North South University

School of Health and Life Sciences

Department of Environmental Science & Management

Lab Experiment 3

Submitted by:

Tayeeba Tasnuva-2013403630

Submitted to:

Dr. Abdus Samad Azad (ASA2)

Assistant Professor
 Part A

1. How much did the households pay for electricity for the two months (Include

both including and excluding vat).

Month Excluding VAT Including VAT

February 451 474

August 1809 1900

Household A and B respectively presents electricity bill for February and August, 2021 which is

451 taka (excluding vat), 474 taka (including vat) and 1809 taka (excluding vat), 1900 taka

(including vat).

2. How many kilowatt hours of electricity did the households use in the two months?

Month KWH consumed

February 69

August 300

For February, KWH consumed of household A is 69 and for August, KWH consumed of

household B is 300.
 3. What is the cost the households pay per kilowatt hour?

Month Total Energy KWH consumed Per Kilowatt Hour

Charge

February 276 69 4

August 1629.25 300 5.43

Chart Title
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Total Energy Charge KWH consumed Per Kilowatt Hour

February August

For household A, total energy charge is 276 taka and KWH consumed is 69. So, the cost

household A pays is 276/69 = 4 taka

For household B, total energy charge is 1629.25 taka and KWH consumed is 300. So, the cost

household B pays is 1629.25/300 = 5.43 taka

 4. Can you tell from the bill if any or all of the electricity comes from renewable

energy sources?

None of the electricity bill comes from renewable energy resources.

5. Calculate the water bill for one flat from the bill provided in slide 15.

Water bill for one flat = 3765/5 taka = 753 taka

6. Energy efficiency refers to completing a task using less energy input than

Usual. For example, an LED light bulb produces the same amount of light as other

bulbs, but with less energy Where do you see opportunities to become more energy

efficient at your home (discuss any three techniques)?

Where energy resources may be limited and energy efficiency is crucial, here are three

techniques to enhance energy efficiency at home:

 LED Lighting: Replace traditional incandescent bulbs with energy-saving LED

bulbs. LEDs use significantly less energy and last much longer, resulting in long-

term energy savings.

 Consider upgrading to energy-efficient appliances like refrigerators, air

conditioners, and washers. Look for appliances with high energy efficiency

ratings to reduce your overall electricity consumption.

 Insulation and cooling strategies: Improve your home's insulation to reduce the

need for excessive air conditioning. Simple steps, such as sealing gaps and using

curtains or blinds to block out heat, can improve energy efficiency, particularly in

a warm climate like Bangladesh.

7. Energy conservation refers to behaviors and actions that people can do to save or

use less energy For example, turning off the lights when you leave a room is an

action you can take that reduces the amount of electricity you use Briefly discuss

any three actions you can take to reduce the amount of energy you use?

Here are three simple actions individuals can take to conserve energy and reduce their

overall energy consumption:

 Unplug electronic devices when they are not in use:

Action: Unplug chargers, electronic devices, and appliances when they are not in use

or completely charged.

Benefits: Many devices use a small amount of standby power when turned off but still

plugged in. Unplugging them eliminates "phantom" energy usage, resulting in long-

term energy savings.

 Optimize heating and cooling systems:

Set thermostats to energy-efficient settings, use programmable thermostats, and keep

your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems in good working order.

Benefits: Adjusting the thermostat by a few degrees, particularly when away from home

or sleeping, can result in significant energy savings. Regular maintenance, such as

cleaning filters and ensuring proper insulation, improves the efficiency of heating and

cooling systems.

 Improve Water Heating Efficiency:

Action: Reduce the temperature on the water heater and use cold water for laundry

and dishwashing whenever possible.

 Benefits: Water heating can account for a significant portion of household energy

consumption. Lowering the water heater temperature reduces the amount of energy

used to heat water. Furthermore, using cold water for certain tasks reduces the need

for the water heater entirely, helping to conserve energy.

8. Saifan and his wife are in the market for a new microwave oven and a television! a)

One microwave oven they like is energy efficient, but a bit more expensive and

another one is cheap but consumes more energy According to you which one they

should buy and why? b) They also found a LED and LCD television of the same

price. According to you which one they should buy and why?

For microwave, Saifan and his wife should choose the energy-efficient but slightly more

expensive microwave oven.

Reasoning: While the initial cost may be higher, the energy-efficient model is likely to

result in long-term cost savings due to reduced energy consumption. Furthermore, it

aligns with sustainability objectives and helps to reduce their overall carbon footprint.

For television, They should select an LED television.

LED TVs outperform LCD TVs in terms of energy efficiency, picture quality, and

design. LED technology is more advanced, providing a better viewing experience while

using less energy, making it a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly option in

the long run.

9. According to you what can be the possible reasons for such a difference in the

bills for these two months in SLIDE 13 and SLIDE 14 Briefly discuss any four

reasons.

The possible reasons for such a difference in the bills of two households are given below:

 Seasonal Variation in Cooling and Heating Needs:

February: The winter month may require less energy for heating, resulting in lower

electricity bills.

August: In contrast, August falls within the hot and humid monsoon season, leading to

increased use of air conditioning and cooling systems. Higher energy consumption for

cooling can contribute to a spike in electricity bills.

 Change in daylight hours:

February: Shorter daylight hours may result in increased use of artificial lighting, which

contributes to higher energy consumption.

August: Longer daylight hours reduce the need for artificial lighting, potentially lowering

electricity usage in this category.

 Appliance Usage Patterns:

February: People may spend more time indoors during the cooler winter months,

increasing their use of electronic devices and appliances.

August: Outdoor activities may be more common during the warmer months, resulting in

less time spent using household appliances. However, the use of cooling devices such as

fans and air conditioners may mitigate this reduction.

  Festivals and Cultural Events:

February: February may feature festivals or events that influence energy consumption

patterns. Some festivals may involve more cooking and lighting, increasing electricity

bills.

August: Similarly, festivals or cultural events in August may increase energy

consumption due to increased cooking, lighting, and the potential use of electronic

appliances.

Part B

For me:
For neighbor 1 (financially wealthy):
For neighbor 2 (financially weak):
Number of earth needed:

Person Earth needed

Me 3.9

Neighbor 1 (financially wealthy) 8.2

Neighbor 2 (financially weak) 2.9

Number of earth needed

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February August
Ecological footprint:

Person Ecological footprint (global hectares)

Me 6.4

Neighbor 1 (financially rich) 13.3

Neighbor 2 (financially weak) 4.8

Ecological footprint
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February August
Carbon footprint (CO2 emissions in tonnes per year):

Person Carbon footprint

Me 11

Neighbor 1 (financially rich) 25.8

Neighbor 2 (financially weak) 9

Carbon footprint(CO2 emissions in

tonnes per year)
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February August
 Carbon footprint (Percentage of total ecological footprint):

Person Carbon footprint

Me 59

Neighbor 1 (financially rich) 67

Neighbor 2 (financially weak) 64

Carbon footprint (Percentage of total

ecological footprint)
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February August
Write down some suggestions to reduce your ecological footprints without compromising

your lifestyle.

Some suggestions to reduce my ecological footprints without compromising my lifestyle is given

below:

 Reducing consumption of processed meat

 Increasing use of public transportation

 Reducing use of any transport within a few kilometers distance

 Increasing practice of carpool

 Reduce single-use plastics

 Collect rainwater for gardening

 Opt for renewable energy sources like solar panels

 Support local and eco-friendly products

 Plant trees and maintain green spaces

 Consider electric or hybrid vehicles