GAS AND ELECTRIC COSTS FOR THE WEST DE PERE HIGH SCHOOL GREENHOUSE

GENERAL INFORMATION

The West De Pere Greenhouse was constructed in the Fall of 2001 and began operation in the Spring of 2002. In the Spring of 2003 gas and electric meters were installed for the greenhouse to provide data on actual gas and electric costs for the operation of the greenhouse. This data is collected by the students of the Conservation /Natural Resources class and is used in figuring the costs of a crop in the Horticulture/Landscaping class.

The West De Pere Greenhouse is located in a 42' by 115' courtyard setting surrounded by a brick building on all four sides. The greenhouse is 20' by 48'. It is a Rough Bros. glass greenhouse. The ventilation system is automatic consisting of a roof vent and one side vent. It has two gas heaters. Electricity is used to run the control panel, lights, fans, the two pumps for the ebb-flo benches, and the timer for the automatic watering system.

CROPS GROWN IN THE GREENHOUSE

Fall: Poinsettias and cuttings
Late winter: bulbs and cuttings
Early spring: bedding plants.
Summer: closed for the season

Daytime temperature is set at 70 degrees F.

Nighttime temperature is set at 65 degrees F.

BASIS FOR CALCULATIONS

The meter readings from the electric meter is in KWH. The meter readings from the gas meter is in cubic feet.

Cost Calculations:

Electric:

7.9cents/KWH _____ hours X .0791 = ______ cost of electricity

Gas:

70 cents / therm

X cubic feet

100 = __________ therms x .70 = _________ cost of gas

*As of September 2006 - Cost of Electric = .1010 KWH
                                              Cost of Gas = $1.00

GAS

ELECTRIC