Test Your Energy IQ

From: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Public and Consumer Affairs, Consumer and Public Liaison, Energy Information Administration (10/95).

Answers follow the questions from ComfortMatters.com

1. For which jobs are microwave ovens used most?

Defrosting frozen foods

Cooking meals

Reheating foods

Preparing snacks

2. Microwave ovens are currently found in what percentage of all U.S. Homes?

23%

54%

84%

3. Almost all of us use ovens for cooking. What percentage are electric?

17%

63%

81%

4. How many gallons of hot water does the typical dishwasher use during a normal cycle?

7

14

25

5. Ceiling fans are currently found in what percentage of U.S. homes?

10 to 15%

25 to 30%

50 to 55%

6. Switching to fluorescent lighting can save consumers a lot of money. How much money could Americans save collectively each year if we all made the switch to efficient lighting?

$500,000

$ 1 million

$750 million

7. Energy-efficient lighting can reduce home electricity demand up to what percent?

15%

50%

75%

8. In a family of four, if each member takes one 10-minute shower a day using a standard showerhead, how many gallons of water will the family use a year?

13,000 gallons

73,000 gallons

150,000 gallons

9. How much does the typical family spend in a year to run its electric home appliances?

$100 to $300

$400 to $1,000

$1,100 to $1,500

10. How many gallons of gasoline does a typical driver use each year?

1,070 gallons

3,500 gallons

5,100 gallons

11. What percent of home heat is lost up an open chimney flue after a fire has died in the fireplace?

1%

5%

10%

12. Industry consumes what percent of the total energy used in the United States?

10%

36%

57%

13. Which renewable energy source generates the most electricity?

Wind power

Hydropower

Solar power

14. What energy source provides more than half of the electricity in the U.S.?

Nuclear

Coal

Natural gas

15. What is the nation's most plentiful energy source?

Oil

Coal

Nuclear

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Answers 1. Cooking meals 2. 84% 3. 63% 4. 14 gallons 5. 50 to 55% 6. $750 million 7. 75%

8. 73,000 gallons 9. $400 to $1,000 10. 1,070 11. 10% 12. 36% 13. Hydropower 14. Coal 15. Coal