by Jared Combs
What affects energy use?
- Weather is the primary factor affecting energy use.
- Space conditioning is the single largest energy user in most homes.
- Heating in winter typically requires more energy use than cooling in summer.
- Water heating is another significant source of energy use.
Residential Energy Use and Weather
What affects energy use?
*Source: Energy Information Administration Residential Energy Consumption Survey
Why does the weather have this effect?
The difference between the interior and exterior temperatures of a structure affects how much energy is needed for space conditioning because they affect how much heat flows across the building envelope.
As illustrated above, this difference is typically greater during the winter months, and so there is more heat transfer and more need for space conditioning to maintain comfortable interior conditions.
In these summer conditions, the difference between the outside temperature and the inside temperature is 95˚-70˚=25˚, and heat is flowing from outside the home to inside.
In these winter conditions, the difference between the inside temperature and the outside temperature is 70˚-25˚=45˚, and more heat is flowing from inside the home to outside.
Factors Affecting Residential Energy Bills: Rates
Rate · kWh + Customer Charge = Bill Amount
2020 CDE Lightband Residential Rates Compared to National Average Residential Rates
*National average rates are those reported in the Energy Information Administration (eia) Electric Power Monthly Report. November and December national average rates are the same as those reported for October as actual data is not yet available in the most recent version of the eia report.
Factors Affecting Residential Energy Bills: Energy Use
Rate · kWh + Customer Charge = Bill Amount
Average 24 Hour Summer Residential Load Shape
Average 24 Hour Winter Residential Load Shape
*Please call us at 931-553-7400 or email us energyservices@cdelightband.com if you are experiencing higher than normal usage. We are here to help. We want to help you keep your energy usage as low as possible.