February 2008

Are You Energy Savvy?

Take the quiz to test your energy knowledge

1.  Which of these use the most electricity in one minute’s time?

        A.  Floodlight

        B.  Hair dryer

        C.  Big screen TV

        D.  Microwave

Answer–B, Hair dryer. Although it’s not typically kept on as long as the other appliances in the list, the common handheld hair dryer uses 1,500 watts. So minute for minute, it’s the largest energy consumer. That’s as much power as a 1.5 horsepower electric motor!

2.  Refrigerators come equipped with an internal heater.

        True

        False

Answer–True. If you switch the moisture control on, heat strips warm the outer surface to eliminate sweating. Keep this switched off unless absolutely necessary (on some models it’s called power saver; in that case, switch it on unless the outside sweats). Heaters are also used for the frost-free feature.

3.  Besides protecting electronics and appliances from spikes, surge protectors also save energy.

        True

        False

Answer–False.

4.  Computers will last longer and use less energy if left on all the time.

        True

        False

Answer–False. Turn your computer off at the end of the day and make sure energy saving settings are chosen to put both the CPU and monitor to sleep between periods of use.

5.  When leaving the room for a short time (five to 10 minutes), it’s best to leave the lights switched on.

        True

        False

Answer–False. There’s no debate if you’re talking about old-fashioned incandescent bulbs. While it’s true that switching fluorescent bulbs on and off frequently may shorten their life, the energy savings from switching them off probably outweighs any lifespan reduction.

6.  How many compact fluorescent bulbs with a comparable light output does it take to use the same amount of energy as one old-fashioned incandescent bulb?

        A.  One

        B.  Two

        C.  Four

        D.  Ten

Answer–C, Four.  Not only do compact fluorescents give the same amount of light for one-fourth the energy, they also last ten times longer.

7.  What aspect of water heating consumes the most energy?

        A.  Tank loss

        B.  Pipe loss

        C.  Thermal siphoning

        D.  Use habits

Answer–D, Use habits. The way you use hot water has the most effect on energy use and your bill. Ways to save include fixing leaky hot water faucets and pipes; installing low-flow showerheads and faucets; using the shower rather than the tub; and limiting the time of showers.

Super-efficient Marathon water heaters virtually do away with tank loss. Even with standard water heaters, tank loss is not the largest factor in energy use. That’s why on-demand water heaters really don’t make sense.

8.  What is the recommended temperature setting for a residential water heater?

        A.  100 degrees

        B.  120 degrees

        C.  140 degrees

        D.  160 degrees

Answer–B, 120 degrees. This setting provides plenty of hot water while saving energy and reducing the chance of burns.

9.  If you only have enough money to upgrade an energy deficiency in one of the following places in your existing home, what is the most cost-effective choice?

        A.  Add insulation to the attic

        B.  Add insulation to the floor

        C.  Add insulation to the walls

        D.  Install replacement windows

Answer–A, Add insulation to the attic. Although all these areas are important, adding insulation to the attic will give the quickest return for the money.

10.  How much can setting the indoor furnace fan to the “ON” position add to your monthly electric bill?

        A.  $5

        B.  $10

        C.  $25

        D.  $40

Answer–C, $25. That’s why it’s recommended to leave the fan in the “AUTO” position so it runs only when the outside unit runs.

11.  Which of these are signs of leaky ductwork?

        A.  High heating/cooling bills

        B.  Increased allergies and respiratory problems

        C.  Children being sucked into heating system vents

        D.  Both A and B

Answer–D, Both A and B. Leaky ductwork is a big problem. Besides wasting energy and increasing your bill, leaky ducts can draw mold, mildew, dust, fumes and other undesirable substances into the living spaces of your home.

12.  How often should your heating system’s filter(s) be changed?

        A.  Monthly

        B.  Quarterly

        C.  When it makes a whistling sound

        D.  What filter?

Answer–A, Monthly. If you have a high-efficiency or electrostatic air cleaner installed, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

13.  Running several small space heaters is more economical than running one central heating system.

        True

        False

Answer–False. If your central heating system is running properly, using it is much more efficient. If your heating system is ailing and you run space heaters on top of that, be prepared for a large energy bill.

14.  Using the fireplace may actually increase your energy bill.

        True

        False

Answer–True. There are two reasons why using a fireplace can increase your energy bill. First, most of the heat goes up the chimney and not into the living space. Second, air needed for combustion can be drawn in from outdoors through cracks around doors and windows.

15.  Having your programmable thermostat lower the temperature inside your home from 72 to 65 at least eight hours a day (when you’re at work or sleeping, for example), may cut how much from your heating bill?

        A.  Two percent

        B.  Five percent

        C.  10 percent

        D.  14 percent

Answer–C, 10 percent. The key is to use a programmable thermostat to do the job. Don’t try this with a regular thermostat; you’ll probably end up using more energy.

How did you score?

11-15 correct:  You’re energy savvy. Bet you have bragging rights to the lowest power bill in your neighborhood.

6-10 correct:  You’re on your way to being energy savvy, but keep studying.

0-5 correct:  Don’t give up! We all had to start somewhere.

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