Transcript Conserving Electricity

Conserving Electricity
kWh
• Electrical energy is measured in kWh =
kilowatt hours
– “kilo” means one thousand
– One kilowatt = 1000 watts
– If you use an appliance that is rated 1000W for 1
hour you will have used 1kWh of energy
• Most appliances are measured in how many
watts they use
– Ex. Light bulbs 100W = 0.1kW or 60W = 0.06kW
How much is 1 kWh???
You have used 1 kWh of energy if....
•You have used a 100 W light bulb
for 10 hours
•Used a 1000 W iron for 1 hour
•You have jogged for 1 hour
•Taken a hot shower for 3 minutes
Meters for Measuring
•Old style meters continuously measure the
amount of electrical energy that is used in
the house or building.
•The power supply company sends a person
to read and record the numbers on each
meter
•Computers calculate the cost
•New Smart meters measure the amount of
energy that is used every hour
•Data is transmitted automatically to the
head office
•Use “Time-of-Use” Pricing
Time-of-Use Pricing
• Power-supply companies
charge different prices for
electrical energy that is
used at different times of
the day
• Prices are the highest
between 9am and 5pm
when the demand is the
greatest = “on-peak” use
• Prices change depending
on the season
Cost to Operate
Making Informed Choice
• The Government of
Canada has set up
regulations that require
companies to put
EnerGuide labels on all
electrical appliances
• Shows how much
energy the appliance
uses in a typical year
EnerGuide Label
How much energy
is used in one year
How the appliance
compares with other
similar ones on the
market
Numbers on the bar
give a range of
efficiency for yearly
use. Left is the
lowest (most
efficient)
Energy Star
A label that identifies a
product as meeting or
exceeding certain standards
for energy efficiency
Phantom Load
Surge protectors have a switch
that can easily turn off all power
to equipment and save you
money!
• Electrical devices are still on even
though you think they have switched
off.
• They are in stand-by mode
• Example: if you have a remote to
turn on your TV... Your TV must be
able to sense that signal, and this
requires energy
• The energy that is used by an
electrical device when it is turned off
is called a phantom load
• Phantom loads can account for 900
kWh of energy use each year