In: Physics
Heating of water is a significant cost for most households, with
about one third of all household
water consumption going to either showers or baths. If a low
efficiency shower head is used,
approximately 18 L of water are used per minute of shower time. A
high efficiency shower head
reduces that to about 10 L of water per minute. If water enters the
hot water heater at 14 oC and is
heated to 49 oC to be used, determine the daily cost of each of the
following:
a) 5 minute shower with high efficiency shower head at off-peak
times.
b) 5 minute shower with low efficiency shower head at on-peak
times.
c) 10 minute shower with high efficiency shower head at mid-peak
times.
d) 15 minute shower with low efficiency shower head at on-peak
times.
e) how much difference would there be in the annual costs for
a
family of 5 if all 5 had the least expensive shower instead of the
most expensive shower?
Converting Joules to KWhrs
1KWhr = 3.6x10^6 J
Cost of electricity
off peak = 12.6 cents/KWHr
mid peak = 18.6 cents/KWHr
On peak = 24.6 cents/KWHr