building s white to reflect light and heat energy to help reduce the amount of energy required to cool such buildings, homes etc. This certainly works and is well proven since there are many roof coatings suppliers with TiO2 pigmented (white) coatings. Roof coatings have contained pigmented systems for years but it should be remembered that these coatings are sometimes costly since they must have resistance to weathering conditions such as cold, extreme heat, and water along with flexibility to prevent cracking.
Another energy alternative, with recent commercialization of low energy lighting it should be possible that working at night would eliminate the need for AC entirely. However, such a major change in human behavior may be difficult to accomplish. It should also be remembered that 70 years ago people got along without AC, the problem that has developed is that new buildings are designed with AC systems.
If anyone is interested in more information on energy alternatives please contact
Research Work Industries by snail mail our address is
RW Industries
5012 N. Sedgewick
Cleveland Ohio 44124
We have more details and CD's with info on DIY projects.