Reply #18: British thermal units

[conning]

are another good way to compare various energy sources and their associated carbon dioxide emissions. The Energy Information Administration uses the btu for some of their comparative reports.

I have found it convenient to use the btu measurement as a way of understanding my own energy use and its impact on the environment. For example, my apartment is supplied with heat from natural gas which is billed by the therm which is valued at 100,000 therms. Multiplying that number by the number of therms I use in a season shows how many million btu have been used. Natural gas emits 117 pounds of CO2 for every million btu and so I can figure out how much CO2 I have caused to be added to the atmosphere.

My electricity provider, Rochester Gas & Electric, gets 87% of its power from nuclear, 8% from hydro, 1% from wind, 2% from coal, and 2% from oil. One kilowatt hour holds 3412 btu; multiplying my usage times that number tells me how many million btu I'm using. Only 4% of my electricity is from fossil fuels, and so the carbon dioxide emitted is negligible.

Having that basis for comparison, I decided to use electrical space heaters this winter in lieu of the natural gas heat. My records show that my energy use is quite reduced and that my contibution to CO2 is reduced to irrelevance.

As I sit here typing while temperatures outside are in the single digits, most of my apartment is in the low 50's. However, I am very comfortable sitting in front of a radiant heater that is like a portable fireplace. The computer mouse and keyboard are on top of heating pads. Wool sweater and wool socks add to my comfort.