What is an energy audit anyway?
(Edit Q&A) A: The basic idea of an energy audit is to figure out and document how every watt of power is being used at a given site. Usually this is done when a person becomes concerned about conservation and wants to know how they are actually using the energy they pay for or when a person wants to calculate the size of a new photovoltaic system.
The basic idea of an energy audit is to figure out and document how every watt of power is being used at a given site. Usually this is done when a person becomes concerned about conservation and wants to know how they are actually using the energy they pay for or when a person wants to calculate the size of a new photovoltaic system. Both The New Solar Electric Home by Joel Davidson, and The Solar Electric House by Strong and Scheller have a good discussion of energy audits. See also: • (het Energy Links) Conservation, Efficiency 04B) What is a phantom load? A phantom load is a hidden use of electricity which one might easily overlook in doing an energy audit. For example, a television with a remote control turn on capability will be drawing some power all the time, whether the TV is turned on or off. Another example is the common wall warts (step down transformers) used to power lower voltage devices such as answering machines. A few such devices drawing power 24-7 can quickly add up.
