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5 Tons of Coal

Derived from the following:

1kwh = 1 pound of coal, based on:

DOE has estimates of the energy content of coal used by the electric power sector from 1949 to 2003. In 1950, the number was about 24 million BTU/Short Ton. Currently the number is about 20 million BTU/Short Ton. A Short Ton is 2000 pounds. Thus, the national average value of a pound of coal used by the electric power sector is about 10,000 BTU/pound. In 1970, the heat rate for fossil fuel electricity was 10,494 BTU/KWH, In 2003, the heat rate is 10,107 BTU/KWH. Thus, one pound per KWH is a good number.

The heat value of electricity is 3412 BTU/KWH. Thus, 10,107 BTU make 3412 BTU of electricity; an efficiency of 34%.

From David Reister, a Senior researcher at Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Average home in America consumes 908 kwh/month (according to 2004 data) x 12 months = 10,896 kwh which is also 10,896 pounds of coal

900kwh/month is based on the following link:

Source: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/esr/esr_sum.html
Direct Link: http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/esr/table5.xls
Table 5. U.S. Average Monthly Bill by Sector, Census

Special Thanks to

This feature on the Kilowatt Ours website is made possible thanks to generous in kind support from Rich Hopkins of New Dawn Productions.