How Much Energy and Cost Are Involved in Heating Daily Water to 75°C?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the energy and cost involved in heating 150 liters of water to 75°C from an initial temperature of 20°C. Using the formula Q=mCΔT, the energy required was calculated to be 34,424.26 kJ. The participant initially miscalculated the energy consumption in kWh, leading to an incorrect cost estimate of $2.00 instead of the correct $1.35. The key error was in the conversion from kJ to kWh, where the conversion factor of 3600 kJ per kWh was not applied correctly.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics, specifically heat transfer principles.
  • Familiarity with the formula Q=mCΔT for calculating heat energy.
  • Knowledge of unit conversions between kJ and kWh.
  • Basic arithmetic skills for cost calculations based on energy consumption.
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  • Study the principles of thermodynamics related to heat transfer and energy calculations.
  • Learn about unit conversions, specifically between kJ and kWh, to avoid common pitfalls.
  • Explore practical applications of energy consumption calculations in household settings.
  • Investigate the impact of water heating efficiency on overall energy costs.
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Homework Statement


A family uses 150 L of hot water each day. The hot water system is set to 75°C and the
supply water has a temperature of 20°C. How much energy is required? If the hot water
consumption was spread out evenly over the whole day (24 hrs), what is the total daily cost
(assuming 14 c/kWh)?

Homework Equations


Q=mC \Delta T

C = 4.184 kJ/kg (HeatingCapacity)

The Attempt at a Solution


Hi all, I have this question and I thought I was doing it correctly, but for some reason I'm not getting the required answer.
density of water = 998

Volume = 0.15 m^{3}

m = 149.7 kg

\Delta T = 55

Q=(149.7)(4.184)(55)
Q=34424.26 kJ

seconds/day = 86400s

p = \frac{dQ}{dT} = \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta T}

p = \frac{34424.26 kJ }{86400s}

p = 0.39843kW

p kWh = 0.39843kW (3600)

p kWh = 1434kWh

cost = (0.14c) (1434kWh)

cost = 200c = $2.00

However the answer states that it is $1.35/day

I checked my work three times through, but I think I have a fundamental misunderstanding of something which is stopping me from getting the correct answer.
 
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miniradman said:
p = 0.39843kW

p kWh = 0.39843kW (3600)

p kWh = 1434kWh
This is where you go wrong. In that second line, you are actually calculating how much energy is used every hour:
$$
0.39843\ \textrm{kW} \times \frac{3600\ \textrm{s}}{\textrm h} = 1434\ \textrm{kJ/h}
$$
Instead, find the conversion factor to go from kJ to kWh:
$$
\begin{align}
1 \textrm{kWh} &= 1 \textrm{kW} \times \textrm{h} \\
&= 1 \frac{\textrm{kJ}}{ \textrm{s}} \times \textrm{h} \\
&= 1 \frac{\textrm{kJ}}{ \textrm{s}} \times \textrm{h} \times \frac{3600\ \textrm{s}}{\textrm h} \\
&= 3600\ \textrm{kJ}
\end{align}
$$
 
Ahh, I plugged that conversion factor in after I found Q, then got $1.33... close enough?

Cheers for the response
 

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