Presenter Information

Stephanie Harris

Document Type

Oral Presentation

Campus where you would like to present

SURC Room 137B

Start Date

15-5-2014

End Date

15-5-2014

Keywords

Energy Conservation, Weatherization Results, Reduce Carbon Emissions

Abstract

Is affecting climate change hopeless? Global warming, climate change, green-house emissions – these phrases have produced alarm, disdain, or denial in much of the US population. The United States creates 25 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions, with only 4.5 percent of the world’s population. Scientific literature strongly suggests that reducing our carbon emissions is vitally important for our future, and yet levels keep increasing at alarming rates. HopeSource, a regional non profit providing human services to all Kittitas County residents, offers conservation services in the form of In-home energy assessments, conservation education workshops, and a weatherization program for qualified individuals. These programs provide clients a resource to decrease their energy consumption resulting in reduced carbon emissions and a lowering of their annual energy expenditures. This study applies t-test statistical analysis to 19 case studies at the household level in Kittitas County provided by HopeSource, to evaluate household energy consumption before and after weatherization modifications were completed. For this project, HopeSource specifically requested an agency, user-friendly tool to calculate energy usage and savings comparisons. Staff will utilize this resource in a number of ways including: discovering which weatherization modifications are most effective; the average household energy consumption decrease after weatherization; as well as, for use in presentations and collaborations with peer and partner organizations. The tool will enable HopeSource to readily communicate these benefits with all stakeholders. Reduced energy consumption provides direct relief for those who participate in these weatherization and conservation programs, and takes a small step toward reducing our collective carbon footprint.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Delgado, Elvin; Trumpy, Robert

Additional Mentoring Department

Geography

Additional Mentoring Department

ITAM

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May 15th, 8:10 AM May 15th, 8:30 AM

HopeSource Weatherization and Conservation Services - An Analysis of Program Effectiveness

SURC Room 137B

Is affecting climate change hopeless? Global warming, climate change, green-house emissions – these phrases have produced alarm, disdain, or denial in much of the US population. The United States creates 25 percent of the world’s CO2 emissions, with only 4.5 percent of the world’s population. Scientific literature strongly suggests that reducing our carbon emissions is vitally important for our future, and yet levels keep increasing at alarming rates. HopeSource, a regional non profit providing human services to all Kittitas County residents, offers conservation services in the form of In-home energy assessments, conservation education workshops, and a weatherization program for qualified individuals. These programs provide clients a resource to decrease their energy consumption resulting in reduced carbon emissions and a lowering of their annual energy expenditures. This study applies t-test statistical analysis to 19 case studies at the household level in Kittitas County provided by HopeSource, to evaluate household energy consumption before and after weatherization modifications were completed. For this project, HopeSource specifically requested an agency, user-friendly tool to calculate energy usage and savings comparisons. Staff will utilize this resource in a number of ways including: discovering which weatherization modifications are most effective; the average household energy consumption decrease after weatherization; as well as, for use in presentations and collaborations with peer and partner organizations. The tool will enable HopeSource to readily communicate these benefits with all stakeholders. Reduced energy consumption provides direct relief for those who participate in these weatherization and conservation programs, and takes a small step toward reducing our collective carbon footprint.