Application Activity
The website
http://energy.gov/energysaver/articles/estimating-appliance-and-home-electronic-energy-useincludes
the typical wattages for many common household appliances.
Using the information found on the site, answer the following questions:
1.
(A) Record the information from the website for the appliances listed.
(B) Calculate the average energy use in kilowatt-hours for each appliance.
(C) Assuming energy is priced at 11 cents per kilowatt-hour, calculate the total daily cost of running the appliances, given the average use time.
|
Appliance
|
(A) Watts
|
Hours per
day
|
(B) Average energy use per day (kilowatt-hours)
|
(C) Total Energy Cost per day
|
|
Refrigerator
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
Computer and monitor
|
|
24 (assuming it is a tower that is always plugged in)
|
|
|
|
Dishwasher
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
Microwave
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
Television
|
|
3.5
|
|
|
2. If a new refrigerator costs, on average $750:
a. Determine the average cost per year for a refrigerator that lasts 18 years (assuming that the only costs are the original purchase price and the energy costs calculated above). SHOW ALL WORK
b. Determine the average cost per year for a refrigerator that lasts 27 years (assuming that the only costs are the original purchase price and the energy costs calculated above). SHOW ALL WORK
c. Develop a function that gives the average cost per year "C"of a refrigerator as a function of the number of years "y" you own the refrigerator.
d. If a company offers a refrigerator at $1600, but says it will last at least 45 years, is the refrigerator worth the difference in cost? Why or why not? Use mathematics to support your answer