Chapter 10:               Baseload Measures

In Rhode Island, baseload measures are installed through the National Grid AMP program. Customers inquiring about base­load measures will be referred to their local CAP agency.

Baseload energy consumption accounts for a large part of home energy use. This should be understood by energy professionals. This chapter is provided for your information and reference. It discusses energy savings for refrigeration, entertainment, light­ing, laundry, and water heating.

Table 10-1:     Levels of Household Electric Baseload Consumption

Indicator

Low

Medium

High

kWh per Year

<4500

4500–8500

>8500

kWh per Month

<375

375–700

>700

kWh per Day

<12

12–23

>23

kWh per Person (Annual)

<1900

1900–3500

>3500

Doesn’t include heating, cooling, or water heating. Assumes 2.4 per­sons per household and average annual consumption of 6500 kWh per household.
EIAbaseloadPie.jpg

 

Table 10-2:     Electrical Consumption of Typical Appliances

Appliance

Annual usage (kWh)

Annual cost

Ten-year-old refrigera­tor or freezer

1250

$188

New ENERGY STAR refrigerator or freezer

500

$75

Television

100–1000

$15–$150

Clothes dryer

1200

$180

Well pump

500

$75

Furnace fan

500

$75

Computer

50–400

$8–$60

Hot tub, spa

2300

$345

Water bed

1000

$150

Data from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and others. Based on 15¢ per kilowatt-hour for electricity.