How your score is calculated:
According to BC Hydro, the average household power consumption rate in BC is approximately 11,000 kWh per year (or 30 kWh per day, on average) [1]. The average amount of energy consumption implicated in each energy challenge you can take here is approximated as follows:
Taking the stairs – 0.27 kWh
Calculating elevator energy consumption is complex, depending on the type of elevator (hydraulic, traction geared, traction gearless) load capacity, weight, speed, power of the motor, and usage rates. The score generated for elevator trips here is based on an estimate for a 68 second journey at 272Wh of energy = 0.272 kWh per journey (based on calculations at dothegreenthing [2]).
Switching off your electronic devices – 3 kWh
According to BC Hydro, “the average North American home has 25 or more products that use standby power – devices that are consuming electricity 24 hours a day. Standby power can account for 10% of an average household’s annual electricity consumption..It is estimated that the savings in reducing products that use standby power nationwide to one watt would equal the amount of electricity needed to power 400,000 homes. Emissions reductions would be equivalent to taking a large coal-fired power generating unit offline.” (3)
Turning off the lights – 1 kWh
According to BC Hydro, “lighting in your home accounts for five to 20% of your total household energy use.” (4). Your score assumes you are turning off five unnecessary 100W light bulbs in your home for 2 hours per day (saving 1 kilowatt hour of energy every day that you do this).
Turning down the thermostat – 1.5 kWh
BC Hydro reports that “turning the heat down by just two degrees can reduce your home heating costs by 5%”. (5)
- http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/documents/about/company_information/quick_facts.Par.0001.File.quick_facts.pdf
- http://www.dothegreenthing.com/wiki/display/WIKI/Take+the+stairs+%28not+a+lift%29
- http://www.bchydro.com/guides_tips/green-your-home/electronics_guide/surge_protectors.html
- http://www.bchydro.com/guides_tips/green-your-home/lighting_guide/Turn_Off_Unnecessary_Lights.html
- http://www.bchydro.com/guides_tips/green-your-home/heating_guide/manage_thermostat.html
