Analyzing Energy Audit Data

Name______Class______Date______

Exploration LabCONSUMER

Analyzing Energy Audit Data

One of the best ways to reduce the amount of energy we consume is to reduce waste and inefficiency. A good place to start cutting waste is in the home. Increased energy efficiency saves money and conserves fossil fuels, a resource that is in limited supply.

There are many causes of energy inefficiency. Leaky doors and windows are two examples; they let in a lot of cold air in the winter and a lot of warm air in the summer, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder. Fortunately, such waste can easily be reduced. Weather stripping in the gaps around windows and doors cuts down on the heat loss. Covering windows (which transmit heat much faster than walls or doors) with heavy drapes during very hot or cold weather is another easy, relatively inexpensive way to reduce energy loss.

Many utility companies offer energy audits to their customers. During an energy audit, a house is inspected and evaluated to determine how its energy efficiency can be improved. In this activity, you will conduct an energy audit of your own home or that of a friend. For the sake of safety, work with a partner and follow the procedure carefully.

OBJECTIVES

Make observationsabout specific features on the inside and outside of the home.

Identifypotential areas of energy loss in and around the home.

Plan ways to make changes in and around the home that would result in increased energy efficiency.

MATERIALS

•clothes hanger

•clothespin

•flashlight

•metric ruler

•plastic wrap (or tissue paper)

Procedure

1.Secure permission to carry out the audit from the adult responsible for the home you are checking.

2.Carefully read the energy audit checklist provided. You will use it to carry out the audit. Make sure you understand each item on the list and have a plan for evaluating each item.

Analyzing Energy Audit Data continued

3.Make a draft gauge by attaching a long, thin piece of plastic wrap (or light tissue paper) to a clothes hanger with clothespins. To use the gauge, place it next to the door, window, or fixture to be tested. The wrap or tissue paper will be ruffled by any draft.

4.Carry out the audit with an adult present. Do not touch any electrical wiring.

5.Consider the effectiveness of the insulation in this home. The effectiveness of an insulating material is measured by its R-value, which indicates its resistance to the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value, the better insulator a material is. CAUTION: Do not enter an attic without the supervision of an adult. In most cases, you can measure the insulation in an attic by leaning in rather than actually going inside.

R-Values of Some Common Materials(per cm of thickness)
Material / Blankets, boards, or solid / Loose fill
(poured in)
Brick or concrete / 0.0 / —
Gypsum board(sheetrock) / 0.24 / —
Wood / 0.48 / —
Fiberglass / 1.15 / 0.87
Rock wool / 1.42 / 1.08
Cellulose fiber / — / 1.42
Extruded polystyrene / 1.9 / —

6.Answer the following questions about this home’s insulation:

What type of insulation is in the floor and ceiling of the attic?

______

How thick is the insulation in the floor of the attic? in the ceiling?

______

Based on the table, calculate the R-value of the attic’s insulation.

______

What could you do to improve the R-value of the attic’s insulation?

______

______

______

Analysis

1.Analyzing Data Based on your audits, what improvements in energy efficiency could be made that would be relatively inexpensive but could result in significant savings?

______

______

______

______

Analyzing Energy Audit Data continued

ENERGY AUDIT CHECKLIST
Exterior features / Y / N / S / Y=yes, N=no, S=somewhat / Y / N / S
The outside of the house is in good condition, without cracks or holes / South- and west-facing windows are shaded by overhangs or trees in the summer.
The roof is in good condition, without cracks or holes. / There are bushes, trees, or structures on the north side of the house to serve as winter wind breaks.
South-facing windows receive lots of winter sunlight / Cellar doors and windows (if any) close tightly and do not leak. (Test each with your draft gauge.)
Windows and doors
Storm windows in good condition are available for all windows and are used in winter. / North-facing windows have insulated curtains to prevent heat loss in winter.
Windows fit snugly in their frames and do not admit drafts. (Test each with your draft gauge on a windy day.) / Windows have weather stripping and do not admit drafts. (Test for drafts with your draft gauge.)
South-and west-facing windows have shades, curtains, or blinds to keep out summer sun. / Exterior doors are well sealed and have weather stripping at the sides and bottom.(Test for drafts with your draft gauge.)
Walls, floors, ceilings, attics
All exterior walls have insulation. / Walls are free of cracks or holes.
Exterior wall openings such as switches, electrical outlets, and plumbing fixtures do not admit drafts. (Test with your draft gauge.) / The floor and ceiling of the attic are well insulated.
Ceiling of (unheated) basement is well insulated. / The attic is well ventilated (for summer cooling).
In the kitchen
The rubber seal around the refrigerator door is in good condition, not cracked or broken. The refrigerator exterior is not cold to the touch. / The faucet, especially the hot water faucet, does not drip.
The stove, if gas-powered, has pilotless ignition. / The exhaust fan does not admit a draft. (Test with your draft gauge.)
Miscellaneous
The water heater is well insulated. (If it is well insulated, it will not be hot to the touch.) / Pipes carrying hot water from the water heater are insulated.
The basement, if heated, is well sealed and insulated; its walls contain no cracks or holes. / All bathrooms are equipped with low-flow shower heads. (These use less than 8 L of water per minute. Test to find out.)
All faucets use water-saving faucet attachments. / Heating, cooling, or air-intake ducts are not obstructed in any way
Unused rooms are closed off, and their heating and cooling vents are shut.

Analyzing Energy Audit Data continued

2.Analyzing Data What changes would you make if you had an unlimited budget?

______

______

______

______

______

______

3.Recognizing Patterns In what month does your home typically use the most energy? How does this relate to the kind of climate in which you live?

______

______

______

Conclusions

4.Evaluating Data Carefully review the information you recorded on your energy audit checklist. Write a brief summary of your findings in the form of a report with recommendations.

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Holt Environmental Science1Nonrenewable Energy

TEACHER RESOURCE PAGE

Exploration LabCONSUMER

Analyzing Energy Audit Data

Teacher Notes

TIME REQUIRED One-hour home activity and one 45-minute period

SKILLS ACQUIRED

Collecting data

Interpreting

Organizing and analyzing data

RATINGS

Teacher Prep–1

Student Set-up–2

Concept Level–1

Clean Up–1

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Make Observations Students make observations while conducting the home-energy audit.

Analyze the Result Students organize and analyze the data to assess the energy efficiency of specific areas in and around the home.

Draw Conclusions Based on information gathered in the energy audit, students prepare a report, which summarizes the findings and makes recommendations.

SAFETY CAUTIONS

There are many potential dangers associated with this home energy audit. Students should perform this lab with adult supervision. It is strongly recommended that you secure a signed agreement that parents will assist with this audit before students are allowed to participate. Appropriate filter masks are necessary for all individuals analyzing insulation materials and entering areas that may have a high concentration of airborne particulate matter, such as attics and basements.

TIPS AND TRICKS

Students may have appliances that are not listed in the table. If they want to include these in their survey, suggest that they take the energy consumption value directly from the appliance (if it is listed there), or choose a similar appliance from the table.

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Holt Environmental Science1Nonrenewable Energy

TEACHER RESOURCE PAGE

Name______Class______Date______

Exploration LabCONSUMER

Analyzing Energy Audit Data

One of the best ways to reduce the amount of energy we consume is to reduce waste and inefficiency. A good place to start cutting waste is in the home. Increased energy efficiency saves money and conserves fossil fuels, a resource that is in limited supply.

There are many causes of energy inefficiency. Leaky doors and windows are two examples; they let in a lot of cold air in the winter and a lot of warm air in the summer, causing your heating and cooling systems to work harder. Fortunately, such waste can easily be reduced. Weather stripping in the gaps around windows and doors cuts down on the heat loss. Covering windows (which transmit heat much faster than walls or doors) with heavy drapes during very hot or cold weather is another easy, relatively inexpensive way to reduce energy loss.

Many utility companies offer energy audits to their customers. During an energy audit, a house is inspected and evaluated to determine how its energy efficiency can be improved. In this activity, you will conduct an energy audit of your own home or that of a friend. For the sake of safety, work with a partner and follow the procedure carefully.

OBJECTIVES

Make observationsabout specific features on the inside and outside of the home.

Identify potential areas of energy loss in and around the home.

Planways to make changes in and around the home that would result in increased energy efficiency.

MATERIALS

•clothes hanger

•clothespin

•flashlight

•metric ruler

•plastic wrap (or tissue paper)

Procedure

1.Secure permission to carry out the audit from the adult responsible for the home you are checking.

2.Carefully read the energy audit checklist provided. You will use it to carry out the audit. Make sure you understand each item on the list and have a plan for evaluating each item.

Name______Class______Date______

Analyzing Energy Audit Data continued

3.Make a draft gauge by attaching a long, thin piece of plastic wrap (or light tissue paper) to a clothes hanger with clothespins. To use the gauge, place it next to the door, window, or fixture to be tested. The wrap or tissue paper will be ruffled by any draft.

4.Carry out the audit with an adult present. Do not touch any electrical wiring.

5.Consider the effectiveness of the insulation in this home. The effectiveness of an insulating material is measured by its R-value, which indicates its resistance to the transfer of heat. The higher the R-value, the better insulator a material is. CAUTION: Do not enter an attic without the supervision of an adult. In most cases, you can measure the insulation in an attic by leaning in rather than actually going inside.

6.Answer the following questions about this home’s insulation:

What type of insulation is in the floor and ceiling of the attic?

R-Values of Some Common Materials(per cm of thickness)
Material / Blankets, boards, or solid / Loose fill
(poured in)
Brick or concrete / 0.0 / —
Gypsum board(sheetrock) / 0.24 / —
Wood / 0.48 / —
Fiberglass / 1.15 / 0.87
Rock wool / 1.42 / 1.08
Cellulose fiber / — / 1.42
Extruded polystyrene / 1.9 / —

Insulation types may vary.___

How thick is the insulation in the floor of the attic? in the ceiling?

Insulation thickness may vary.

Based on the table, calculate the R-value of the attic’s insulation.

R-values may vary______

What could you do to improve the R-value of the attic’s insulation?

Adding more insulation or changing the type of insulation could improve the___

R-value______.______

Analysis

1.Analyzing Data Based on your audits, what improvements in energy efficiency could be made that would be relatively inexpensive but could result in significant savings?

Answers may vary but may include putting weather stripping around doors and windows, installing drapes, cleaning heating and cooling system filters, patching holes in walls or roof, etc.______

______

Name______Class______Date______

Analyzing Energy Audit Data continued

ENERGY AUDIT CHECKLIST
Exterior features / Y / N / S / Y=yes, N=no, S=somewhat / Y / N / S
The outside of the house is in good condition, without cracks or holes / South- and west-facing windows are shaded by overhangs or trees in the summer.
The roof is in good condition, without cracks or holes. / There are bushes, trees, or structures on the north side of the house to serve as winter wind breaks.
South-facing windows receive lots of winter sunlight / Cellar doors and windows (if any) close tightly and do not leak. (Test each with your draft gauge.)
Windows and doors
Storm windows in good condition are available for all windows and are used in winter. / North-facing windows have insulated curtains to prevent heat loss in winter.
Windows fit snugly in their frames and do not admit drafts. (Test each with your draft gauge on a windy day.) / Windows have weather stripping and do not admit drafts. (Test for drafts with your draft gauge.)
South-and west-facing windows have shades, curtains, or blinds to keep out summer sun. / Exterior doors are well sealed and have weather stripping at the sides and bottom.(Test for drafts with your draft gauge.)
Walls, floors, ceilings, attics
All exterior walls have insulation. / Walls are free of cracks or holes.
Exterior wall openings such as switches, electrical outlets, and plumbing fixtures do not admit drafts. (Test with your draft gauge.) / The floor and ceiling of the attic are well insulated.
Ceiling of (unheated) basement is well insulated. / The attic is well ventilated (for summer cooling).
In the kitchen
The rubber seal around the refrigerator door is in good condition, not cracked or broken. The refrigerator exterior is not cold to the touch. / The faucet, especially the hot water faucet, does not drip.
The stove, if gas-powered, has pilotless ignition. / The exhaust fan does not admit a draft. (Test with your draft gauge.)
Miscellaneous
The water heater is well insulated. (If it is well insulated, it will not be hot to the touch.) / Pipes carrying hot water from the water heater are insulated.
The basement, if heated, is well sealed and insulated; its walls contain no cracks or holes. / All bathrooms are equipped with low-flow shower heads. (These use less than 8 L of water per minute. Test to find out.)
All faucets use water-saving faucet attachments. / Heating, cooling, or air-intake ducts are not obstructed in any way
Unused rooms are closed off, and their heating and cooling vents are shut.

Name______Class______Date______

Analyzing Energy Audit Data continued

2.Analyzing Data What changes would you make if you had an unlimited budget?

Answers may vary but may include installing new high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners (or installing a central heating and cooling system), heavily insulating the entire house, making landscaping improvements such as planting deciduous trees on the south side of the house, installing attic fans and storm windows, replacing electric furnaces and stoves (or air conditioners) with gas-powered models, etc.______

3.Recognizing Patterns In what month does your home typically use the most energy? How does this relate to the kind of climate in which you live?

In cold climates, homes typically use the most energy in January, the coldest month. In warm climates, homes typically use the most energy in July or August, the hottest months.______

Conclusions

4.Evaluating Data Carefully review the information you recorded on your energy audit checklist. Write a brief summary of your findings in the form of a report with recommendations.

Summaries may vary but should take note of deficiencies and include a list of__- suggested solutions.______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

______

Original content Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the original content are the responsibility of the instructor.

Holt Environmental Science1Nonrenewable Energy