Energy Quiz

\"Getting Started\"

Name:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Q 1. Making your home more energy-efficient will have primarily which of
the following environmental benefits? ([check one]{.underline})

> \_\_\_\_ Reduce water pollution
>
> \_\_\_\_ Help protect endangered species
>
> \_\_\_\_ Lower greenhouse-gas emissions
>
> \_\_\_\_ Improve the health of forests
>
> \_\_\_\_ Increase biodiversity
>
> A1. Lower greenhouse-gas emissions

Q2. On average, which is the \"cleaner fuel\" in terms of emissions of
the greenhouse-gas carbon dioxide (CO2)? Natural Gas or Electricity?
(circle one). Why?

> A2. Typically, natural gas. Coal---the fossil fuel with the most
> greenhouse gases---is a often used to make electricity.

Q3. If an addition is made to a house that increases its size by 30%,
the energy use will go up by about 30% (True/False). Why?

> A3. False. If the addition is more energy efficient, it will require
> less heating/cooling energy per square foot, and not all other end
> uses would be expected to increase (e.g. refrigeration).

Q4. Longer showers automatically mean more energy use (True/False). Why?

> A4. A more energy-efficient water heater or low-flow showerhead will
> reduce per-shower energy use.

Q5. A house\'s living room originally had 10 identical incandescent
light bulbs, and then energy use for lighting was reduced by 70%. This
means that 7 of the bulbs were removed (True/False). Why?

> A5. False. The same savings could be achieved by replacing the bulbs
> with energy-efficient lights.

Q6. Spending \$500 on a new stereo system will have about the same
effect on a household budget as spending \$500 on adding insulation to
the attic. (True/False). Why

> A6. False. Investing in attic insulation will reduce annual energy
> bills, helping the budget, whereas purchasing a consumer item such as
> a stereo generates no offsetting income or savings.

Q7. It\'s possible to buy a new energy-efficient appliance without
increasing the household monthly cost of living (True/False). Why?

> A7. True. If bought on time, monthly energy savings can be the same as
> monthly payments.

Q8. Which of the four curves reflects the investment plus cumulative
energy cost of a home before making an energy-efficiency
improvement?:\_\_\_\_\_ After?: \_\_\_\_\_\_\_

> A8. The initial home \[D\] is the one beginning at (0,0) and having a
> relatively steep slope; the improved home \[B\] has a y-intercept
> (representing the up-front investment) and a shallower upward slope
> (representing lower energy costs).

Q9. Which professional(s) could be employed in the field of energy
savings (check all that apply)

> Engineer
>
> Doctor
>
> Architect
>
> Economist
>
> Athlete
>
> Social Scientist
>
> City Planner
>
> Statistician
>
> Energy-Efficiency Specialist
>
> None
>
> A9. All but Doctor and Athlete

Q10. Match the curves to the likely form of energy (write answers next
to legend):

lighting

air conditioning

![](media/image1.pct){width="6.0in"
height="3.8006944444444444in"}appliances

heating

> A10. Blue = heating, Pink = air conditioning, Yellow = lighting, Light
> Blue = appliances

Q11. If a home\'s most recent energy bill is \$1000 per year and a
computer model predicts that the bill is \$1200 per year, the model has
a 20% error (True/False). Why?

> A11. False. There could be many other explanations, e.g.: The house
> could be described improperly to the computer (e.g. a different energy
> price used). The year of the actual bill could be a warm winter or a
> cooler summer than the averages upon which the model calculations are
> based.

Q12. Average energy use for a group of people is a good overall
indicator of the group\'s energy use patterns? (Yes/No). Why?

> A12. False. No one is average!