Evan Dittmar – Final

In my opinion, there seems to be three camps when talking about sustainability and the environment. The first says that we are all in trouble; the environment and the human species will meet its untimely demise, unless we make drastic changes in how we live our lives. True cultural shifts in the way we think are needed to “right the ship” in a way. Not exactly where I stand. The other extreme stands at the top of an oil rig and shouts, “Dill Baby Drill” a la Sarah Palin. Not exactly where I stand either. I am what people would call the majority, the 99% if you will. I come from the group of people that recognizes the problems this world has, but believe the problems are far bigger than self and one person’s actions cannot make that big of a difference.
It was because of this ideal that, when tasked with trying to find ways to improve the world we live in, I wanted to find something that people that are your average person, like me, could do and would do. I wanted to find a way people could make changes in the things they have around them in order to help the world without having to change the way they live their life. In my mind that is the only way we will ever see real change because people who have things generally want more things and it has been ingrained in our minds since the dawn of time.
It was at this time that I remembered being a junior here at UW and living in a house off campus. I remembered running down to the basement washer and dyer 4 or 5 times per load, because the washers were inefficient. So I came up with the idea of seeing how much energy updating the appliances could save we use, more importantly washer and dryers.
Have you ever wondered how much energy your common household appliances use? Have you ever wondered how much you might save if you bought new energy efficient appliances? Old, inefficient appliances waste monumental amounts of energy. The impact that, say a government grant or tax break for people to go purchase new energy star appliances (there are currently many out there, however there are none for the purchase of Energy Star Washer and Dryers), would be so great from both an economical standpoint, but also, more importantly, an environmental stand point. The purpose of this paper is to show the difference that energy star appliances can make in terms of the environment, and it will do that by giving a detailed account of the usage and savings of washer and dryers for the customers of Madison Gas and Electric Company. After reading, people will realize not only will they be saving money, but they will also be helping make a difference in our world.
According to the Boston Washer Study, conventional washers use about 40 gallons of water, equivalent to 300 Ibs, to simply wash the average size load of laundry, 6 Ibs of clothing (Durfee 2001). It is also estimated that the average United States home does one load of laundry each day or about 365 loads per year. Because of this, washers are one of the greatest uses of water in homes across the country. Roughly 35 billion loads of laundry annually in the U.S. make up for 2.6% of the total energy uses among residents (Durfee 2001). The actual running of the machine is not what uses the most energy when doing your laundry. It is the heating of the water and the energy used to dry the clothes. This is why the need for energy efficient appliances has come about. Individuals can consume a lot less energy if they use new high efficient appliances because they do 2 things: use less water in the washing process, and during the washing process, they actual remove a great deal of moisture from the clothes themselves making the drying process shorter.
In the Boston Washer Study, they found that, as stated previously, conventional washers used about 2.25 kWh (Kilowatts/hour) of energy and 40 gallons of water (Durfee 2001). However, the energy efficient models they tests reduced water consumption by 41% and overall energy consumption by 50%. Furthermore, because of the enhanced drying techniques used in the washers that would leave less moisture in the clothing when removing them from the water, they found that dryer energy consumption fell 22%.
How does an appliance, in our case a washer and dryer, earn the label “Energy Star”? Energy Star was developed as a joint program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy in 1992 for two reasons: “reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy; and to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort” (Energy Star 2011). Often times consumers feel that being environmentally friendly is expensive and time consuming, so essentially, the label was developed to help consumers make environmentally responsible choices quickly.
In order to earn the Energy Star label, the Washer and Dryer must meet certain standards. As of Jan 1, 2011, a clothes washer must be 37% more efficient than models that do not qualify for the Energy Star label and must be more efficient than the models that simply meet the alternative, but less strict, minimum standards for energy efficiency (Energy Star 2011). The guidelines originated in 1997. Energy Star clothes washers use about 37% less energy and use over 50% less water than regular washers (Energy Star 2011). It is estimated that with the purchase of an energy appliance, you will save enough money via energy to pay for the machine and save enough water to fill three backyard swimming pools.
According the Madison Gas and Electric, they serve 157,000 customers in the Madison, WI and surrounding areas (MG&E 2007). They say that 139,900 of those customers have washer and dryers, of which only 25,000 of them are Energy Star efficient. In the Madison area, they find that the average customer who has a washer and dryer, does about 1.1 loads of laundry per day. Out of the roughly 56 million loads of laundry done in Dane county, 84% of them use a dryer to dry the clothes rather than alternative clothes drying methods. Madison Gas and Electric says that 75% of their customers use electricity for their energy while 25% are on Natural Gas.
Madison Gas and Electric finds that when considering only washers, the average Standard washer uses roughly .087 therms (unit of measurement for natural gas) when using natural gas or 1.41 kWh of electricity per load (MG&E 2007). The Energy Star washer uses .046 therms or .58 kWh respectively. Given the standard 392 loads per year (estimated by MG&E given the 1.1 loads per day) the energy savings per household will be about 198 kWh or 37.5 therms over the course of the year (MG&E 2007). Not only do we see the energy savings, but system wide savings on green house gas emitter savings is also astounding. The equivalent of roughly 92 million lbs of CO2, .109 million lbs of NOx, 0..231 million lbs of SOx (Sulphur Oxides) and 17 million lbs of coal will also be kept from being released into the air (MG&E 2007). The system wide energy savings is equal to 22.8 million kWh and/or 4.3 million therms.
When considering strictly dryers, over the course of one year, the average customer will save roughly 173 kWh or 2.26 thermes. The system wide savings is 19.81 kWh and/or .259 million therms per year. They will also prevent the release of 55.88 million lbs of CO2, .134 million lbs of NOx, .288 million lbs. of SOx, and 14.9 million lbs of coal into the atmosphere (MG&E 2007).
Using blendid averages of both gas and electric water heaters for our calculations, Madison Gas and Electric estimates that if the non-Energy Star washer and dryers were swapped out for Energy Star appliances, there would be a system wide energy savings of roughly 46.2 million kWh and 4.56 million therms per year or enough energy to operate 6400 additional homes (MG&E 2007). That is simply for the Madison Gas and Electric customer base of 157,000 customers, now imagine if that savings was multiplied out for all of the 319 million people in the United States of America? It is unimaginable the amount of energy savings that would be seen.
For those also interested, based on Madison Gas and Electric’s current rates of electricity and gas, we can determine the per household cash savings by making the switch. Currently, for electricity there is a $0.29 charge per day for use, a $0.03 per kWh distribution charge, and a $0.1004 charge per kWh for use. For gas there is a $0.34 per day customer charge, a $0.29 per therm distribution charge, a $.03 per therm administrative charge, and a $.52 per therm usage fee (MG&E 2011). Given that the average person saves 371 kWh and 39.8 therms per year, the person who puts in a new washer and dryer will save about $85 per year.
It is pretty clear the WE can make a very positive impact on the environment by simply making responsible decisions as consumers. You do not have to change your entire life to make a difference in the environment, not to say that changing your life for the environment is bad, it is definitely a very good thing. The point this paper is trying to make is that right here in Madison only 25,000 out of 160,000 people have Energy Star washer and dryers, I would be willing to bet that the ratio of energy star appliances to total users is pretty similar throughout sectors (stoves, refrigerators, etc.). If the government can figure out a way to push people to go out and buy Energy Star appliances, like washer and dryers, we can make a difference, we can make the world a better place.
Awhile back, we sat in our ILS 252 Lab talking about sustainability. I fought to the death that it was impossible because people are not willing to make major changes to the way their lives. They love efficiency and comfort above all things and they live their lives 5 feet in front of their faces. And through this project, I realized I was wrong. I guess in a way, I have already made the world a better place simply by doing this paper.

References
Energy Star. How a Product Earns the Energy Star Label. Energystar.gov, 2011.
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_how_earn

Durfee, David J. Boston Washer Study. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2001.
http://www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2002/rpt/112217.pdf2

Madison Gas and Electric. The Power of Working Together. MGE.com, 2007.
http://www.mge.com/home/saving/

Madison Gas and Electric. Residential Rates. MGE.com, 2011.
http://www.mge.com/home/rates/

Introduction – Washers and Dryers

Have you ever wondered how much energy your common household appliances use? Have you ever wondered how much you might save if you bought new energy efficient appliances? Old, inefficient appliances waste monumental amounts of energy. The impact that, say a government grant or tax break for people to go purchase new energy star appliances (there are currently many out there, however there are none for the purchase of Energy Star Washer and Dryers), would be so great from both an economical standpoint, but also, more importantly, an environmental stand point. The purpose of this paper is to show the difference that energy star appliances can make in terms of the environment, and it will do that by giving a detailed account of the usage and savings of washer and dryers for the customers of Madison Gas and Electric Company. After reading, people will realize not only will they be saving money, but they will also be helping make a difference in our world.

According to the Boston Washer Study, conventional washers use about 40 gallons of water, equivalent to 300 Ibs, to simply wash the average size load of laundry, 6 Ibs of clothing (Durfee 2001). It is also estimated that the average United States home does one load of laundry each day or about 365 loads per year. Because of this, washers are one of the greatest uses of water in homes across the country. Roughly 35 billion loads of laundry annually in the U.S. make up for 2.6% of the total energy uses among residents (Durfee 2001).  The actual running of the machine is not what uses the most energy when doing your laundry. It is the heating of the water and the energy used to dry the clothes. This is why the need for energy efficient appliances has come about. Individuals can consume a lot less energy if they use new high efficient appliances because they do 2 things: use less water in the washing process, and during the washing process, they actual remove a great deal of moisture from the clothes themselves making the drying process shorter.

In the Boston Washer Study, they found that, as stated previously, conventional washers used about 2.25 kWh (Kilowatts/hour) of energy and 40 gallons of water (Durfee 2001). However, the energy efficient models they tests reduced water consumption by 41% and overall energy consumption by 50%. Furthermore, because of the enhanced drying techniques used in the washers that would leave less moisture in the clothing when removing them from the water, they found that dryer energy consumption fell 22%.

How does an appliance, in our case a washer and dryer, earn the label “Energy Star”? Energy Star was developed as a joint program by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy in 1992 for two reasons: “reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants caused by the inefficient use of energy; and to make it easy for consumers to identify and purchase energy-efficient products that offer savings on energy bills without sacrificing performance, features, and comfort” (Energy Star 2011). Often times consumers feel that being environmentally friendly is expensive and time consuming, so essentially, the label was developed to help consumers make environmentally responsible choices quickly.

In order to earn the Energy Star label, the Washer and Dryer must meet certain standards. As of Jan 1, 2011, a clothes washer must be 37% more efficient than models that do not qualify for the Energy Star label and must be more efficient than the models that simply meet the alternative, but less strict, minimum standards for energy efficiency (Energy Star 2011). The guidelines originated in 1997. Energy Star clothes washers use about 37% less energy and use over 50% less water than regular washers (Energy Star 2011). It is estimated that with the purchase of an energy appliance, you will save enough money via energy to pay for the machine and save enough water to fill three backyard swimming pools.

According the Madison Gas and Electric, they serve 157,000 customers in the Madison, WI and surrounding areas (MG&E 2007). They say that 139,900 of those customers have washer and dryers, of which only 25,000 of them are Energy Star efficient. In the Madison area, they find that the average customer who has a washer and dryer, does about 1.1 loads of laundry per day. Out of the roughly 56 million loads of laundry done in Dane county, 84% of them use a dryer to dry the clothes rather than alternative clothes drying methods. Madison Gas and Electric says that 75% of their customers use electricity for their energy while 25% are on Natural Gas.

Madison Gas and Electric finds that when considering only washers, the average Standard washer uses roughly .087 therms (unit of measurement for natural gas) when using natural gas or 1.41 kWh of electricity per load (MG&E 2007). The Energy Star washer uses .046 therms or .58 kWh respectively. Given the standard 392 loads per year (estimated by MG&E given the 1.1 loads per day) the energy savings per household will be about 198  kWh or 37.5 therms over the course of the year (MG&E 2007). Not only do we see the energy savings, but system wide savings on green house gas emitter savings is also astounding. The equivalent of roughly 92 million lbs of CO₂, .109 million lbs of NO_x, 0..231 million lbs of SO_x (Sulphur Oxides) and 17 million lbs of coal will also be kept from being released into the air (MG&E 2007). The system wide energy savings is equal to 22.8 million kWh and/or 4.3 million therms.

When considering strictly dryers, over the course of one year, the average customer will save roughly 173 kWh  or 2.26 thermes. The system wide savings is 19.81 kWh and/or .259 million therms per year. They will also prevent the release of 55.88 million lbs of CO₂, .134 million lbs of NO_x, .288 million lbs. of SO_x, and 14.9 million lbs of coal into the atmosphere (MG&E 2007).

Using blendid averages of both gas and electric water heaters for our calculations, Madison Gas and Electric estimates that if the non-Energy Star washer and dryers were swapped out for Energy Star appliances, there would be a system wide energy savings of roughly 46.2 million kWh and 4.56 million therms per year or enough energy to operate 6400 additional homes (MG&E 2007). That is simply for the Madison Gas and Electric customer base of 157,000 customers, now imagine if that savings was multiplied out for all of the 319 million people in the United States of America? It is unimaginable the amount of energy savings that would be seen.

For those also interested, based on Madison Gas and Electric’s current rates of electricity and gas, we can determine the per household cash savings by making the switch. Currently, for electricity there is a $0.29 charge per day for use, a $0.03 per kWh distribution charge, and a $0.1004 charge per kWh for use. For gas there is a $0.34 per day customer charge, a $0.29 per therm distribution charge, a $.03 per therm administrative charge, and a $.52 per therm usage fee (MG&E 2011). Given that the average person saves 371 kWh and 39.8 therms per year, the person who puts in a new washer and dryer will save about $85 per year.

It is pretty clear the WE can make a very positive impact on the environment by simply making responsible decisions as consumers. You do not have to change your entire life to make a difference in the environment, not to say that changing your life for the environment is bad, it is definitely a very good thing. The point this paper is trying to make is that right here in Madison only 25,000 out of 160,000 people have Energy Star washer and dryers, I would be willing to bet that the ratio of energy star appliances to total users is pretty similar throughout sectors (stoves, refrigerators, etc.). If the government can figure out a way to push people to go out and buy Energy Star appliances, like washer and dryers, we can make a difference, we can make the world a better place.

References

Energy Star. How a Product Earns the Energy Star Label. Energystar.gov, 2011.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_how_earn

Durfee, David J. Boston Washer Study. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2001.

www.ornl.gov/~webworks/cppr/y2002/rpt/112217.pdf2

Madison Gas and Electric. The Power of Working Together. MGE.com, 2007.

http://www.mge.com/home/saving/

Madison Gas and Electric. Residential Rates. MGE.com, 2011.

http://www.mge.com/home/rates/

My Project – Evan Dittmar

How many times have you gone to do your laundry in off-campus housing and it takes 3 or 4 times just to dry your clothes? Has it ever crossed your mind how much energy we are wasting by not having efficient washer and dryers in our off-campus housing? This is something that has always bothered me, so for my project I am going to study of what the effects of every off-campus housing facility would throw out their old inefficient laundry machines and put in new energy efficient machines.

Things I will find out:

• how many people live off campus
• an average of how many people use a washer and dryer
• an average of how many times it takes to complete 1 full cycle of laundry
• how much energy older machines use? (to figure this out I will determine an average energy usage if possible through MG&E, if not through them, I will go to a few different buildings and figure it out for myself)
• what the minimum standards are for energy star appliances
• how much energy costs and how much would be saved? Thus, would it be cost-efficient to mandate this?

I hope through my research I will be able to find answers to my questions.