HOME ENERGY AUDIT: ENERGY PRODUCTION WORKSHEET ANSWER KEY

Created for the NTEP II program on behalf of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.

Directions: Answer the questions below in the space provided.

1. What is the difference between renewable energy and nonrenewable energy?

Renewable energy is from resources that can be made in a short amount of time or are unlikely to run out. Example = Solar

Nonrenewable energy is from resources that cannot be made in a short amount of time and can be considered irreplaceable. Example = Coal

2. Identify the type of energy or resource in the following statements.

______Coal___________	a.	This type of energy is from ancient swamps and is mined to produce the most amount of electricity.
______Biomass________	b.	This type of resource uses materials that were living (organic material) and changes it by fermentation, conversion of gas and bacterial decay.
______Solar__________	c.	This type of energy uses photovoltaic cells to produce electricity.
______Geothermal_____	d.	This type of energy uses the heated water from the earth's core.
______Wind__________	e.	This type of energy uses the air in motion from the uneven heating of the earth to heat or produce electricity.
______Hydropower____	f.	This type of energy uses the kinetic energy of the water.
______Petroleum______	g.	This type of energy is a fossil fuel and is refined from crude oil making types of fuel and thousands of products.
______Propane________	h.	This type of energy is found by itself, or in petroleum or coal beds.
______Nuclear_________	i.	This type of energy involves the nucleus of a atom.

3. We think that global warming is a fact. If you use less energy, you reduce carbon dioxide that goes into the atmosphere. Here are some appliances you can use the figures given to

estimate the number of hours for each appliance might use to determine the amount of carbon

dioxide produced.

 

Example: 60W / 1000W/kW x 1.6 lb/kWh x 3 h/day x 365 day/yr = 105 lb/yr

Appliance	Voltage	Current	Wattage	CO2	Hours/Year	Annual CO2
Copier	115V	11 A	1, 265 W	1.6 lb/kWh	120	242.88 lb
Printer	120V	5.5 A	660 W
Microwave	120 V	12.5 A	1500 W
TV	120 V	0.6 A	75 W

 

For every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity 1.6 pounds of carbon dioxide is produced.
The copier is used as an example.

 

Answers will vary depending on the estimated number of hours of usage for each appliance.