How To Calculate Your Home Energy Efficiency Number?
If you're looking to reduce your home's energy consumption and save money on your utility bills, one of the first steps you should take is to calculate your home energy efficiency number. This number will give you a better understanding of how much energy your home uses and where you might be able to make improvements to reduce your energy consumption and improve your overall energy efficiency.
In this blog, we'll take a closer look at what exactly a home energy efficiency number is, why it's important to calculate it, and how you can do so.
What is a Home Energy Efficiency Number?
A home energy efficiency number measures how much energy your home uses per square foot per year. It's calculated by dividing your total energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) by your home's actual square footage. This number gives you a rough idea of how efficient your home is regarding energy usage and how much energy you might be wasting on things like air leaks, inefficient appliances, or poor insulation.
Why Calculate Your Home Energy Efficiency Number?
Calculating your home energy efficiency number is essential for several reasons. First and foremost, it gives you a clear picture of how much energy your home is using, which can help you identify areas where you can make improvements to reduce your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills.
Secondly, knowing your home energy efficiency number can help you compare your energy usage to national averages and identify whether or not your home is using more energy than it should be. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the residential energy sector accounts for about 21% of total U.S. energy consumption. According to the Residential Energy Consumption Survey, 2015. Table CE3.1 and HC10.9, the average U.S. household used about 77 million British thermal units (Btu) in 2015, or nearly 50% more energy than the average car in a year. Homes built since 2000 consumed the same amount of energy as one built in the 1960s, while being on average 27% larger. Of the energy used in U.S. homes in 2015, 55% of it was used for heating and cooling. Water heating, appliances, electronics, and lighting accounted for the remaining 45% of total consumption.
Finally, calculating your home energy efficiency number can also help you determine how much energy you can save by making changes like upgrading to more efficient appliances or improving your insulation. By understanding your home's energy usage and taking steps to reduce it, you can save money on your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact simultaneously.
How to Calculate Your Home Energy Efficiency Number
Calculating your home energy efficiency number is a relatively straightforward process that involves a few simple steps. Here's what you need to do:
1: Gather Your Utility Bills
The first step in calculating your home energy efficiency number is to gather your utility bills for the past 12 months. You'll want to look at your electricity, gas, and water bills, as well as any other utilities you use, like oil or propane.
2: Calculate Your Total Energy Usage
Once you have your utility bills, you'll need to add up the total energy usage in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and gas cubic feet (1 ccf) for all of your bills. This will give you a rough idea of how much energy your home uses in a year.
3: Determine Your Home's Square Footage
Next, you'll need to determine the square footage of your home. This can typically be found on your property tax assessment or by measuring the exterior of your home and multiplying the length by the width.
4: Calculate Your Energy Efficiency Number
To calculate your home's energy efficiency number, divide your total energy usage in kWh and gas cubic feet (1 ccf) by your home's square footage. This will give you a number in kWh per square foot per year and cubic feet per foot per year. For example, if your home uses 15,000 kWh of energy in a year and is 2,000 square feet, your energy efficiency number would be 7.5 kWh per square foot per year.
5: Compare Your Energy Efficiency Number
Once you have your energy efficiency number, you can compare it to national averages to see how your home stacks up. The US Energy Information Administration is an excellent source of home energy national averages.
By calculating your home energy efficiency number, you'll have a better understanding of how much energy your home uses and where you might be able to make improvements to save money on your utility bills. From simple measures like sealing air leaks and adding insulation to upgrading to more efficient appliances and HVAC systems, there are many steps you can take to improve your home's energy efficiency and reduce your environmental impact.
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