Why is this important?
When you turn on any electrical device, it uses electricity and you are charged for the amount used. This amount varies greatly depending on the device and the length of time it is used. You need to know the unit of measure for electricity.
What’s a watt?
A watt (W) is the unit used to measure the flow of electricity. Look at your device and find out the device use in watts. This hair dryer uses 1600W.
A watt is a very small unit so kilowatt is used most often.
1 Kilowatt (kW)= 1000 watts
Convert from watts to kilowatts by dividing by 1000.
1600 W = 1600/1000 = 1.6 kW
The total amount of electricity used depends on how long the device is on. The unit for this is kilowatt hour (kWh).
kilowatt hour = kW x hours
If the hair dryer is used for 4 minutes per day this amounts to:
4 minutes x 365 days
= 1460 minutes
= 1460 / 60 minutes per hour = 24.33 hours in a year.
In one year the hair dryer uses:
1.6 kW x 24.33 hours = 39 kWh
Why is this important?
The production of electricity produces by-products called greenhouse
gases (GHGs). These 7 gases cause changes in the upper atmosphere. Most
climate scientists agree that the main cause of the current global
warming trend is the over-production of GHGs.
GHG Emission Sources
Some sources of electricity production emit more GHGs than others. Burning coal to generate electricity produces the highest GHGs and
renewable energy sources produce almost no GHGs. In New Brunswick,
electricity generates on average 260 grams of GHGs per kilowatt
hour (260 g/kWh).
Save Energy, Save the Environment
Governments, businesses and citizens want to reduce GHGs emissions and the impacts of climate change.
Back to the hair dryer. It used 39 kWh in a year and in New Brunswick each kWh emits 260 g GHG:
39 kWh x 260 g/kWh = 10,140 g GHG
Why is this important?
Electric bills can get very expensive. Everyone is trying to save money. Cost is a big motivating factor in energy conservation and efficiency.
The average rate of electricity in New Brunswick is 11.38 cents per kWh (2022). Rates will differ for competitive retailers.
To run the hair dryer for one year costs:
