Let's Compare: Fuels to Home Heat

Activity: Estimated Cost per 14,000MJ

In this activity students will need to research the cost of various energy sources and fuels.

They will also need to work with simple ratios to calculate the energy costs so that they can make a comparison between the various heating options.

Natural Gas to Heat

GAS:
Approximate energy content

35 MJ/m3
or about 9.7kWh/m3
Transparency Master

Typical (average) monthly energy use
for heat is about 14 000 MJ
(annual total divided by 12)

CO2 produced per 14,000MJ:
770 kilograms
  • Domestic price per m3______

  • m3 required for 14,000MJ_____

  • Cost for 14,000MJ ___________.

Oil to Heat

OIL:
Approximate energy content

28 MJ/L
or about 7.7kWh/L


Transparency Master

Typical (average) monthly energy use
for heat is about 14 000 MJ
(annual total divided by 12)

CO2 produced per 14,000MJ:
1100 kilograms
  • Domestic price per litre ______.

  • Litres required for 14,000MJ _____.

  • Cost for 14,000MJ ___________.

Coal to Heat

COAL:
Approximate energy content

40 000 MJ/T(metric tonne)
or about 11000kWh/T(metric tonne)


Transparency Master

Typical (average) monthly energy use
for heat is about 14 000 MJ
(annual total divided by 12)

CO2 produced per 14,000MJ:
1200 kilograms
  • Domestic price per metric tonne ______

  • Tonnes required for 14,000MJ_____

  • Cost for 14,000MJ ___________.

Wood to Heat

WOOD:
Approximate energy content

32 000 MJ/cord
or about 9000kWh/cord


Transparency Master

Typical (average) monthly energy use
for heat is about 14 000 MJ
(annual total divided by 12)

CO2 produced per 14,000MJ:
1400 kilograms
  • Domestic price per cord (dry hardwood) ______.

  • Cords required for 14,000MJ _____.

  • Cost for 14,000MJ ___________.

Water to Electricity (Hydroelectric Energy)
for electric heat

WATER
purchased as electrical energy

1kWh = 3.6 MJ


Transparency Master

Typical (average) monthly energy use
for heat is about 14 000 MJ
(annual total divided by 12)

CO2 produced per 14,000MJ:
NONE
  • Domestic price of electricity per kWh ______.

  • Kilowatt-hours required for 14,000MJ_____

  • Cost for 14,000MJ ___________.

Nuclear to Electricity
for electric heat

Nuclear:
purchased as electrical energy

1kWh = 3.6 MJ


Transparency Master

Typical (average) monthly energy use
for heat is about 14 000 MJ
(annual total divided by 12)

CO2 produced per 14,000MJ
NONE
  • Domestic price of electricity per kWh ______.

  • Kilowatt-hours required for 14,000MJ_____

  • Cost for 14,000MJ ___________.

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