Statewide Total Electricity Savings

The California Energy Commission (CEC) estimates the total residential electrical energy consumption to be 79,000 GWh. About 7.4% of this total is for space cooling and 5.4% for heating. Surveys by the Energy Information Administration show that 68% of cooling 60% of electric heating passes through ducts. The electricity used to condition residences using ducts is therefore 79,000 x(7.4% x 68%+5.4% x 60%)=6,500 GWh.

Over a whole season of heating of cooling a conservative estimate for the duct sealing savings are about half the peak values, or about 10%. The total electricity savings for the state is then 10% x 6,500 GWh per year = 650 GWh per year.

At the average January 2001 California Power Exchange price of 30 cents/kWh results in about $200 million/year savings. However, the state has been purchasing more electricity at peak times and thus paying higher rates. Therefore, this $200 million/year is a very conservative estimate.