The Bauer family uses too much energy and has high electricity bills. They use 5,500 kWh per year, resulting in a carbon footprint of 1.1 metric tons. This negatively impacts the environment through pollution and increased greenhouse gases. To address this problem, the document considers making the Bauer home more energy efficient through options like installing power strips, using CFL bulbs, sealing air leaks, and adding insulation. It evaluates the costs, energy savings, return on investment, maintenance requirements, and aesthetics of upgrading appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers to Energy Star models. All the appliance alternatives were found to meet the research criteria.

1. Bauer Family Overhaul
Whitney Bauer
Energy and the Environment

2. Preliminary Problem
• Bauer family uses too much energy
• Expensive electricity bills
• Uses 5,500 kWh per year
• Carbon Footprint of 1.1 metric tons
This affects the environment negatively:
Pollution, Increased Greenhouse Gases, Global
Warming, Acid Rain, Glacial Melting etc.

3. Background
• Who? …. The Reypa family
• When? Summer 08
• Technologies used:
– Power strips for all Phantom Loads and Computers
– CFLs
– Sealing and Insulation

4. Background Continued
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
Power Strip
CFL
Sealing
Insulation
Save d per year ($)
Green house gases saved
(lbs)
Power saved (kWh)

5. Alternative to Problem
• Alternative Energy - an option, not plausible
• More Efficient Appliances
• Increased Insulation
• Alternative Light- CFL
• Power strips
• Behavioral Changes

6. Research Plan Criteria
• Cost- under $10,000
• Efficiency- dollars saved per life cycle
• Return on Investment- by 5 years
• Reliability
• Maintenance
• Aesthetics

7. Present Results
Current
appliance
vs. Energy
Star
Cost ($)
Initial cost
difference
Efficiency($)
Life cycle
savings
Return on
Investment
(yrs)
Maintenance Aesthetics
Washer $258 $223 4.7 unforeseeable pretty
Dryer $231 $198 4.5 unforeseeable pretty
Refrigerator $30 $101 2.8 low alright
Dishwasher $12 $83 1.2 low alright
CFL $3 $69 .03 none ok
-Information remains unfound and irregular for power strips and insulation
alternatives. More to follow…
-All results found at www.energystar.gov

8. Results Discussion Continued
So, all appliances meet the needs of the stated
criteria:
- Cost
- Efficiency
- Return on Investment
- Maintenance (to our knowledge)
- Aesthetics

9. Questions….?