Baseload measures
quantify, address, manage
Todd Hoener,
Presenter
LEED accredited professional
End-use energy specialist
Renewable energy program administrator
Certified home energy rater &
Light commercial energy auditor
Golden Valley Electric Association
Fairbanks, Alaska
907 451 5607 w
tmhoener@gmail.com
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
E 101: kWh = kilowatt-hour
• Basic electric power unit = watt
• One kilowatt (kW)= 1,000 watts
• Meter records consumption period in
kilowatts used = kilowatt-hours (kWh)
• (kW) X (time, in hours) = kWh
• People use & purchase kWhs
• (kWh X $/kWh = $$$ owed electric utility)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Kilowatts (kW)
Fourteen 100-watt incandescent lamps
One 1400-watt electric heater
=
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) costs
Example –
An appliance name plate states “1,400 watts”
(e.g. electric space heater):
• 1,400 watts ÷ 1,000 watts (1 kW) = 1.4 kW
• (1.4 kW) X 2 hours per morning = 2.8 kW-hours
• 2.8 kWh X $0.11 (price of electricity per kWh)
• = $0.308 (i.e., to heat space for 2 hours)
• X 30 mornings per month = $9.24 per month
• X 6 months per heating season = $55.44
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
National electric use
According to US DOE EIA, in 2008, a U.S. residential utility
customer annually used
• 11,040 kWh, average annual electricity
consumption
• 920 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month
National daily average kWh use =
• 30.2 kWh per day
Highest average annual consumption state: Tennessee
• 15,624 kWh, 42.8 daily kWh average
Lowest: Maine
• 6,252 kWh, 17.1 daily kWh average
(US DOE EIA)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
What is “Baseload”?
Baseload end use electricity
• Measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh)
• Generally, it represents all energy used to operate
house, minus seasonal heating & cooling (peak
use)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Determining baseload use
Separate total annual residential electricity
consumption into baseload & seasonal:
• Review last 12 monthly electric use (kWh).
• Add 3 or 4 lowest monthly electric use (kWh)
(obtained from billing statements).
• Average monthly electricity usage from these
lowest use months (kWh).
• Multiply calculated monthly baseload average
(kWh) by 12 = estimate annual baseload
electric use (kWh).
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Usage statement, or “the bill”

Examine monthly statements

Utility-to-utility, statements differ

Rates may differ, but kWhs are fairly logical

Usage statements offer information, trends

Statements are personal & confidential;
request permission to obtain
24 March 2016
24 March 2016
20080605 EOW Utility Bill Analysis
2010 Energy OutWest
Todd Hoener, energy end-use specialist
Reno, Nevada
8
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Baseload calculation example
Month
Monthly electricity use in kWh recorded
Kilowatt-hours
Notes
January
1,042
February
920
March
879
April
820
May
607
607
4th lowest use month
June
647
July
586
586
3rd lowest use month
August
554
554
1st lowest use month
September
621
October
575
575
2nd lowest use month
November
790
December
996
TOTALS
9,036
2,322
Total of 4 lowest use months
581
Average of 4 lowest use months
Annual Baseload Electricity Use
6,966
Average multiplied by 12 months
Seasonal Electricity Use
2,070
Subtract baseload from total
Annual Daily kWh Average Baseload
19
Divide baseload by 365 days
Annual Daily kWh Average Total
25
(Baseload = more than 75%)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Baseload calculation example
Monthly electricity use in kWh recorded
1,200
1,042
996
1,000
920
879
820
790
647
621
607
600
586
575
554
400
200
Month electricty use recorded
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2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
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24 March 2016
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Kilowatt-hours
800
Electric baseload plugged in
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24 March 2016
Refrigerator
Water Heating
Lighting
Clothes Dryer
Freezer
Range Top
Color TV
Dishwasher
Oven
PC and Printer
Microwave Oven
VCR/DVD
Clothes Washer
Cable Box
Toaster Oven
Coffee Maker
Well Water Pump
Home Electronics
Stereo
Satellite Dish
Cordless Phone
Answering Machine
Waterbed Heater
Other End Uses
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
U.S. “30.2 kWh / day” breakdown
14%
09%
09 %
06%
04%
03%
02.9%
02.5%
02%
01.8%
1.7%
24 March 2016
refrigerator
water heating
lighting
clothes dryer
freezer
electric range
color TV
dishwasher
PC & printer
oven
microwave
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
4.2
2.8
2.7
1.8
1.1
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.6
0.5
0.5
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
kWh
(US DOE EIA)
Baseload only consumption
Other End Uses
11%
Other Equipment
4%
Kitchen Appliances
39%
Laundry Appliances
10%
Home Electronics
10%
Lighting
13%
24 March 2016
Water Heating
13%
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Refrigerator
330
– 725 watts
Refrigerator removes heat
from air with electric motor
Consume about 1/6th all
electricity used in homes
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Refrigerator: best practices
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fridge temp, 36 - 40F; freezer, 0 - 5F
Cool off hot foods
Thaw frozen foods in fridge; cool as they defrost
Not frost-free – defrost freezer before frost
exceeds ¼” thick – frost makes freezer work
harder
Clean coils & air intake every 6 months
Good gaskets – replace, if necessary
Placement – heat must escape freely
Keep from other heated objects
Keep at least ¾ full, but not stuffed (air flow)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Refrigerator upgrade
• Side-by-side models use more energy (at least
20% – up to 45%)
• Size matters – as a rule, larger models use more
energy to operate & more resources to build –
select smallest size that fits need
• Manual defrost use less electricity
• Before 1993, replace (old models can use up to
50% more energy than new Energy Star)
• Models sold after 2001 use 40% less than before
• Energy Star
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Refrigerator upgrade
Two methods to estimate savings from replacing
old refrigerator with a new efficient one:
 Metering electricity usage
 Using the database of estimated annual usage
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Refrigerator usage: metering
Metering electricity usage
 Metering 2 hours is adequate
 Start metering as soon as on site
Some single device monitoring meters:
 Watts up? & Watts up? Pro
 Kill-A-Watt
 Brand Power Meter
 Others (“google”)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Refrigerator defrost issue
If older refrigerator being tested has a defrost
heater, need to ensure it will not interfere with
test.
 Locate defrost timer, which controls the defrost
heating cycle




Under cover plate or behind kick plate in front
Behind light panel or behind panel in roof of food
compartment
Behind on back of fridge
Could be inaccessible
“Incorporating Refrigerator Replacement into the Weatherization Assistance Program: Information Tool Kit,” US DoE, 19
November 2001
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Electric water heater
• 3,500 – 5,500 w
• Electric water heating one of
largest energy users in home
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Best practices
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Install insulation blanket (check specs, warnings)
Insulate at least first 5 feet of pipes
Water temperature: 125 F to 130 F
Check for leaks
Install low flow shower & faucet devices
Install controls (e.g., timer) & heat traps
Sediment: drain a quart every 3 months
• Replace with more efficient heater
• http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Possible upgrade
• Energy factor ~ 0.95
• Marathon
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Clothes dryer
• 1,800 – 5,000 watts
(typically, 4,500 w)
• Clothes dryer typically
one of biggest users
after refrigerator,
water heater (family
size depends)
• Dryers often inefficient
because over-drying &
not maintained
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Best practices
• Dry one full load after other – take
advantage of retained heat
• Be sure dryer vented properly –
vent exhaust to outside, use
straightest, shortest duct
• Clean lint filter after every drying
• Replace flex duct with smooth
metal pipe
• Clothes line outside, rack inside
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
TVs & peripherals


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
Cathode ray tube (CRT)(30”): 115w
Plasmas (42”–50”): 240w-400w
LCDs (32”-40”): 125w-200w
Rear projection sets (55”or>) 150w200w
cosnservingElectricity.com
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
TV power-saving tips
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Turn TV & other connected devices off when not
used
Power down other connected devices, like game
consoles and DVD players
Turn off “Quick Start” option or something similar
Turn down LCD's backlight
Turn on power saver mode
Reduce light output with settings; control room
lighting
Buy smaller screen
Watch TV together
Watch less TV
Purchase ENERGY STAR 4.0 compliant
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Choice architecture affects baseload
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Behavior strategies
Behavioral economics, also “choice architecture” &
“libertarian paternalism” – nudging humans to
make better choices


Some experts estimate 20% of nations energy use
can be controlled by behavior strategies
Best practices to leverage behavior combine
strategies, all focusing on

what motivates individuals,

what is convenient &

what overcomes barriers
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Behavior affects baseload

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Baseload electricity end use is a function of
people.
Reducing baseload use is not only people
implementing energy efficiency technologies.
Reducing baseload also includes education,
motivation, and reassessing each persons
accountability.
It involves each person committing to take
deliberate action upon any new and applicable
awareness.
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Behavior motivating menu
Understanding what makes people act
 Commitment & goal-setting
 Social pressure, competition nature, perception
others were participating
 Structuring “opt out” choice as opposed to “opt in”
 Customized information, direct appeals
 Public campaigns engaging people
 Regular feedback, charting progress
 Rebates
 Convenience
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Controls affect baseload
Electric water heater
timer
Vacancy switch
24 March 2016
Electronic timer switch
Occupancy switch
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Surge protection power strip
Photocell motion detectors
Efficiency branding tools
Superb marketing tool now
 Clothes washers
 Refrigerators & freezers
 Dishwashers
 Computers, monitors,
printers
 LED lighting
 energystar.gov for lots
more
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Information tools
EnergyGuide label provides
 Energy consumption,
usage estimates
 Yearly operating cost
estimates
 ACEEE’s: Consumer Guide
to Home Energy Savings

24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Determining electricity end use
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Nameplates & measuring
Monitoring, data logging, load profiling
Whole house, individual devices
The house meter as a tool
Watching & record keeping
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Nameplate information
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
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Lamp
30w
Nameplate information
6.5 amps
“about”
(because it’s a motor)
6.5 X 120V
= 780w
780/1000 = .78kW
X 2 hours on
= 1.6 kWh
X $0.11 / kWh
= $0.18 cost
38
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Residential house meters
Three types
typical residential
meters
 Meter measures
usage, kWhs
 Difference
between prior &
present readings
= kWh used &
purchased

24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
A word about meter accuracy
Meter test log for 3 years
10.00
0.00
percent of accuracy of meter: fast or slow (-)
1
6
11
16
21
26
31
36
41
46
51
56
61
66
71
76
81
-10.00
-20.00
-30.00
-40.00
-50.00
-60.00
24 March 2016
of meter tests
2010number
Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
86
91
96 101 106 111 116 121 126 131
Whole house monitoring
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24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Reading TED
 Monitor
 0.550 kW
Whole house monitoring

24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Reading TED
 Computer
dashboard
 0.550 kW
Device monitoring
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
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Watts up? PRO
Monitoring the
laptop
 23.4w
Device monitoring
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
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Watts up? PRO
Screen display
 Daily log
 4 days
Daily electricity use log: 2 months
Days
0
1
3
4
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
18
22
24
25
28
35
36
37
38
39
40
45
51
52
53
55
57
61
62
63
64
65
67
Date/Time
1/21/06 11:00
1/22/06 18:15
1/24/06 19:00
1/25/06 18:00
1/27/06 18:10
1/29/06 18:00
1/30/06 19:15
1/31/06 18:00
2/1/06 18:00
2/2/06 18:00
2/3/06 18:40
2/5/06 19:00
2/8/06 19:15
2/12/06 20:50
2/14/06 18:05
2/15/06 18:35
2/18/06 18:40
2/25/06 18:00
2/26/06 18:15
2/27/06 21:00
2/28/06 18:20
3/1/06 18:10
3/2/06 19:55
3/7/06 18:10
3/13/06 17:50
3/14/06 18:00
3/15/06 17:55
3/17/06 20:15
3/19/06 18:10
3/23/06 17:55
3/24/06 18:00
3/25/06 18:20
3/26/06 18:45
3/27/06 18:00
3/29/06 18:00
24 March 2016
Time between reads
0:00:00
31:15:00
48:45:00
23:00:00
48:10:00
47:50:00
25:15:00
22:45:00
24:00:00
24:00:00
24:40:00
48:20:00
72:15:00
97:35:00
45:15:00
24:30:00
72:05:00
167:20:00
24:15:00
26:45:00
21:20:00
23:50:00
25:45:00
118:15:00
143:40:00
24:10:00
23:55:00
50:20:00
45:55:00
95:45:00
24:05:00
24:20:00
24:25:00
23:15:00
48:00:00
kilowatt-hour read
0.00
48.92
80.36
101.10
150.30
206.60
232.90
253.10
270.30
291.20
306.70
368.90
437.20
525.10
564.30
580.10
636.50
785.40
818.10
844.20
859.20
879.50
905.90
1102.00
1189.00
1212.00
1230.00
1267.00
1326.00
1410.00
1431.00
1453.00
1477.00
1506.00
1539.00
Delta kWh
0.00
48.92
31.44
20.74
49.20
56.30
26.30
20.20
17.20
20.90
15.50
62.20
68.30
87.90
39.20
15.80
56.40
148.90
32.70
26.10
15.00
20.30
26.40
196.10
87.00
23.00
18.00
37.00
59.00
84.00
21.00
22.00
24.00
29.00
33.00
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Daily kWh average
0.0
37.6
15.5
21.6
24.5
28.2
25.0
21.3
17.2
20.9
15.1
30.9
22.7
21.6
20.8
15.5
18.8
21.4
32.4
23.4
16.9
20.4
24.6
39.8
14.5
22.8
18.1
17.6
30.8
21.1
20.9
21.7
23.6
29.9
16.5
Comments
2X laundry
Gone for 2 days
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Home all day, laundry
Gone all day, both
Gone all day, both
Carey home, Todd work
Gone all day, both
Carey home, Todd work
Weekend
Week days
Weekend
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Saturday
Carey home, Todd work
Weekend
Monday
Gone all day, both
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Weekend
Monday
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
No laundry;
Laundry, vacuum
Home all day, both
Saturday
Before laundry
Laundry
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
:0
0
24 March 2016
:0
0
:0
0
:0
0
Time
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
11
10
:0
0
:0
0
9:
00
8:
00
7:
00
6:
00
5:
00
4:
00
3:
00
2:
00
1:
00
12
11
10
9:
00
8:
00
7:
00
6:
00
5:
00
4:
00
3:
00
2:
00
1:
00
12
M
M
M
M
P
P
M
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
M
P
A
A
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
M
A
Kilowatts
24-hr profile from monitoring
4.5
Spring equinox, March, Fairbanks, Alaska residence
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
Charting daily log for trends
Daily kilowatt-hour average
45.0
Weekend
40.0
Weekend
Weekend
Weekend
Weekend
35.0
Weekend
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
Gone, traveling
5.0
Friday, one
person home
Wednesday,
one person
home
Monday, one
person home
Wednesday, one
person home
Tuesday, one
person home
31
:1
5:
48 00
:4
5:
23 00
:0
0:
48 00
:1
0:
47 00
:5
0:
25 00
:1
5:
22 00
:4
5:
24 00
:0
0:
24 00
:0
0:
24 00
:4
0:
48 00
:2
0:
72 00
:1
5:
97 00
:3
5:
45 00
:1
5:
24 00
:3
0:
72 00
:0
5
16 :00
7:
20
:
24 00
:1
5:
26 00
:4
5:
21 00
:2
0:
23 00
:5
0:
25 00
:4
5
11 :00
8:
15
14 :00
3:
40
:
24 00
:1
0:
23 00
:5
5:
50 00
:2
0:
45 00
:5
5:
95 00
:4
5:
24 00
:0
5:
24 00
:2
0:
24 00
:2
5:
23 00
:1
5:
48 00
:0
0:
00
0.0
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
What is “normal” use?
Depends. Lots of variables: Home alone? Everybody
home? Operate a business in home? Never
home?
There is no “normal” use, but assessments &
comparables may be drawn
 Count up appliances & add up nameplates
wattages
 Monitor usage or control & log actions
 Spot trends. Compare daily kWh averages &
electricity use indexes (annual kWh / s.f.)
 Start benchmarking (a dynamic activity that
continually fine-tunes itself)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
EOW daily kWh average
40.0
36.0
35.7
35.7
33.7
35.0
31.3
30.0
kilowatt-hours
25.0
21.7
19.3
20.0
15.0
10.0
5.0
0.0
Arizona
Idaho
Washington Oregon
Nevada
EOW states
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Alaska
California
Creating a context for comparing




Focus on baseload use, not total: separate
Focus on low-income households (weatherization
target)
Construct a starting point framework called
“benchmarking” using “electricity index” & “daily
kWh average” to establish “normal”, “high”, or
“low” use
This framework should be flexible & dynamic as
more information is collected
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Rough U.S. electricity use index
Known:


National kWh annual average (US DOE EIA)
Average sizes of detached single family house unit,
2004 (NAHB, Census) and mobile home
Questionable:



Number of housing members?
Electricity use probably not similar in comparables?
Baseload electricity use percentage?
National annual kilowatthour average
Electricity
index
(kWh/sq. ft.)
Baseload index
(assume 50%)
2,330.0
11,040.0
4.7
2.4
960.0
11,040.0
11.5
5.8
House size
Square
foot
area
Average single family
house size, 2004
Large single wide
mobile home 16' X 60'
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
EOW states’ annual kWh averages
Starting point for Western region electricity index
framework benchmark
State
Average daily kWh average
Average annual kWh average
36.0
13,140
Idaho
35.7
13,044
Washington
35.7
13,032
Oregon
33.7
12,312
Nevada
31.3
11,436
21.7
7,932
19.3
7,044
Arizona
Alaska
California
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Rough EOW region index calc
Sampling of “typical” low-income house sizes based
on National trends & percentages (Census – thus,
all states similar)
Again, no information about household member
sizes – which would have affect on electricity use
State
Estimated National low-income
household detached single size
(s.f..)
Estimated National lowincome household rental size
(s.f.)
Estimated National low-income
household mobile home size (s.f.)
Arizona
1,662
1,300
1,280
Idaho
1,662
1,300
1,280
Washington
1,662
1,300
1,280
Oregon
1,662
1,300
1,280
Nevada
1,662
1,300
1,280
Alaska
1,662
1,300
1,280
California
1,662
1,300
1,280
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Comparing (with assumptions)


Attempt to carve out a benchmark
Crude attempt; lots unknown
Detached
single
baseload
index
(kWh/sq.
ft.) - 50% of
total index
House size
Average
daily
kWh
average
National and
EOW
average
kWh use
Average &
LOWINCOME
sized
detached
s.f.
National average
30.2
11,040.0
2,330.0
2.4
Arizona
36.0
13,140.0
1,662.0
4.0
Idaho
35.7
13,044.0
1,662.0
3.9
Washington
35.7
13,032.0
1,662.0
3.9
Oregon
33.7
12,312.0
1,662.0
3.7
Nevada
31.3
11,436.0
1,662.0
3.4
Alaska
21.7
7,932.0
1,662.0
2.4
California
19.3
7,044.0
1,662.0
2.1
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
EOW electricity indexes



Benchmarks on “average” typical low-income
housing units (detached, rental, mobile home)
“Average” sizes, downsized according to trends
Baseload percent of total assumed 50% (we’ve
already seen 75%)
State
Energy index detached,
50% baseload
Energy Index rental,
50% baseload
Energy index mobile
home, 50%
baseload
Arizona
4.0
5.1
5.3
Idaho
3.9
5.0
5.2
Washington
3.9
5.0
5.2
Oregon
3.7
4.7
4.9
Nevada
3.4
4.4
4.6
Alaska
2.4
3.1
3.2
California
2.1
2.7
2.8
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Energy intensity benchmarking
Energy intensity assessment method
 Comparing similar building electricity use based
on kilowatt-hour/square foot (additionally, per
degree days)
 I.e., energy metric/area/climate over some
time period
 Simplest method = annual kWh/s.f.
 Pitfalls: Empty vs. occupied houses, number of
occupants, occupant behaviors, equipment
choices & operation, climate, building design,
etc.
 Benefit: Fast estimate for comparisons
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Comparing with “Yardstick”


24 March 2016
ENERGY STAR attempt to
carve out a benchmark &
compare use across
regions
energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction
=HOME_ENERGY_YARDSTICK.show
GetStarted
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Welectricity web site
Simple, free online web service
 Helps track & reduce residential electricity
consumption
 A network with feedback ability
 Compare consumption to others
 Set goals, make plans
 Calculates average daily consumption for each
month
 Graphs consumption on a dashboard
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Welectricity
How it works
 Sign up for free account
 Set up residential profile
 Enter bill information
 Enter new usage information each month
www.welectricity.com
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Section points




Use data to compare, track trends, assume
some level of “normal”, “high” or “low” use
Calculate daily kilowatt-hour average for
benchmarking purposes
Determine specific annual kWh use & housing
unit area (square feet) to calculate electricity
use index for residence & benchmarking
purposes
Compare between & across similar & different
households for local benchmarking
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
First choice

How end-use baseload electricity is managed
determines how best electricity supply is use
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Again, what is “normal” use?
Depends. Lots of variables: Live alone? Stay at
home? Run a business from home? Never
home?
Comparisons & benchmarking are rough
attempts to define “normal use” but
households – in the end – are collections of
independent-minded individuals
There are similarities in households but often
action plans need specific tailoring
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
How “high usage” often happens
•
•
•
•
•
•
24 March 2016
Inefficient baseload appliances
Inattention to behavior, habits
Lack of monitoring usage
People: dynamics
Lack of knowledge & misunderstandings
High-usage devices (e.g., electric heater)
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Investigating usage spikes
Possible causes
 People home (long weekends, holidays)?
 More than 4 people, guests?
 Hot water leaks, bad heating elements?
 Cold weather?
 More billing period days (>30 days)?
 Unseen, forgotten devices (crawlspace, water
pales, well house, etc.)?
 Unheard motors operating (e.g., well pump)?
 New electric device purchase?
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Investigating habitually high use
Possible causes
 Dynamics: households > 4 people
 Electric water heating
 Laundry: electric clothes dryer used often
 Old refrigerators, freezers (15 years plus)
 Multiple fridges, freezers
 Dehumidifiers, fans, pumps
 Multiple electronics (TVs, DVD, cable, games, music,
etc.)
 Phantom loads (electronics, transformers, etc.)
 Heated water bed, hot tubs (pumps & heaters)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Don’t assume
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Inaccurate meter (broken)
Misread (wrong)
Somebody else’s meter read (confusion)
Mysterious, unannounced rate increase (conspire)
Leaking electricity (soaked ground)
“Not my fault” (pointing fingers)
Other people pay less & have and do more “things”
(victimized, unlucky)
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Implement personal energy policy









Invest in efficiency
Efficiency important, but only small part
Not just “the lights on” – behavior
Understand usage – monitoring tools, meter reads,
record keeping, monthly statements; benchmark
Develop usage budget plan
Stay the course; develop better habits
Accountability: it is up to you, not others
Commitment contract
Partner, or compete, with like-minded households
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
The legs of end-use management
To use any energy is to assume management
 Efficiency: technologies requiring less energy to
do same, or more, functions
 Conservation: behavior & habit adjustments or
control strategies
 Awareness: monitoring, learning
 knowing where & why energy is used
 passing on information
Commitment, accountability, motivation, set goal
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Efficiency
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Controlling use
Electric water heater
timer
Electronic timer switch
Surge protection power strip
Vacancy switch
24 March 2016
Occupancy switch
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Photocell motion detectors
Behavior
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Awareness & knowledge
Daily kilowatt-hour average
45.0
Weekend
40.0
Weekend
Weekend
Weekend
Weekend
Days
0
1
3
4
6
8
9
10
11
12
13
15
18
22
24
25
28
35
36
37
38
39
40
45
51
52
53
55
57
61
62
63
64
65
67
Date/Time
1/21/06 11:00
1/22/06 18:15
1/24/06 19:00
1/25/06 18:00
1/27/06 18:10
1/29/06 18:00
1/30/06 19:15
1/31/06 18:00
2/1/06 18:00
2/2/06 18:00
2/3/06 18:40
2/5/06 19:00
2/8/06 19:15
2/12/06 20:50
2/14/06 18:05
2/15/06 18:35
2/18/06 18:40
2/25/06 18:00
2/26/06 18:15
2/27/06 21:00
2/28/06 18:20
3/1/06 18:10
3/2/06 19:55
3/7/06 18:10
3/13/06 17:50
3/14/06 18:00
3/15/06 17:55
3/17/06 20:15
3/19/06 18:10
3/23/06 17:55
3/24/06 18:00
3/25/06 18:20
3/26/06 18:45
3/27/06 18:00
3/29/06 18:00
35.0
Weekend
30.0
25.0
20.0
15.0
10.0
Gone, traveling
5.0
Friday, one
person home
Wednesday,
one person
home
Monday, one
person home
Wednesday, one
person home
Tuesday, one
person home
31
:1
5:
48 00
:4
5:
23 00
:0
0:
48 00
:1
0:
47 00
:5
0:
25 00
:1
5:
22 00
:4
5:
24 00
:0
0:
24 00
:0
0:
24 00
:4
0:
48 00
:2
0:
72 00
:1
5:
97 00
:3
5:
45 00
:1
5:
24 00
:3
0:
72 00
:0
5
16 :00
7:
20
:
24 00
:1
5:
26 00
:4
5:
21 00
:2
0:
23 00
:5
0:
25 00
:4
5
11 :00
8:
15
14 :00
3:
40
:
24 00
:1
0:
23 00
:5
5:
50 00
:2
0:
45 00
:5
5:
95 00
:4
5:
24 00
:0
5:
24 00
:2
0:
24 00
:2
5:
23 00
:1
5:
48 00
:0
0:
00
0.0
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Time between reads
0:00:00
31:15:00
48:45:00
23:00:00
48:10:00
47:50:00
25:15:00
22:45:00
24:00:00
24:00:00
24:40:00
48:20:00
72:15:00
97:35:00
45:15:00
24:30:00
72:05:00
167:20:00
24:15:00
26:45:00
21:20:00
23:50:00
25:45:00
118:15:00
143:40:00
24:10:00
23:55:00
50:20:00
45:55:00
95:45:00
24:05:00
24:20:00
24:25:00
23:15:00
48:00:00
kilowatt-hour read
0.00
48.92
80.36
101.10
150.30
206.60
232.90
253.10
270.30
291.20
306.70
368.90
437.20
525.10
564.30
580.10
636.50
785.40
818.10
844.20
859.20
879.50
905.90
1102.00
1189.00
1212.00
1230.00
1267.00
1326.00
1410.00
1431.00
1453.00
1477.00
1506.00
1539.00
Delta kWh
0.00
48.92
31.44
20.74
49.20
56.30
26.30
20.20
17.20
20.90
15.50
62.20
68.30
87.90
39.20
15.80
56.40
148.90
32.70
26.10
15.00
20.30
26.40
196.10
87.00
23.00
18.00
37.00
59.00
84.00
21.00
22.00
24.00
29.00
33.00
Daily kWh average
0.0
37.6
15.5
21.6
24.5
28.2
25.0
21.3
17.2
20.9
15.1
30.9
22.7
21.6
20.8
15.5
18.8
21.4
32.4
23.4
16.9
20.4
24.6
39.8
14.5
22.8
18.1
17.6
30.8
21.1
20.9
21.7
23.6
29.9
16.5
Comments
2X laundry
Gone for 2 days
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Home all day, laundry
Gone all day, both
Gone all day, both
Carey home, Todd work
Gone all day, both
Carey home, Todd work
Weekend
Week days
Weekend
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Saturday
Carey home, Todd work
Weekend
Monday
Gone all day, both
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Weekend
Monday
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
No laundry;
Laundry, vacuum
Home all day, both
Saturday
Before laundry
Laundry
Carey home, Todd work
Carey home, Todd work
Behavior change
• Over-communicate with residents
• Create action plan and how-to list for residents
on saving & controlling electricity usage & money
• Develop an electricity-use budget
• Benchmark household electricity index & daily
kWh average for baseline comparison
• Let residents know fixing problems quickly saves
money
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Behavior change
• Offer seasonal tips to conserve energy (e.g., a
calendar, periodic newsletter, etc.)
• Install sub-metering, if necessary (temporary)
• Launch electrical energy efficiency support
campaign
• Offer some benefit, incentive
• If possible, follow-up and feedback support
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Affordability budget planning
Example: Only afford $100 a month for
electricity
•
•
•
•
•
24 March 2016
= $0.11 per kWh
÷ $0.11 into $100
= 909 kWh per month
÷ 30 days per month into 909 kWh
= 30 kWh per day to receive a bill of $100 (less
customer charge)
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Home energy plan: no cost
No cost action – operating cost
Monthly energy item
Action
Estimated savings each MONTH
Lighting
Off: three 75-w incandescent lights that operate
2 hrs per night.
2% of monthly energy usage
2nd refrigerator
Unplug & recycle second refrigerator
9% of monthly energy usage
Dishwasher
Open door & air dry dishes
1% of monthly energy usage
Refrigerator
Clean coils, provide circulation
1.7% of energy usage
Clothes washer
Only full loads (dryers, too), reduce washing 1/3
per mnth
.25% of monthly energy usage
Computers
Energy savings mode
1% of monthly energy usage
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Home energy plan: low cost
Low cost action – operating costs
Monthly energy item
Action
Estimated savings each MONTH
Lighting
Replace four 100-w incandescent four 27-s CFLs
(“over lamp, lumens, with CFLs)
6% of monthly energy usage
Thermostat
Install ENERGY STAR®-labeled programmable
thermostat
3% of monthly energy usage
Torchiere
Replace any halogen or incandescent torchiere
with ENERGY STAR®
2% of monthly energy usage
Dimmers
Use dimmers, timers, & motion sensors on
incandescent
7% of monthly energy usage
Water heater
Wrap older water heater with insulated blanket
30 kWhs
Faucets
Fix defective plumbing, leaks or dripping faucets
25 kWhs
Window shades
Install window shades, coverings
5% of monthly energy usage
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Welectricity web site
Simple, free online web service
 Helps track & reduce residential electricity
consumption
 A network with feedback ability
 Compare consumption to others
 Set goals, make plans
 Calculates average daily consumption for each
month
 Graphs consumption on a dashboard
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
The trick to lowering baseload





Avoid & alter traditional or conventional habits
& assumptions
Become conscious of how you use energy
(observation, record keeping)
Budget home electric energy use by monitoring
& logging activities
Invest in proven efficient technologies
Make a commitment to yourself & publicize the
goal
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
Accountability & commitment







Commit to a plan; make it
personal; set goals
Don’t wait; benchmark now
Challenge family, schools,
community; compete
Efficiency technology exists;
invest
Building science & knowledge
exits; access
Do not expect outside help
Challenge leaders to focus on
end use first
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
The point: back to the future
2000 - 2008 Dairly kilowatt-hour average
40
5.5 percent decrease per year
35
30
Daily kWh average
25
20
.
15
10
This slope represents an
approximate 45 percent
reduction in electric energy usage
over 8 years
5
A
ug
-0
N 0
ov
-0
Fe 0
bM 01
ay
-0
1
A
ug
-0
N 1
ov
-0
Fe 1
bM 02
ay
-0
2
A
ug
-0
N 2
ov
-0
Fe 2
bM 03
ay
-0
3
A
ug
-0
N 3
ov
-0
Fe 3
bM 04
ay
-0
4
A
ug
-0
N 4
ov
-0
Fe 4
bM 05
ay
-0
5
A
ug
-0
N 5
ov
-0
Fe 5
bM 06
ay
-0
6
A
ug
-0
N 6
ov
-0
Fe 6
bM 07
ay
-0
7
A
ug
-0
N 7
ov
-0
Fe 7
bM 08
ay
-0
8
A
ug
-0
8
0
Usage month
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada
24 March 2016
2010 Energy OutWest
Reno, Nevada