Energy Cost Benefit Analysis Of Commuting And Multi Family Living

November 2 nd Dustin Madden Created for EdTech 630

Background

The Question
Is it more efficient to live near work and commute by bicycle, or to share a household?

Assumptions
One Household vs. Two
Rent?
Electricity?
Energy Requirements of Splitting Household?
Commute
From where?
Bike everyday?
Other Driving

Methodology
Commuting
Odometer
Digital Fuel Economy Display
Monday – Friday
Subtract Estimated Commute from A. Heights
Household Heating
Inputs (dimensions, furnace/duct eff.)
BEES Insulation / Infiltration Min. Req.
Degree Days / Year (NOAA)
Lots of Calculations
BEES?

Results – Daily Commute Time Frame: Total CO2 Released (lbs.) Weekly Total 114.27 Estimated Yearly Total 5,942.00 Estimated Weekly Commute (w/Bike) 19.68 Estimated Yearly Total (w/Bike) 1,023.57 CO2 Savings by Bike Commute: 4,918.43

Results: Heating a 1,500 ft. 2 home vs. 900 ft. 2 1500 ft. 2 home 900 ft. 2 home Annual Fuel Energy Needed (BTU/yr) 175,030,451 128,033,110 Annual Cubic feet of natural gas needed: 175,030 128,033 Annual lbs. CO2 released 20,129 14,724 Annual Natural Gas Cost: $1,750.30 $1,280.33

Results – EnergyStar Homes Annual Fuel Energy Needed (BTU/yr) 66,173,713 Annual Cubic feet of natural gas needed: 66,174 Annual lbs. CO2 released by heating home: 7,610 Annual Natural Gas Cost: $661.74

Comparison – Personal Impact
Energy Use
Small is Beautiful
Energy Efficiency  Huge!
Financial
Buying a home
Heating Costs
Subaru: Gas Costs

Comparison – Personal Impact
Contentment
Combined Family Living
US: Loser!
World: Individualism vs. Collectivism
Personally
Fitness
Leisure Time

Implications for Society
Changes Suggested…
Small Houses
Energy Efficiency
Combined Family Living
Consumerism

Implications for Society
Benefits to Society
Economic
Geopolitical
Social

Limitations of Study
Simplified Home Energy Use Model
Conversion for Natural Gas  CO 2 ?
Capital Costs not taken into account
Non-Commute Driving: Good assumption?
What are the energy costs of building a home?
Is there a correlation between the number of people living together and happiness?
Further Research:

Sources
“ Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard.” Alaska Housing Finance Corporation . Address: http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us/reference/bees.cfm Date Accessed: 11/2/2008
“ Approximate Heat content of Natural Gas”. DOE . Address: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/txt/ptb1304.html. Date Accessed: 10/30/2008
"Frequently Asked Global Change Questions." Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center. Address: http://cdiac.ornl.gov/pns/faq.html Date Accessed: 10/4/2008
“ Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency with ENERGY STAR”. US EPA & DOE . Address: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=about.ab_index Date Accessed: 11/3/2008
Leckie, Jim. More Other Homes and Garbage: Designs for Self-Sufficienct Living. Sierra Club Books. San Francisco, 1981.

Energy Cost Benefit Analysis Of Commuting And Multi Family Living

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Energy Cost Benefit Analysis Of Commuting And Multi Family Living — Presentation Transcript