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Energy Factor Explanation |
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| How much energy does the typical
low-income non-weatherized home use compared to well built Energy Star Homes
lived in by upper middle class families? In the energy conservation field we use what is referred to as the "Energy Factor" to compare homes (apples to apples). This Energy Factor allows us to compare homes irregardless of the size, type of fuel used for heating, or whether the time period used for our comparison was unusually cold or mild. It compares all homes apples to apples or in other words the miles per gallon for a buildings heat use. First the type of fuel used is converted to BTU's. Then we divide this figure by the square heated footage of the home. Finally this number is divided by the Degree Days of a particular timeframe for the fuel bills being used. We arrive at the BTU/Sq'/DD, the Energy Factor So how do homes compare from the best to the worst on this home energy scale?
The reality is sobering. Many low-income homes use
several hundred percent more to heat than the best of homes. A home
with an energy factor of 15 uses 1500% more energy than a well built Energy
Star home. That is 15 times as much energy. The reality of
this issue is why NYSWDA believes it makes good sense to use a portion of
HEAP dollars to support Weatherization. It makes no sense to continue
to pay HEAP grants to families living in homes with no insulation and poorly
designed heating systems!!
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