Personal Energy Consumption Estimates

From September 29th through October 1st I recorded my energy consumption from different activities, including using lights, charging my computer, and cooking. In recording my energy use, I did not include using the lights for less than 10 minutes, for instance while using the bathroom, because I discounted this data as "noise" that wouldn't severely effect my overall estimation.

Here are my calculations, by day.

Watt hour (Wh) = watts * hours

Sunday, September 29th

- In room: 60W*1 bulb*1 hr = 60Wh
- On boat: 60W*6 bulbs*1 hr = 360W/10 people = 36Wh
- In library: 60W*3 bulbs*2 hrs = 360W/2 people = 120Wh
- In room: 60W*3 bulbs*6 hrs = 1080 Wh
- 2 computer charges: 60W*3hrs*2 = 360Wh

Sunday Total: 1656Wh

Monday, September 30th

- In Sports Center: 100W*55 bulbs*1 hr = 5500W/25 people = 220Wh
- Class in science lab: 100W*4 barlights*6 rows*2.5 hrs = 6000W/15 people = 400Wh
- In kitchen: 100W*4 bulbs*2 hrs = 800Wh
- Meeting in science lab: 6000W (from above)*1 hr = 6000W/10 people = 600Wh
- In room: 60W*4 bulbs*4.5 hrs = 1080Wh
- 2 computer charges: 60W*3 hrs*2 = 360Wh
- Phone charge: 100V*0.2 A = 20W*3 = 60Wh

Monday Total: 3520Wh

Tuesday, October 1st

- In room: 60W*4 bulbs*3 hrs = 720Wh
- In kitchen: 100W*4 bulbs*1 hr= 400W/3 people = 133Wh
- In science classroom: 6000W*2 hrs = 12000W/10 people = 1200Wh
- In office: 60W*3 bulbs*1 hr = 180W/4 people = 45Wh
- In office: 60W*2 bulbs*1 hr = 180W/2 people = 60Wh
- In living room: 60W*6 bulbs*1 hr = 360W/8 people = 45Wh
- In room: 60W*4 bulbs*6 hrs = 1440W/2 people = 720Wh
- 2 computer charges: 60W*3 hrs*2 = 360Wh

Tuesday Total: 3283Wh

Three day kitchen estimates:

- 2 refrigerators: 600W*72 hrs = 43200W/8 people = 5400Wh
- Cooking with stovetop: 2000W*2 burners*3 hrs total = 12000W/8 people = 1500Wh
- Dishwasher: 1000W*6 washes*1.5 hours = 9000W/8 people = 1125Wh

Kitchen Total: 8025Wh

Three Day Total: 16484Wh or 16.484 kWh

Average energy use per day: 5.5 kWh

Source used: http://www.donrowe.com/inverters/usage_chart.html

I estimate that over three days I used about 16.5 kWh of electricity. This is definitely an underestimate because I didn't count the bulbs closely in every room I was in, or record the exact amount of time in each place. Since the weather was particularly excellent during these three days, I spent a lot of time outside, so I assume that my average daily energy consumption is actually higher. From doing this exercise I realized that my energy consumption is lower on the weekends, when I spend more time outside and less time in class. Also, I spend a lot of time with my friends in Scoop so my personal energy consumption is lower. Kitchen appliances, namely the refrigerators, stove, and dishwasher, consumed the greatest amount of energy by far.