Energy Efficient Circuitry

For the second action project in Urban Planning we had to build an energy efficient circuit that would be used in a house. I had previously had experience in circuitry from my 5 years working at a store where we built, fixed, and taught people how to build robots. The project was not too challenging but the write up was a little more challenging as it took a little bit more of an imagination than just building something and writing about it.

Description:

           The primary advantages of an electric system as I have proposed is the ease and ability to regulate only the necessary energy to lights and appliances, potentially reducing up to 12% of a home’s energy consumption. In conjunction with green devices, such as Nest and Energy Star approved Washer/Dryer’s, one can expect significant reductions in energy consumption. As denoted in the model, homes conventionally use alternating current as it is much more cost efficient due to a dc cabling system requiring significantly thicker wires as more current passes through at any one time. In addition, AC power is required within transformers for induction to take place, and increase the relatively microscopic current requirements of a single home. Where direct current (both Volts and Current) energizes a wire with steady polarization, alternating current (both Volts and Current) oscillates voltage at 50-60Hz (US).

Calculations:

            [Ohm’s Law] I = V / R

            --------

            Voltage: V = I * R

                            V = .9A * 122.2Ω

                            V = 120v

            Current: I = V / R

                            I = 110v / 122.2Ω

                            I = .9A

            Resistance: R = V / A

                            R = 110v  / .9A

                            R = 122.2Ω

            --------

According to the U.S. EIA – the annual electricity consumption for a U.S. resident is                             10,908 kilowatt-hours.

The U.S. department of energy has expressed the average household energy breakdown to be as follows…

·         Home heating systems, 28.9%   20%

·         Home cooling systems, 14.0%   30%

·         Water heating, 12.9%     40%

·         Lighting, 9.0%    32%

·         Home electronics, 7.1% 10%

·         Refrigerators and freezers, 5.9%           45%

·         Clothing and dish washers, 4.5% 50%

·         Cooking, 3.7%                25%

·         Computers, 2.2%           5%

·         Other, 9.8%                    5%

Red text denotes energy saving per category according to the NRDC and Energy Star.

Weighted savings percentage total: 72.84% of total

Potential annual energy consumption: 7,945 KwH

Cost of 10,908 KwH in Illinois = ~736$

Cost of 9,945 KwH in Illinois = ~536$

                                                   ~200$ saved/year.

                                   And     2963 KwH.