Get Introduced to SOH – Flourishing Communities Collaborative

Get Introduced

Click on these icons to learn more about your home’s context.

Button linking to climate information about Atlanta — ***Climate***

Button linking to information about sun orientation — ***Sun Orientation***

Button linking to information about utility bills — ***Utility Bills***

Button linking to information on weatherization — ***Weatherization***

Atlanta’s Climate Overview

Graphics about Atlanta's climate. Average temperature in 2020 was 18 degrees Celsius with a projected 2080 average of 21 degrees. Average humidity in 2020 was 68 percent with a projected 2080 average of 64 percent. Average annual precipitation is 49 inches, making Atlanta one of the wettest cities. Summers are warm and humid, winters are short and mild. Wind blows north-westerly in the winter and south-westerly in the summer. Sun sits to the South.

This trend is expected to change with increasing winter temperatures

Check your home’s orientation to the sun

The glazing treatment, window insulation, window shading, and ventilation strategies depend on the orientation of your house. So make sure to check your home’s orientation and then plan strategies to take advantage of the prevailing climate and its benefits

Solar radiation experienced during summers and winters is different along the four axes. In winter, the sun’s path is at a lower angle, south to E-W. In summer, the sun’s path is at a high angle sun, north to E-W axis. As a result, the East and West façades receive strong solar radiation at low angles throughout the year.

Button linking to Google Maps to check home orientation

Utility Bills

Power Bill

Use this calculator from Georgia Public Service Commission
(GPSC) to calculate your power bill based on actual usage.
According to US Energy Information Administration (EIA),
the average residential monthly use in Georgia is 1080
KWh, which results in monthly costs of $130 per home. If your power bills are significantly higher than this value, you might have to inspect the house professionally and follow recommendations for reducing energy usage.

Pie chart of residential energy use by appliance. Percentages are broken down as follows

31.3 percent Space Heating
26.2 percent Other uses including electronic devices, backup generators, etc.
13.6 percent Water Heating
10.7 percent Space Cooling
4 percent Refrigeration
3.2 percent Dryers
2.8 percent lighting
2.8 percent home entertainment equipment
1.3 percent cooking
1.1 percent computers
1.1 percent furnace fans and boiler circulation pumps
.9 percent freezers
.5 percent washers
.4 percent dishwashers

Learn more about your Power Bill here

Water Bill

Do you know that in Georgia residents pay more for sewer rates than water rates?

Use this estimator to calculate your monthly utility bills by the 2022 Environmental Finance Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

The EPA estimates that an average household uses 100 gallons of water per person daily. However, in Georgia, residents pay more for sewer than water. This can cost up to $42 ($5.52 per 100 cubic feet) as water costs and $109 for sewer bills, totaling $151 for the family. Click here to learn more about Fulton county’s rate schedule.

Learn more about your Water Bill here

Natural Gas Bill

48% of Georgia homes use natural gas for heating, and 48% use electricity for heating.

If you are paying significantly more than $160 (with heating
use), then you might have to call for a professional inspection of your devices and switch to newer systems that are more efficient.

Learn more about your Natural Gas Bill here

Weatherization

Isometric drawing of a single-family home. Accompanying text highlights different categories of home improvements. Health and safety measures include inspecting for mold or moisture, installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and evaluating heating and cooling systems. Appliance and lighting measures include installing efficient light sources, optimizing appliance use, and using natural lighting. Building envelope measures include installing insulation, air sealing, and repairing leaks. Exterior measures include selecting native plant species, planting rain gardens, and using plants for shading. Water measures include maintaining consistent hot water temperature, optimizing appliance use, and installing low-flow faucets. HVAC measures include maintaining heating and cooling systems, optimizing use of thermostats, and repairing duct leaks.

Weatherization is a systemic process to make a home more comfortable, reduce energy waste and lower its carbon footprint. Weatherization can save the homeowner 20-30% on utility bills or $283 per year, with even higher savings reported in some parts of the country.

Data

This project is made possible with the generous support of New Venture Fund/Public Interest Technology-University Network, Georgia Tech College of Design and the School of Architecture.