Q1 2016 summary: 26% warmer, 21% less usage and 33% more sun as compared to Q1 2015.

Although it seemed a lot warmer this winter, 1,023 less heating degree days than Q1 2015, it was still 9% cooler than first quarter 2012 which is the warmest winter since we began recording temperature data.

Despite it being warmer this winter, we recorded a low of -17.3°F, 1.2 degrees colder than last year’s low. Our high was 78.5°F which was considerably warmer than last year’s high of 52.8, but lower than 2012 when we recorded a high of 82.4°F.

Overall, here’s how this quarter compared to 2015.

Chart showing usage, solar, net and hdd for Q1 2016
Chart showing usage, solar, net and hdd for Q1 2016
2015 Usage Solar PV Net usage or (surplus) Avg. daily usage HDD
Total 3,214 1,488 1,726 35.7 3,975
Jan 1,163 400 763 37.5 1,419
Feb 1,096 300 796 35.4 1,449
Mar 955 788 167 30.8 1,107
All values in kWh (except HDD which is base 65°F).
2016 Usage Solar PV Net usage or (surplus) Avg. daily usage HDD
Total 2,550 1,982 568 28.0 2,952
Jan 1,055 499 556 34.0 1,192
Feb 846 586 260 29.2 1,009
Mar 649 897 (248) 20.9 751

Our heat pump used 1,529 kWh last year and 955 kWh this year. We’re getting a fairly consistent correlation between energy use and heating degree days using a base temperature of 65°F. 

ASHP regression analysis correlating HDD to kWh
ASHP regression analysis correlating HDD to kWh

The lower energy use was directly correlated to warmer temperatures. Plus there was less snow to hide the solar panels and it was less cloudy, so we generated more energy too.

The grass was just starting to green up. We had a few plants budding out and a few trees looked like they were ready to pop. We even had two new baby goats born last week. Then we got about 4 inches of snow Monday. Thankfully it’s mostly gone after temps in the upper 30’s and lots of sun today. We’re ready for Spring!