Cloth Diapering costs: 3-year comparison

Cloth diapering costs: diapers, accessories and washing

The following slides show the utilities for the household: natural gas, electricity and water consumption. The data starts in 2006 when we were not cloth diapering a child. The last few slides show estimated diaper and wipes costs for 1 child using cloth diapers for 2 ½ years. Summary of Study

In summary, cloth diapering has NOT made a large impact on our utilities, either usage or cost. There are many sources online that give estimates for washing cloth diapers. This one study only tracks our actual utilities (KWh, Therms and cubic feet of water) used year-to-year. Summary of Study

Starting in May of 2007, we were cloth diapering one child which went through July 2009. Additionally from May 2009 until July 2009 we were cloth diapering 2 children. After July 2009, we were back to cloth diapering one child. Background Information

With one child, diaper laundry was every 2 days, with 2 in diapers it was every day. The clothes washer and gas dryer are standard units that were 6 years old in 2009. We do not have a new high efficiency washer or dryer. The 3 year period of this study was with the same appliances. Background Information

In addition to cloth diapering, starting in early 2008, Quilter’s Nappies has been in business. All of the fabric for the business adds several additional loads of laundry every few months. The fabric is washed in hot water and dried on high heat. Background Information

Diaper laundry did not dramatically increase water consumption, gas usage and electricity usage. The following data does not correlate directly to what a normal family would expect because of the amount of laundry being done for the business, but it’s close. Background Information

Natural Gas Use 2006 to 2009

When viewing the following graphs on natural gas use, you will need to understand the following terms: A Therm is the unit of measure of the natural gas use in the USA defined as "A unit of heat equal to 100,000 British thermal units (BTUs) (1.054 × 108 joules).“ Heating Degree Days (HDD) - A form of degree day used to estimate energy requirements for heating. Typically, heating degree days are calculated as how much colder the mean temperature at a location is than 65°F on a given day. For example, if a location experiences a mean temperature of 55°F on a certain day, there were 10 HDD (Heating Degree Days) that day because 65 - 55 = 10. Natural Gas Information

This chart shows actual gas usage for running: the furnace (heating the house), the hot water heater, the gas range/oven and the gas clothes dryer . There is no average usage like the electric. To average the data, it would average the values over 4 months which skews the results.

This chart shows actual gas usage from the chart above plotted against the number of Heating Degree Days. It shows how the amount of natural gas used every 2 months followed the outside temperature; the colder it was, the more gas used to heat the house. When you look at June of each year, you see there were zero HDD meaning the furnace likely did not run at all that month. The Therms used (about 250) is only the amount of gas used for the appliances, including the clothes dryer

This graph is a combination of the two graphs above with the HDD overlaid on the gas usage. In Feb. you can see the Therms of gas was just over 400 and for that same period in 2009 it was about 550 Therms. Looking at the Heating Degree Days (HDD) you see that the 2-month period Jan. and Feb. of 2009 was colder than in 2006 because there were about 500 more HDD in 2009 compared to 2006

Electric Use 2006 to 2009

When viewing the following graphs on electric use, you will need to understand the following terms: Kilowatt Hour (KWH) is defined as "A unit of energy: the expenditure of one kilowatt of power for one hour.“ Cooling Degree Days (CDD) - A form of degree day used to estimate energy requirements for air conditioning or refrigeration. Typically, cooling degree days are calculated as how much warmer the mean temperature at a location is than 65°F on a given day. For example, if a location experiences a mean temperature of 75°F on a certain day, there were 10 CDD (Cooling Degree Days) that day because 75 - 65 = 10. Electricity Information

This chart shows actual electric usage for running appliances, lights, the air conditioner (to cool the house in summer), etc. The dashed lines are the average use by month. As shown, in 2009, on average, we used less electricity than any other year for almost every month.

This chart shows actual electric usage from the chart above plotted against the number of Cooling Degree Days. It shows how the amount of electricity used every month followed the outside temperature; the hotter it was, the more electricity used to cool the house. Plus, in the periods ranging from the end of Nov. to the beginning of Jan., the electric use goes up because we put up a lot of Christmas lights. When you look at the chart, you can see that from 2006 to 2009 the summers have gotten cooler with 2009 being a very cool summer. Even with that, the electric usage has not changed a lot from year to year.

This graph is a combination of the two graphs above with the CDD overlaid on the electric usage. In the summer months, there's a slight correlation between the temperature and the electric use, again, due to the whole house air conditioner running (an electricity hungry appliance). Looking at the Cooling Degree Days (CDD) you see that Dec. to Feb. of each year has a fairly high electric use even though the air conditioner was not running. This is due in part to the use of many Christmas lights and the furnace fan running.

Water Use 2006 to 2009

This chart shows actual water usage for: watering flowers & garden, showers/baths, washing dishes, washing clothes (+diapers & fabric for wipes)

This chart shows actual precipitation (rain & snow) as reported by the National Weather Service (NWS). The "Normal Precipitation" line on the chart is the monthly average precipitation as reported by the NWS In the months where the actual precipitation was low, especially in 2006 and 2007, a fair amount of water was used for watering the flowers and vegetable garden (we very rarely water the grass!)

Estimated cost of diapers for 1 child for 2 ½ years

The minimum number of diapers you can expect to buy over a 2 ½ year period is roughly 24 to 36. If you only bought prefolds from a large chain store and the diaper covers from the same store, you can expect to spend roughly $200 to $300 over 2 ½ years Est. Cost of diapers: Prefolds

The minimum number of diapers you can expect to buy over a 2 ½ year period is roughly 24 to 36. If you bought the high-end cloth diapers (that go on like a disposable) and covers, you can expect to spend between $600 to $1,000 over 2 ½ years. Est. Cost of diapers: Other styles

The estimated number of cloth wipes you will need is about 45. If you bought my flannel/sherpa 8x8 wipes, you will spend about $70. You will also need 2 large wet bags & 2 small wet bags, a diaper sprayer (so you don’t have to dunk in the toilet) & pins. These will cost about $80. Est. Cost of diapers: Accessories

Time Magazine did an article in January 2008 that said cloth diapers can cost as little as under $300 whereas disposables for the same 2 ½ year time period can cost up to $3,000 Visit www.time.com and search for “Diapers Go Green” By Pamela Paul, Jan. 10, 2008 Est. Cost of diapers: From Time Magazine

For further information on cloth diapering, see my other slide shows on my website or on www.slideshare.net My other slide shows are on the topics of cloth diaper washing and an overview of my business, Quilter’s Nappies Further Information

www.QuiltersNappies.com [email_address]

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Cloth Diapering costs: 3-year comparison

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