November 2nd

Dustin MaddenCreated 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 CommuteTime 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 CO2? 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.