ENG3315 Energy Audit Report: Residential Area in Brisbane, Australia

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This report presents a comprehensive energy audit conducted on a residential property in Brisbane, Australia. The audit assesses the energy consumption patterns of various appliances and systems within the house, including heating and cooling, hot water, lighting, and personal computers. It details the methodology used, including data collection through power meter readings, energy bills, and LUX meter measurements. The report analyzes seasonal energy consumption, identifies energy management opportunities, and provides recommendations for improving energy efficiency. The findings aim to reduce energy consumption, lower operational costs, and minimize the carbon footprint of the household. Desklib offers a variety of study tools and resources, including similar solved assignments and past papers, to support students in their academic endeavors.
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ENERGY AUDIT
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Contents
ENERGY AUDIT................................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................5
Background..................................................................................................................................5
Principle.......................................................................................................................6
Factors..........................................................................................................................7
Energy Efficiency in Australia.....................................................................................7
Scope............................................................................................................................................7
Methodology........................................................................................................................8
Source of Information and Assumptions.....................................................................................8
THE SITE............................................................................................................................9
General Characteristics of the Site............................................................................................10
General Description of Main Appliances..................................................................................10
Heating and Cooling..................................................................................................10
Hot Water...................................................................................................................11
Lighting......................................................................................................................11
PC...............................................................................................................................11
ENERGY CONSUMPTION..............................................................................................11
Usage Summary.........................................................................................................................12
Overall Consumption and Seasonal Consumption and Relative Charges.................................12
First bill......................................................................................................................12
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Second bill.................................................................................................................13
Seasonal Charges of Energy Consumption................................................................................15
Energy Use Assumptions...........................................................................................................16
Appliances.................................................................................................................16
AUDIT MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS.....................................................17
Overall Summary of Energy of Consumption...........................................................................18
Energy Usage by Application....................................................................................................18
Pie Chart of Breakdown of Energy Consumption.....................................................................19
Bill Details.................................................................................................................................19
ENERGY MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES..............................................................20
Lighting......................................................................................................................................20
Heating and Cooling..................................................................................................................21
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING ACTION PLAN..................................21
CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................23
REFERENCES..................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX........................................................................................................................27
TABLE 1 - LIGHT READINGS WITH LUX METER............................................................27
TABLE 2 – ESTIMATED CALCUATIONS FOR LIGHTNING USAGE.............................29
TABLE 3 – ESTIMATED ENERGY USAGE.........................................................................30
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ENERGY AUDIT
INTRODUCTION
An energy audit is a process with viable and potential survey of inspection for the energy
flows anlaysis for performing energy conservation, in a particular house or in a system. The
objective of the audit system is to reduce the total energy input into the system with no negative
output affects.
The path of energy audit directs to the energy efficiency implementation. Inefficient and
potentially huge energy consumed equipment has to be replaced with efficient equipment. The
goal of the energy audit is to save and reduce the kilowatt hours (kWh) and kilowatts (kW).
There is a small difference between such two measurements. Here, kilowatt is measured as
power rating and kilowatt hours is the actual consumed energy measurement. Energy efficiency
implementation results in reduced carbon footprint, through reducing the operational costs. The
overall benefit of the energy audit and the expected outcome of energy efficiency
implementation is to improve the quality of life. It plays a vital role to increase the revenue, in
case the consumers make use of the greener product, in the place of non-greener product
(Forsstrom, et al, 2011). Though a house is considered as a basic unit, small changes and the
respective changes in the home energy consumption, can add up to larger savings. The overall
benefits of the same are to decrease the operational costs, carbon footprint to increase or improve
the quality of life.
Background
The power consumption by every electrical appliance, in every house has direct contact
and effect to the greenhouse gasses and so carbon footprint. Hence, every house has been taken
as a basic unit to calculate the contribution of the greenhouse gas emission, by each house. The
process of calculating the power consumption in a house is done through the process of energy
audit. And the energy audit program stands as the key to the program of the energy management.
The process of energy audit has the following stages (Barbara & Wolfgang, 2012).
1. Collection of data and review of the same
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2. House Survey and System Measurements
3. Appliances operating practices observation and review
4. Analysis of data
Hence, energy audit process involves determining the how, why, when and where the
energy is being used. The objective of the energy audit is to identify possible opportunities
towards decreasing the cost of energy and so the emissions of greenhouse gas that eventually
contribute to the climate change can be achieved, all towards improving the efficiency.
The energy audit process applies the law of conservation of energy and the first law of
thermodynamics. According to the law,
What comes in = What goes out
Principle
When a house is the object of the energy audit, then energy consumption reduction, while
improving or maintaining the thermal comfort, human comfort, safety and health become the
primary concerns. It is not just identifying the energy usage source, but it prioritizes the uses of
energy, according to the cost effective opportunities starting from greatest to least, for the savings
of energy.
When a home energy audit is considered, house energy efficiency is evaluated by the
professional auditing engineer by using professional equipment, like infrared cameras and
blower doors, etc. The aim of the home energy audit is usually energy efficiency improvement in
cooling and heating of the interior of the house.
Home energy audit considers several building envelope’s characteristics, like windows,
walls, doors, floors, skylights and ceilings. It makes an estimation of the R-value, which is also
called as resistance to heat flow. The air infiltration or leakage rate of air through the envelope of
the building is taken as concern, as these are affected strongly, by door seals quality and window
construction, like weatherstripping. It quantifies the overall thermal performance of the building.
The energy audit process also involves the assessment of the mechanical systems’s physical
condition, efficiency and programming, like ventilation, heating, air conditioning, thermostat and
equipment (Yezioro, et al, 2008). The process of auditing is easier and accurate, when the billing
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history of the homeowner is made available, as it shows fuel oil, natural gas, electricity or other
sources of energy taken for a period of one year two years.
Factors
The energy audit process becomes more accurate, when the climate, behaviour and age of
the home are taken as important factors.
Energy Efficiency in Australia
The efforts to improve the energy efficiency by the country is initiated and being led by
the Australian National Government. The effort is continued majorly with Department of
Industry and Science. A National Strategy on Energy Efficiency contract is agreed by the Council
of Australian Governments that represents each of the Australia’s territory and state, in July,
2009. The plan is of, ten year, in which the energy efficient practices nationwide implementation
is accelerated for the transformation of country into the future of low carbon. There are many
energy usage areas addressed under this NSEE (Thumann & Albert, 2012). The new adopted
energy efficiency stresses on four major points, to achieve the energy efficiency state levels, as
the following.
1. To streamline the efficient energy adoption
2. To help transitioning the businesses and households to a future of low carbon
3. For governments to lead the energy efficient way and work with partnership
4. To enable the houses and buildings with more energy efficient
Scope
The audit process and report covers the most of the power and energy utilized in a
particular residential place, which is located in Brisbane, in Australia. The major power
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consuming elements at home, are users of major socket power, lighting systems and high power
non-socket power consumption, using systems, that includes even stove and oven.
The entire house energy consumption is measured using power meter and LUX meter. So,
most and primary power points, equipped in the house are considered for the report, though
certain power points, such as for washing machine and study rooms are either of no easy access
or inaccessible to switch on and off the power points. So, the overall and major affected areas
power consumption is estimated.
The results obtained from the condition survey have been listed. The scope of the energy
audit is limited to the internal and external sockets and appliances, present in the house. Each of
the energy inputs is pointed and located, within the house (Matar, 2015). From this energy inputs,
major energy consuming points are listed and noted, for further reference. Then the audit scope
checklist is made.
Methodology
Since every home has lights, the respective light efficiency is measured by LUX meter
and the standard of manufacturer to provide the standard of lighting power. The overall energy
usage and relative cost in a particular house is created through consumption and cost of
electricity, consumed and compared quarterly, for the 2010 and 2011 years. The relationship in
between the total energy usage and seasons, in a quarter, is shown as a graph. A wireless energy
monitor was inspected and used so that the consumption pattern range can be broadened and the
stored data has been collected. The respective data indicates the periods that have most energy
usage.
The lighting efficacy, manufacturer specification and a LUX meter are used for the usage
of power for each of the inspected light measurement (Yezioro, 2008).
Source of Information and Assumptions
A wide range of sources have been considered to gather the information for this report,
after selective evaluation. The primary sources for the report are power meter reading, power bill
information, wireless energy meter readings, estimated daily run times, readings of LUX meter
and socket power consumption meters. Apart from that there is also other evaluation done, such
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as electrical equipment on the website of manufacturer, for estimation of the respective power
usage.
The power consumption estimation is done in the period of winter and so the respective
season’s power readings are taken after measurement. It is specified because of the fact that the
kind of equipment used for seasons also varied and so the power consumption and readings.
Multi-phase system’s power consumption is measured by using wireless power meter, including
the air-conditioner. It is because of the fact that the multi-phase meter was unavailable during the
period of audit.
The house of audit contains three power meters, hence it is assumed that each meter is
measured against a single phase of power from the mains. The reason for making this assumption
is that while the total overlayed usage of power is inspected for each quarter, for each meter and
the plots were made and the result is a significant pattern. Usually, all these power meters are the
same for both the trough months as well as the peak months, where the peaks do occur during
period of weather condition, which is warmer. An excess of 10 kW has been assumed for the fact
that air-condition is run through the power of three phases and it is considered as a valid
assumption.
It is known fact that the air-conditioner is considered as a major usage of energy, per
phase, it is difficult to estimate, at what phase, which part of the home’s overall power
consumption is made. However, there are certain differences and signs, in the overall usage of
power for each phase and the same determines the point of usage of power.
THE SITE
The house is located in a city Brisbane, in Australia. Energy billing history is considered
from a few months and just a previous year. The energy audit has been done in dwelling and the
process is started with the visual inspection of the equipment and areas. The inspection is
conducted by understanding and anlayzing the ventilation system towards better analysis of the
light and heat inflow and outflow. Then a survey has been made with the checklists of the
appliances existing and their frequency of usage.
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General Characteristics of the Site
The occupants dwelling inside the house are contacted for the interview. The occupants
are interviewed, to know their day to day habits of applications of the electrical appliances. So, it
becomes the basis of how much and what are the electrical appliances are running in a day. The
occupants are also asked for their staying time in the house, to understand the constraints in the
timing and the operation and access time to facilities of the electrical appliances (Tuominen et al,
2015). Various resources that they have been using are also investigated, to investigate, whether
any alternative or renewable energy resources, such as solar system or wind power energy has
been used or not.
The house contains the main consumers of power, as the electrical appliances that take
higher power with lower times of operation. The other category is the electrical appliances of
low power consumption having higher operational times. Usually, power users use such kind of
electrical equipment at the house and so inspection has to focus majorly on these main points,
while the audit is performed. The impact of the small power consumers, who make use of the
phone chargers, etc., is usually smaller and still these things are also inspected and measured for
the impact on the overall consumption of power at home.
For instance the low operational time and higher power appliances are microwave, oven,
kettle, vacuum cleaner, iron and stove top. On the other hand, the high operational time and
lower power consumed appliances are usually, the electrical appliances operating most of the
time, both during the night and day. Such things are usually, freezer, fridge, fans, fridge freezer,
etc., which are more prominently used during the summer. The lights are used continuously,
however these lights continue only for half a day. The same is applied to the televisions,
especially, LCD televisions. There are many other standby devices and they have minimum
impact to the overall consumption of the power, in the auditing house.
General Description of Main Appliances
Heating and Cooling
The main focus on the heating and cooling elements is that air-conditioning system. The
auditing house consists of a major system of heating and cooling, as reverse cycle is also ducted,
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for air conditioner. However, the major usage of the air-conditioner is for cooling and so used for
the period of summer, though it is used occasionally, especially, during the afternoons of winter.
So, a single major contributor for the overall consumption of power is deeded to be the air-
conditioner, throughout the year (Barbara & Wolfgang, 2012). The same is learned by monitoring
the power meter, from the average usage of constant power, which is close to 0.7 KW, instantly,
the consumption of power jumps to 10 KW excess, right after turning on the air-conditioner. A
three phase power point is used for powering the air-conditioner.
Hot Water
The house that is being audited has a single station of hot water. The station is powered
with gas and is manufactured to work with highest rating of star, in terms of efficiency. Since this
audit system measures only electrical power, this gas system is ignored and uncovered in this
report.
Lighting
The system for lighting is majorly, halogen down lights having compact fluorescent
lighting. It is used partially, at the house. The main light source is in a kitchen, which is a twin,
short, linear, white linear fluorescent tube. It eliminates the need for halogen down lights,
providing enough light, in the living area.
PC
The auditing house has the set-up for two personal computers, which are configured to be
from moderate to high end and are regularly used. And apart from that, there are also many
‘plug-ins’ for connecting to the computers. Such devices range from extra cooling fans to the
additional external screens (Brown et al, 2008). Mostly used laptop is placed in the study room.
It is considered for the audit report, because it is used for the need of instantaneous requirement
for the device. The laptop power rating from the specification of the charger is considered to be a
reference point and found to have 150 watts. Measurement is also done for another set-up of the
personal computer and the results are again analyzed.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The energy audit has been conducted for a house that is not very old, but of total five
years of age. The audit has found the fact that this particular house has got its power bills
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increasing to higher incremental stages, from the first power bill to the second power bill. Such
houses are the important concern, in the national interest, since they are primary reasons for the
incremental global carbon footprints (Energiewende, 2014).
The average and most frequently used domestic energy consumption in the houses are
majorly from the following appliances, such as,
Heating
Lighting
Cooling and refrigeration
Hot water
Cooking
Washing and drying
Miscellaneous electric load
Usage Summary
The usage summary gives an analyzed report of what and how the power has been
consumed and the best part is that the power consumed compared and summarized according to
various elements. According to the usage summary of the report bills,
Overall Consumption and Seasonal Consumption and Relative Charges
First bill
Total average usage per day is 13.22 kWh, which has incurred the cost of $4.39 for a
single day. Daily usage and cost per day have been increased from 10.62 kWh in the previous
year to 13.22 kWh, in this year. The summary bill also clearly shows the total greenhouse gas
emissions resulted from the power consumption of the electrical appliances in this house. The
summary also shows the percentage of increase or decrease from the previous year. So, the total
greenhouse gas emission for this year is 1.1 tonnes, which is an increase from 0.9 tonnes.
So, the increased usage of daily power usage in this year = 13.22 – 10.62 kWh = 2.6
kWh,
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which is considerably, more for a house, for a smaller element, when seen as the total number of
houses, in a country and continent.
And the total increase of the greenhouse gas emissions, in this year = 1.1 – 0.9 = 0.2
tonnes.
And another element of concern here is that there is no provision or facility for the Green
Power that can decrease the carbon footprint to a considerable extent (Diesendorf & Mark,
2007).
So, the total increase of power usage daily = 24.48%
Jan, 2017 Jan, 2018
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Usage of Power
Daily Usage
Chart 1: Power usage in consecutive years
During the peak period,
Total usage of power = 767 kWh
Charges for power = $187.99
During the lean period, the total usage of power = 436 kWh.
Total usage of power = 436 kWh
Charges for power = $68.80
Second bill
Total average usage per day is 15.20 kWh, which has incurred the cost of $4.98 for a
single day. Daily usage and cost per day have been increased from 14.39 kWh in the previous
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year to 15.20 kWh in this particular year. The summary bill also clearly shows the total
greenhouse gas emissions resulted from the power consumption of the electrical appliances in
this house. The summary also shows the percentage of increase or decrease from the previous
year. So, the total greenhouse gas emission for this year is 1.3 tonnes, which is an increase from
1.2 tonnes.
So, the increased usage of daily power usage in this year
= 15.20 – 14.39 kWh = 0.81 kWh,
which is considerably, more for a house, which is a smaller element, when seen as the
total number of houses, in a country and continent.
And the total increase of the greenhouse gas emissions, in this year = 1.3 – 1.2 = 0.1
tonnes.
And another element of concern here is that there is no provision or facility for the Green
Power that can decrease the carbon footprint to a considerable extent.
So, the total increase of power usage daily = 5.63%
Jan, 2017 Jan, 2018
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Usage of Power
Daily Usage
Chart 2: Power usage in consecutive years
During the peak period,
Total usage of power = 1030 kWh
Charges for power = $252.45
During the lean period, the total usage of power = 399 kWh.
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Total usage of power = 399 kWh
Charges for power = $62.96
Seasonal Charges of Energy Consumption
The power bill has been taken for every three months that contribute from almost 90 days
to 95 days, with the flexibility of maximum two business days. Hence, the corresponding
seasonal changes can be found for each of the usage period of power. Hence, for the two
considered bills, the seasonal power consumption has been presented, as under (Huesemann et al,
2009).
Jan, 2017 Jan, 2018 May, 2017 May, 2018
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Usage of Power
Daily Usage
Chart 3: Power usage in two consecutive quarters
The above chart shows that there is an incremental change from Jan to May, in both the
sample years considered and taken. It shows the fact that there is a probability of increase of the
power consumption, in this particular season.
At the same time, there is an additional data made available in the bills, about more
months, regarding the varied power consumption in each of the quarter, in both the current and
previous years. So, the varied power consumption from January, 2017 to January 2018 have been
presented and compared using the following chart.
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Jan, 2017 Apr, 2017 Jul, 2017 Oct, 2017 Jan, 2018 Apr, 2018
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
10.09
13.01 12.5 12.5 12.6
15.01
Usage of Power
Chart 4: Varied power consumption in consecutive seasons, in consecutive years
Energy Use Assumptions
There are certain assumptions made to measure the usage of energy by the air
conditioner, lights and appliances, operating time of the respective equipment, etc. The
occupants’ average daily appliance habits are considered to be the key point and estimated
operation is deduced. Certain assumptions are considered, on the basis that the usage of total
power does not get excess, compared to the total and not exceeding below (ICER, 2010).
The utility bills are considered as the basis for the audit. Then the metered data is
extracted from each of the energy inputs. Then the applicable utility rate structure is extracted
and utilized.
Appliances
The appliances used in the house range from higher power consumption to lower power
consumption. The major cooling and heating appliance is the air-conditioning system, along with
the other regularly used appliances, such as lights, fans, geezer, etc.
Though there are hundreds of appliances that run with the power do exist in the house,
only the appliances that have been plugged continuously, are considered. For instance, there are
appliances that have the usage for just 10 minutes, in yearlong (Andreas et al, 2015). Such
systems are in contrast to the some of the systems, like entertainment systems and so are
considered to have insignificant usage of power. A standard socket power meter is used to take
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the measurements available and the resulting readings are well tabulated. However, for the
appliances that have less access, like main fridge, its power usage is estimated and found by
searching the closest model match and comparison, from the relevant reputed website. There are
certain appliances that are both unmeasurable and inaccessible, with no licensed electrician
supervision, and a home wireless energy monitor is used to measure the change in power
displayed on it, when the appliance is turned on. The results are again tabulated. Such appliances
are majorly, air conditioner, stove, oven, etc. Though the finding of usage cannot be done
accurately, this method is found to be cheapest and safest, by far and so this system has been
adopted.
The average time is estimated through calculation of the operational power usage
estimation done for each of the appliance, while considering the load approximately the
appliance is under. The modified watt appliance usage is then multiplied by the estimated values,
by the appliance watt usage, so that daily usage pattern can be provided. It was multiplied by 90,
further, so that the approximate appliance usage can be found over a period of three months that
represent the interval of quarter and billing (Matar, 2015).
AUDIT MEASUREMENTS AND CALCULATIONS
Initially, the audit is performed for lighting component, for the area of house having the
facility of the switch lights. LUX meter has been used for making the measurements, where the
position of meters is done at majorly used locations, like at the table centre, etc. Hence, the
actual LUX amount of light is provided, as experienced by the occupant. All the usage of wattage
is considered and calculations are made, based on the specifications from the manufacturer. So,
some error level is also expected, because the overall consumption is done, based on certain
estimations and assumptions (Tuominen et al, 2015).
The light average usage is estimated, according to the manufacturer specified maximum
power consumption and the operational power usage is estimated, for calculation of each of the
area. Extension of 90 days is done for the average usage to estimate the overall power usage per
quarter, approximately.
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Overall Summary of Energy of Consumption
The overall summary of energy of consumption for two consequent quarters is given as
the following.
Period Total Consumption
Quarterly Cost
(Excluding GST)
Consumption
Index Emissions
KWh GJ in $ MJ/m2 tCO2-e
14 Oct 2017 to 16
Jan 2018 1787.373 6.434542799 364.77 23.53354839 1.7828439
13 Jan 2018 to 16
Apr 2018 2091.957 7.531045199 426.93 27.54387097 2.0870235
Table: Energy Consumption Comparison and Relative Cost & Performance
Energy Usage by Application
Major sources of energy are considered and the breakdown of energy consumption is
done, on the basis of cost.
Application Power Usage Total Cost in $
Heating 156235 30.32773305
Cooling 956852 185.740404
Kitchen 355695 69.04613568
Lights 385465 74.82497277
Study 128563 24.95615159
Remaining 542698 105.3464337
Total 2525508 490.2418308
Table: Estimated Energy Consumption and Cost by Application
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Pie Chart of Breakdown of Energy Consumption
Heating
3%
Cooling
19%
Kitchen
7%
Lights
8%
Study
3%Remaining
11%
Total
50%
Power Usage
Chart: Power Usage Breakdown
Bill Details
It is ensured that there are no errors in the calculations and so all the bills made available
after the process of audit are re-calculated thoroughly and accurate calculations were ensured for
the energy companies. This is to assure that there is no involvement of the over-charging.
Each of the bills is taken and the respective values are noted down. Consumption of
energy is taken and noted, for periodical time. The bill details are checked against the periodical
data relevant consumption drivers.
At this point of time, profile energy use patterns is drawn and analyzed. Ideally, energy
usage pattern is to be developed for gas flow, humidity, airflow, light level, pressure, temperature
must be measured, along with the electrical power. However, the study and report is limited to
analyze the pattern of the electrical power and so the same has been performed, in the study.
Electrical power and energy usage has been recorded from the logged data over some specific
intervals of time, like starting from one minute and goes till one hour and also one day.
From the profile energy use patterns, inventory energy use has been anlayzed for better
understanding. Drawings and specification of each of the facility and equipment has been done
with rough sketch. The data of the equipment, regarding the power rating, etc., is collected from
the manufacturers’ specifications of the same appliances. And respectively, consumption of
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power is calculated. And simultaneously, temperatures, flow rates are measured and calculated,
though not used in the power consumption calculations. Ideally, condition of each of the
electrical appliances has to be checked, so that power consumption levels of each of the
appliance can be understood (Dietz et al, 2009). However, only the major and high powered
electrical appliances are considered for the same and energy usage inventory is roughly noted.
ENERGY MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The major objective and expected positive outcome of the energy audit is to identify the
energy management opportunities, so that the occupants or the homeowners can start working on
reducing their share or contribution to the greenhouse gas emission, by reducing the carbon
footprints, on behalf of their home.
Energy management opportunities for the house that is being audited in Brisbane, in
Australia has been conducted to identify, such opportunities. The process is started with the
listing and anlayzing the energy inventories and the respective balances. Walk-through into each
of the room and area of the house, has allowed noting down each of the appliances and the
respective reduced utilization, to reduce the power consumption. There are certain appliances
selected, where there are opportunities for better management of energy. Then, respectively,
EMO checklist has been made (Huesemann & Joyce, 2011). The checklist shows the following
appliances that have the opportunity to reduce the energy consumption.
Lighting
Total energy use by application is broken down and certain power is used in the home
lighting system. The overall consumption of approximately 17% is because of the lighting
system present in the house. So, this power consumption and so the cost of the lighting system
has to be reduced to a possible extend and so the recommendation for the system is to adapt to
the usage of the lighting systems with higher efficiency. Cool white short fluro tubes are already
installed in the kitchen, two LED down lights, a round fluro tube in the study area.
Since the major lighting system in the home is based on the Halogen down lights, the
more cost effective alternative should be replaced with the existing halogen down lights, since
the major lighting is from the Halogen down lights, like heat and light output, high power output
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and high powered bulbs. LED down lights should be replaced with. The only problem with such
low powered light bulbs is the initial cost. In case the fittings of the halogen have to modified,
the overall cost demands overall 77 years to overall current tariffs to re-pay. It is because of the
LED light’s high initial cost, relatively.
A large amount of energy can be saved through changing the high run time down lights.
Money can be saved by the occupants, by changing the dining room, garage entrance, halogen
down lights of Dining room, to better and efficient LED down lights. However, it is possible
after 32 years, having the usage to continue and cost per kWh continues to be constant. There
will be reduction of the saving time, exponentially, because of the energy price constant rise.
And the lighting facility in any house can be optimized by relying on the natural light,
which could replace the power consumption used for the purpose of lighting. During the day
time, there is abandoned sunlight available to almost any dwelling in the world. So, it is
important to keep open the doors and windows, when the temperature is comfortable and as long
as thermal comfort are felt by the occupants in the house. It is ever best method to potentially
utilize the natural light resources, rather than relying on the expensive fossil fuels (Lovins,
2012).
Heating and Cooling
Heating and cooling are the important aspects of any house, as every occupant wishes to
feel thermal comfort. So, again the natural heating and cooling system, from the external weather
is an important source and so the same can be set accordingly. Keeping the doors and windows
open, as long as enough light and thermal comfort temperature is found outside. It can reduce the
power consumption both by the air-conditioning system as well as the geezer and heating
systems, equipped in the house (ICER, 2010).
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING ACTION PLAN
There are certain recommendations made for EMO. This process is done by assessing the
costs and benefits of the new action plan made. Action plan is taken place, by comparing the
energy consumption of the existing appliances and energy consumption of the proposed usage
methods of the appliances. Then the respective incremental cost of energy is also calculated, so
Document Page
that the direct reduction of the energy can be shown. In fact, the proposed solution shows only
the cost saving in terms of utilization by the end user of energy, however, it also saves the raw
material and fossil fuels used for generating the energy that is utilized. The following step is the
optional existing consumption measurement as well as the optional measurements conditions
(Wright et al, 2011).
The usage of air conditioner can be limited through 40 minutes, everyday, the overall
power usage can be reduced by 430 kW, so that the average bill cost can be reduced, closely to
$80. It shows an overall reduction of 13% of the price of the average billing, to $651.
So, the overall recommendation proposed can be,
SPECIFICAT
ION
RECOMMEND
ATION
RETURNS
TIME
SAVING
COST
Air
Conditioner
Usage
reduction for 40
minutes
0 $80 from
Average Bill
Dining Room
1
LED D/L to
replace 4 Halogen D/L
with
32.26 Years $600
Dining Room
2
LED D/L to
replace 6 Halogen D/L
with
Garage
Entrance
LED D/L to
replace Halogen D/L
with
Table: Recommendations for replacement
Though each of the modification does take some time, effort and also money, these are all
worth, as it not only saves the carbon footprint, but also increases the quality of life. There are
many countries, which have initiated encouragement for the energy consumption savers, by
offering certain benefits at national level (Yezioro et al, 2008). It is all possible, only when both
the government and public come on a single path. The benefit is not only for the environment,
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but also for each of the living being, within, on and above the surface of the earth. So, it is worth
practicing and implementing.
CONCLUSION
Energy audit is a new and potential auditing system to measure the consumption of the
power, in the basic unit or system. The home energy audit system is a system to measure the
energy consumption in a specific house, in detail. The energy consumption gives direct clue and
indication of how much greenhouse gas emission is emitted in tonnes from the usage of the
electrical appliances in the same house. The carbon footprint is also calculated from the same
audit. However, the energy audit system is performed for recommending the energy management
opportunities, after a detailed analysis of the energy consumption, at present. Energy efficiency is
a major key consideration for energy saving prospect in the world, especially, by developed and
developing countries. Hence, Australia has initiated NSEE to reduce the carbon footprint from
the dwellers and businesses from the country.
Home energy audit system is conducted in a specific house in Brisbane, in Australia,
using energy billing history of the same house from several months, before the audit. General
electrical appliances used and the respective characteristics are measured and studied. Then the
main appliances, present in the house are listed out, such as heating & cooling, hot water,
lighting, Personal Computer. The overall energy consumption is calculated from these electrical
appliances to record the usage summary. There are two bills considered, extracting previous
months’ statistics for the summary. The respective energy audit measurements and calculations
are done, to see how much energy is consumed by each of the electrical appliance or by overall
appliances. The bill details are taken as the basis.
Based on the energy usage and consumption, better and energy management
opportunities are explored, based on the electrical appliances used, either by reducing the usage
of the same, by making use of the natural sunlight and heat from the sun. There are also ways to
reduce the operation period, so that each appliance reduces consumption, on an overall, though
in longer period of time. The two major considerations for the same are the heating & cooling
and lighting. There are also detailed recommendations are given including the action plan of
what to be replaced and with what they should be replaced, along with the respective benefits.
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APPENDIX
TABLE 1 - LIGHT READINGS WITH LUX METER
Light
Location
Light Type Total
Lights
Wattage Total
Maximum
LUX LUX
Document Page
Wattage Required
Living
Room
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halogen
Blub
1 42 22 810 140
Master
Bed Room
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halogen
Blub
1 42 22 790 190
Children
Bedroom
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halogen
Blub
1 42 22 790 190
Master
Bathroom
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halogen
Blub
1 15 15 85 80
Children
Bathroom
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
1 15 15 85 80
Document Page
Halogen
Blub
Backyard E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halogen
Blub
1 15 15 85 80
171
TABLE 2 – ESTIMATED CALCUATIONS FOR LIGHTNING USAGE
Light
Locatio
n
Light
Type
Tota
l
Ligh
ts
Estimate
d
Operatio
nal Time
Total
Maximu
m
Wattage
Daily
Operatio
nal Time
Daily
Consumpti
on in Wh
Consumpti
on in 95
Days in
Wh
Living
Room
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halog
en
Blub
1 6 42 0.5 21 1995
Master
Bed
Room
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halog
en
Blub
1 3 42 2 84 7980
Childre
n
Bedroo
m
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halog
en
Blub
1 4 42 2.5 105 9975
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Master
Bathroo
m
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halog
en
Blub
1 4 15 2 30 2850
Childre
n
Bathroo
m
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halog
en
Blub
1 3 15 0.2 3 285
Backya
rd
E 27
Fitting
Fancy
Round
Halog
en
Blub
1 4 15 1 15 1425
Total
Wh
171 24510
Total
KWh 24.51
TABLE 3 – ESTIMATED ENERGY USAGE
Light
Locatio
n
Appliance Total
and
Maximu
m
Wattage
Estimated
Operation
al Time
Daily
Operation
al Time
Daily
Consumpti
on in Wh
Consumpti
on in 95
Days in
Wh
Living
Room
Audio
Speakers
3.1 5 4 12.4 1178
TV 180 6 5 900 85500
Kitchen Stove Top 1100 2 2 2200 209000
Fridge 42 20 10 420 39900
Microwave
Oven 1500 0.3 0.2 300 28500
Stove Exhaust
Fan 120 0.1 2 240 22800
Document Page
Master
Bed
Room
Laptop 1 30 5 5 150 14250
Mobile
Charger
6 1 1 6 570
Childre
n
Bedroo
m
Laptop 2 30 3 3 90 8550
Mobile
Charger
6 1 1 6 570
Backya
rd
Washing
Machine
500 0.1 0.1 50 4750
Total
Wh
414390
Total
KWh 414.39
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