Analysis of Insulation and Energy Efficiency in U.S. Homes
Student Classification
Junior
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Andrea Ofori-Boadu, Department of Built Environment, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Department
Department of Built Environment
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
Spring 4-2021
Abstract
This study aims to determine the US Census Division that has the most energy-efficient homes, based on data from the Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS), using a calculated variable that measures the average thousand British Thermal Unit (BTU) per square foot. The data was analyzed in R-Studio where it was described by its mean, standard deviation, and spread. It was split up by the 10 US Census Regions and within those regions was further divided into three different levels of home insulation: well, adequately, and poorly. The data was visualized as histograms, box plots, and a bar plot. It was put through one sample t-test’s that ultimately brought this study to its conclusion, by producing p-values that allowed the hypotheses to be judged. It was determined that the South Atlantic US Census Division had the most energy-efficient homes (with an average thousand BTU per square foot of 34.54), however, the Pacific Census Division was so close (with an average thousand BTU per square foot of 34.61) that further research is suggested to determine if there is a difference between the two.
Recommended Citation
Alford, Wanya and Parrish, Robert, "Analysis of Insulation and Energy Efficiency in U.S. Homes" (2021). Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry Symposia. 231.
https://digital.library.ncat.edu/ugresearchsymposia/231