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submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by Critical_Insight@feddit.uk to c/mildlyinfuriating@lemmy.world

That massive spike of 50c/kWh at the left looks tiny compared to today even though that's already insanely expensive

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[-] SoleInvictus@lemmy.world 18 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

It's an easy conversion - 1 kWh is equal to 3412 Btus. In Germany, both electricity and natural gas are charged in kWh. I know a fair bit about energy measurement if you have any questions.

[-] Nollij@sopuli.xyz 6 points 10 months ago

This is fascinating to me. How does it factor efficiency, since gas needs to be burned?

[-] SoleInvictus@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Great question. When it comes to utility billing, efficiency doesn't factor at all. Just like with electric billing, the utility company gives zero shits about what you do with your energy. They just bill you for everything you use.

Utility companies keep track of the volume used in cubic meters and convert it to kWh using the formula...

Volume (in cubic meters) • Calorific value (usually around 37-42) • 1.02264 (correction factor) ÷ 3.6 (conversion factor to kWh) = kWh

The calorific value accounts for the varying energy density of natural gas caused by its inconsistent composition. The correction factor accounts for the effects of the average temperature and pressure at the property on gas volume measurement. 1.02264 is standard for most locations but would be different if the location is extreme, like the high elevation of Machu Picchu.

What sucks about gas heating is some of the heat energy released leaves with the exhaust. The heating efficiency varies depending on the unit but is generally 90-95% for newer units but as low as 50% for older units. While 90-95% doesn't seem bad, electric heat pumps achieve efficiencies that exceed 100%, even as high as 300+%.

[-] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 4 points 10 months ago

To turn gas to electricity assume 50% efficiency. 2MWh of gas = 1MWh of electricity.

[-] Nollij@sopuli.xyz 4 points 10 months ago

So given that most gas furnaces (at least in the US) operate at 90-95% efficiency, does that mean 20 kWh of resistive electric heat (as measured on the bill) provides similar heat to ~11 kWh of gas?

[-] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 10 months ago

It would equal about 22kWh of gas, since gas isn't 100% efficient like electric heat is.

[-] Knock_Knock_Lemmy_In@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Ah. 50% efficency to turn gas into electricity.

If you are just making heat then burning gas directly is much better.

[-] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 10 months ago

How does it factor efficiency, since gas needs to be burned?

Energy is energy regardless of what unit is used to show it. so 3412 BTUs always equals 1kWh.

You do an efficiency calculation after, average gas blower is about 90% so you'd end up with 3070 BTUs or 0.9kWh of heat energy.

[-] bw1faeh0@feddit.de 3 points 10 months ago

It does not factor efficiency at all.

The bill does not care about efficiency.

this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2024
851 points (98.6% liked)

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