Energy Consumption

ELECTRICITY USAGE

I have decided to research how much electricity I approximately use on a daily basis. There are many factors in determining energy usage. You must account for what type of home you have (i.e. house, appartment), age of home, number of occupants, number of appliances, type of bulbs used, if you have a pool/spa, type of windows, air conditioning/heating useage, and so on. So here are the factors that relate to me:

Home: Single Family
Age: 1987
Occupants: 2
Appliances:
Refridgerator: Energy Saver (2008) Used: 24 hours/day
Stove: Energy Saver (2008) Used: 3 times/30 minutes each
Microwave: 1 (2000) Not used today
Tv: Large Screen TV Used: 2 hours
Computer: Lap top Used: 3 hours
DVD Player: 1 Not used today
Phone-Cell Phone/Home Phone Used: 2 hours
Washer: 1998 Used: 1 (small wash, cold, short cycle)
Dryer: 1998 Used: 1
Dishwasher: Energy Saveer (2008) Used: 1
Clocks: 3 Used: 24hrs/day each
Lights: 10 Used: 4 hours
Bulbs: 50% Flourecent
AC: Approx. left on 75 degrees/turned off when not home. Used: 24/day at 75 degrees
Fans: 4 (only used when AC off) Not Used
Water Heater: Medium Used: 1 hour total
Water Pump: Well Water Used: 24hrs/day
Toilets: 2 Used: 8 times
Misc.: Fish tank (pump/light) Used: 24hrs/day
Hair Dryer: Daily use Used: 1 for 20 minutes

TOTAL ENERGY USE FOR ONE DAY: 42 kWh

My electric provider is LCEC. Their supplier is Seminole Electric Cooperative which is located in Tampa, Florida. Seminole owns, operates and transmits energy via their power plants to 46 counties in Florida. It utilizes two 650 Megawatt generating units powered by coal, delivered by rail, and obtained from mines in Illinois and Kentucky.

Total Miles Traveled Today: 5 miles/Single occupant
Gas Milage: 25 MPG
Carbon Footprint: 6.5 tons/year of Co2

I'm really aware of my energy usage. I think that energy awareness is not only good for the environment but is also cost effective. There are economical advantages for turning off the AC when not home, turning off the lights when not in a room, and buying enery saving appliances. I have actually convinced others to do the same after informing them of my total electric bill. They have reported back that turning of the AC when not at home during the day nearly cut
their electric bill in half!!! I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't want to cut back their energy
usage. It's the small things that make a difference in your budget. So, I think I make sustainable choices besides driving so far to work.