Chapter 24 Energy Conservation
407
Test Your Knowledge
Do not write in this book. Write your answers on
a separate sheet of paper.
1. ______ lights are best used in areas where
they will be turned on and left on for
long periods of time.
2. While waiting for water to get hot, a(n)
______ can be used to return cold water
to the water heater.
3. Which water heater is more effi cient: one
with an energy rating of 240 therms or
one with a rating of 265 therms?
4. For what purpose is SEER used?
5. Which air conditioning unit is more
effi cient: one rated 12 or one rated 15?
6. Describe the basic concept of geothermal
system operation.
7. What type of glass is used in windows to
reduce heat gain in the summer and heat
loss in the winter?
8. How can the albedo of a roof be
increased?
9. What are two benefi ts of porous
concrete?
10. What is the main function of a
photovoltaic cell?
11. List at least four functions of an inverter
used to tie a photovoltaic or wind
generating system to the grid.
12. Why do taller wind turbines generate
more electricity than shorter wind
turbines?
13. What is done to prevent wind turbines
from destroying themselves at very high
speeds?
14. Why are large spaces left between wind
turbines?
Activities
1. See if you can locate a demonstration
home near you. Pay them a visit and
list how many different energy saving
devices are shown.
2. What is the latitude where you live? Are
there any solar collectors mounted on
buildings near you? List their locations.
At what angle to the Sun are the
collectors mounted? Why was that angle
selected? On what side of the building
are they located (North, South, East, or
West)? How much water can they heat
with their system?
3. Visit a house under construction near
where you live. Are they using a house
wrap? Which type is it? How much
energy is it designed to save? How was it
installed? Why?
4. Is there any location near you that is
using porous concrete? What color is it?
Why was that color chosen? Does porous
concrete cost more or less than regular
concrete? Explain why.
5. Visit a Web site that provides infrared
imagery. List the Web site(s) that
provided you with the information. Are
they in color or black and white? What
is the value of using this technology?
Does your local power company provide
any services to you that use infrared
imagery? Is there a charge for this
service? Why or why not?
6. Visit your local hardware store or home
center. List the prices of their CFLs.
Compare these prices with comparable
incandescent bulbs. What is the cost of
electricity in your town? How many
years would it take to break even using
the various CFLs?