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Saving Energy at Home and SchoolStudent and Family Guide
2012-20
ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE, SECONDARY
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Message to the Family
Dear Family Members:
The NEED Projects Saving Energy program provides teachers with curriculum materials that assist them in
meeting energy science curriculum standards. With this program, students learn how energy is produced and
used. They also learn ways to conserve energy that can easily be applied in their own homes.
Your child is a student participating in this Saving Energyprogram. To demonstrate how the energy conservation
lessons your child is studying in class can be applied at home, you will be provided with a Home Energy Eciency
Kit containing several items designed to help reduce electricity and natural gas use in your home. Once installed,
these energy conservation measures give families the opportunity to see how low-cost and no-cost measures
can make a substantial dierence in lowering energy use.
Your Home Energy Eciency Kit also includes a home survey and we encourage you to work with your child
to answer the questions. It is ne if you do not know all the answers. You and your child will learn about the
dierent energy saving measures together. Mailing this survey back to NEED will help students everywhere
better understand energy use.
This Student and Family Guide will allow your child to do additional research on your homes energy use that will
show that your eorts to save energy do make a dierence.
We are pleased you will be participating in this worthwhile activity and encourage you to contact your childs
teacher or The NEED Project with any questions you may have.
The NEED Project
P.O.Box10101
Manassas,VA20108
1.800.875.5029
www.NEED.org
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Table o ContentsStudent Backgrounder 4
Forms of Energy 11
Energy Source Matching 12
Forms and Sources 13
The Energy I Used Today 14
Transporting Electricity 16
Lesson 1 Reections 17
Lesson 1 Connections 18
Using Energy at School 19
Lesson 2 Reections 23
Lesson 3 Home Activities 24
Lesson 3 Reections 30
Lesson 3 Connections 31
Reading an Electric Meter 32
Reading a Natural Gas Meter 33
School Utility Meters 34
Lesson 4 Home Activities 35
Lesson 4 Reections 37
Lesson 4 Connections 38
Insulation Investigation 39
Lesson 5 Home Activity 40
Lesson 5 Reections 41Lesson 5 Connections 42
Temperature Investigation 43
Lesson 6 Home Activity 44
Lesson 6 Reections 45
Saving Energy at Home and SchoolStudent and Family Guide
Lesson 6 Connections 46
Water Heating Investigation 47
Lesson 7 Home Activities 48
Lesson 7 Reections 50
Lesson 7 Connections 51
Windows Investigation 52
Lesson 8 Home Activity 53
Lesson 8 Reections 54
Lesson 8 Connections 55
Light Bulb Investigation 56
Flicker Checker Investigation 57
Lesson 9 Home Activity 58
Facts of Light 59
Lesson 9 Reections 60
Lesson 9 Connections 61
Measuring Electricity Use 62
Lesson 10 Home Activity 63
Payback Periods 64
Lesson 10 Reections 66
Lesson 10 Connections 67
Your Family Rating 68
Lesson 11 Connections 69Saving Energy Glossary 70
Post-Survey 71
Pre-Survey 73
Additional Resources 75
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Student Backgrounder
The United States uses a lot of energyat a cost of a million dollars a minute, 24 hours a day,
every day of the year. With less than ve percent of the worlds population, we consume 20percent of the worlds energy resources.
All of us use energy every dayfor getting from one place to another, cooking, heating and
cooling rooms, making products, lighting, heating water, and entertainment.
We use a lot of energy to make our lives comfortable, productive, and enjoyable. Most of that
energy is from nonrenewable energy sources. It is important that we use our energy resources
wisely.
Energy Efciency and Conservation
The choices we make about using energy have environmentaland economic impacts. There are many things we can do to use
less energy and use it wisely. These actions include both energy
conservation and energy eciency.
Energy conservation is any action that results in using less energy.
Energy efciency focuses on technologies that use less energy to
perform the same tasks. Buying a dryer that uses less energy is an
example of energy eciency. Drying clothes outside on sunny days
is an example of energy conservation.
Sectors o the EconomyThe U.S. Department of Energy uses three categories to classify
energy usersresidential and commercial, industrial, and
transportation. These categories are called the sectors of the
economy.
Residences are peoples homes. Commercial buildings include oce
buildings, hospitals, stores, restaurants, and schools. Residential
and commercial energy use are lumped together because homes
and businesses use energy in the same waysfor heating, air
conditioning, water heating, lighting, and operating appliances.
The residential/commercial sector of the economy consumed
41.2 percent of the total energy supply in 2010, more energy than
either of the other sectors, with a total of 40.4 quads of energy. The
residential sector consumed 22.2 quads and the commercial sector
consumed 18.2 quads. Schools are included in the commercial
sector of the economy.
WORLDPOPULATION
WORLDENERGY
CONSUMPTION
UNITED STATES 4.5%
REST OF THE WORLD 95.5%
UNITED STATES 19.6%
REST OF THE WORLD 80.4%
Population Versus Energy Consumption
Data: Energy I nformation Administration
HEATING
45%
COOLING
9%
APPLIANCES
7% LIGHTING6%
WATER HEATING 18%
REFRIGERATION 4%
OTHER 5%
COMPUTERS/
ELECTRONICS 6%
ome nergy sage,
Data: U.S. Department of Energy
RESIDENTIAL
22.5%
INDUSTRIAL
30.8%
COMMERCIAL
18.6%
TRANSPORTATION
28.1%
Energy Usage by Sector of the Economy
Data: Ener Information Administration
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Residential/Commercial SectorThe residential sector (houses, apartments, and other places where
people live) uses about 22 percent of the energy in the U.S. each
year. The commercial sector (schools, businesses, and hospitals)
uses 19 percent. The residential and commercial sectors are put
together because they use energy for similar tasks.
The typical family spends about $1,900 a year on utility bills. About
66 percent is for electricity; the rest is spent mostly on natural gas
and fuel oil. Much of this energy is not put to good use. Heated orcooled air leaks out of homes through doors and windows, attics,
walls, oors, and basements. Some machines and appliances use
energy 24 hours a day and we waste energy with bad habits.
Heating and Cooling SystemsHeating and cooling systems use more energy than any other
systems in our homes. Natural gas and electricity are used to heat
most homes, electricity to cool almost all. About 45 percent of the
average familys utility bills is for keeping homes at comfortable
temperatures. The energy sources that power these heating and
cooling systems emit 150 million tons of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere each year. They also generate about 16 percent of theemissions that cause acid rain.
With all heating and air conditioning systems, you can save energy
by having proper insulation, sealing air leaks, maintaining the
equipment, and practicing energy-saving behaviors. Adjusting
your thermostat by just two degrees can lower bills signicantly
and prevent hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide from entering
the atmosphere each year.
Programmable ThermostatsProgrammable thermostats automatically control the temperature
of buildings for time of day and can save energy and money. During
heating seasons, for example, they can lower the temperature during
the day when no one is home and at night. In the morning and
evening, when people are awake at home, they can automatically
raise the temperature. Most consumers set the temperature
higher than recommended during heating seasons and lower than
recommended during cooling seasons. A temperature setting of
68F during the day and 60F at night during heating seasons is
comfortable if people dress warmly and use warm blankets. During
cooling seasons, a temperature setting of 78F is comfortable if
people dress appropriately and use fans.
Insulation and WeatherizationWarm air leaking into your home in cooling seasons and out of
your home in heating seasons wastes energy. You can reduce
heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent by investing a few
hundred dollars in proper insulation and weatherization products.
Insulation is rated using an R-value that indicates the resistance of
the material to heat ow. You need an R-value of 2249, depending
on the climate, in ceilings and walls. In very cold climates, a higher
R-value is recommended.
Insulation wraps your house in a blanket, but air can still leak in or
out through small cracks. Often the eect of many small leaks equals
a wide open door. One of the easiest energy-saving measures is to
caulk, seal, and weather-strip cracks and openings to the outside.
Home performance professionals can seal air leaks in attics and
basements. You can save 10 percent or more on your energy bill by
sealing the air leaks in your home.
Doors and WindowsAbout one-fth of a homes air leaks occur around and through
the doors and windows. Doors should seal tightly and have doo
sweeps at the bottom to prevent air leaks. Insulated storm door
provide added barriers to leaking air.
INSLATION
Image courtesy of Owens Corning
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT
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Most homes have more windows than doors. The best windows shut
tightly and are constructed of two or more pieces of glass. Caulk
any cracks around the windows and make sure they seal tightly.
With older windows, install storm windows or sheets of clear plastic
to create added air barriers. Insulated blinds also help prevent air
owduring heating seasons, open them on sunny days and close
them at night. During cooling seasons, close them during the day
to keep out the sun.
MoistureMoisture is a term used to describe water in both liquid and vapor
form. Like heat and air, it is important to have the right amount of
moisture in a building. Most moisture indoors exists as water vapor.
The amount of water vapor in the air plays an important role in
determining our health and comfort.
Humidity is a measurement of the total amount of water vapor in
the air. Relative humidity measures the amount of water vapor in
the air compared to the amount of water vapor the air is able to
hold, which depends on the temperature of the air.
Air acts like a sponge and absorbs water through the process of
evaporation. Warmer air, with greater energy, can support more
water vapor than colder air, which has less energy. When cold air
from outdoors is heated, it feels very dry and makes the occupants
of the building uncomfortable. Furthermore, moisture in the air in
a room will help it resist changes in temperature, which can reduce
the number of times a heating or air conditioning system has to run.
The correct humidity level can also help promote a healthy indoor
environment. Humidity levels should be kept between 35% adn
50%.
LandscapingAlthough you cannot control the weather, you can plant trees to
block the wind and provide shade. Properly placed trees and bushes
can reduce the energy needed to keep your home comfortable.
Deciduous trees, for example, are good to plant on the south side
of a building in the Northern Hemisphere, since their leaves provide
shade in summer and their bare branches allow sunlight through
in the winter.
1
2
2
2 3
3
3
4 4
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
5
6
6 6
6
6
7
7
7
All of Alaska is in Zone 7 except for the
following boroughs in Zone 8:
Bethel Northwest Arctic, Dellingham SoutheastFairbanks, Fairbanks N. Star Wade Hampton, Nome
Yukon-Koyukuk, North Slope
Zone 1 includes Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
ZONE
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
ATTIC
R30 to R49
R30 to R60
R30 to R60
R38 to R60
R38 to R60R49 to R60
R49 to R60
R49 to R60
CATHEDRAL
CEILING
R22 to R38
R22 to R38
R22 to R38
R30 to R38
R30 to R60R30 to R60
R30 to R60
R30 to R60
CAVITY
R13 to R15
R13 to R15
R13 to R15
R13 to R15
R13 to R21R13 to R21
R13 to R21
R13 to R21
INSULATION
SHEATHING
None
None
R2.5 to R5
R2.5 to R6
R2.5 to R6R5 to R6
R5 to R6
R5 to R6
FLOOR
R13
R13, R19 to R25
R25
R25 to R30
R25 to R30R25 to R30
R25 to R30
R25 to R30
WALL INSULATION
Data: U.S. Department of Energy
Recommended R-Values or New Wood-ramed Homes
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Appliances and MachinesLights, appliances, and machines (including refrigerators and
freezers, which use four percent) use about 45 percent of a typical
households energy, with refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers
and dryers at the top of the list. Any appliance that is designed to
change temperature uses a lot of energy. You can save energy by:
turning o appliances and machines
when you arent using them;
using the energy-saver setting ondishwashers and refrigerators;
keeping the doors closed as much as
possible on refrigerators and freezers
know what you want before you open the
doors;
being aware that many machines use
energy even when turned osave
energy by unplugging them; and
using machines and appliances during the morning and evening,
not during peak demand time.
When you shop for a new appliance, you should think of two pricetags. The rst one covers the purchase pricethe down payment.
The second price tag is the cost of operating the appliance. Youll
pay the second price tag on your utility bill every month for the next
10 to 20 years. An energy ecient appliance will usually cost more,
but it will save a lot of money in energy costs. An energy ecient
model is almost always a better deal.
ENERGY STARWhen you shop for a new appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR
labelyour guarantee that the product saves energy. ENERGY STAR
appliances have been identied as the most energy ecient. If the
average American were to equip his/her home only with ENERGY
STAR products, he/she would cut his/her energy bills, as well asgreenhouse gas emissions, by about 30 percent. A list of energy
ecient appliances can be found on the ENERGY STAR web site
at www.energystar.gov.
EnergyGuide LabelsAnother way to determine which appliance is more energy ecient
is to compare energy usage using EnergyGuide labels. The
government requires most appliances to display bright yellow and
black EnergyGuide labels. Although these labels do not tell you
which appliance is the most ecient, they will tell you the annual
energy consumption and operating cost of each appliance so you
can compare them.
Refrigerators, for example, use about four percent of householdenergy. Replacing an older refrigerator with a new energy ecient
model can save on energy bills. With older models, a large amount
of electricity can be saved by setting the refrigerator temperature at
3740F (3-5C), the freezer temperature at 5F (-15C), and making
sure that the energy saver switch is in use.
Refrigerators should also be airtight. Make sure the gaskets around
the doors are clean and seal tightly. Close the door on a piece of
paperif you can easily pull out the paper when the door is closed,
you need to replace the gaskets.
ENERGYGIDE LABEL
KITCHEN ExHAST SYSTEM
Kitchenexhaustfansremovemoisturefromtheair,whichpreventsmoldgrowthandotherrelatedproblemsthat canoccur fromexcesswatervapor.
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LightingAbout 6 percent of the electricity consumed in homes is used for
lighting. Much of this is the result of using inecient lighting. Many
homes use incandescent lighting. Only 10 percent of the energy
consumed by an incandescent bulb actually produces light; the rest
is given o as heat. There are other more ecient lighting choices on
the market, including halogens, uorescents, and LEDs. Halogens
are sometimes called energy-saving incandescent bulbs because
they last longer, and use less energy than traditional incandescent
bulbs, however they can burn hotter than incandescent lightsdo. Fluorescent lights produce very little heat and are even more
ecient. Most schools use uorescent tube lighting throughout the
building, but may use incandescent bulbs in other spaces around
the school.
Fluorescent lights can help cut lighting costs 30 to 60 percent and
reduce environmental impacts. Converting to compact uorescent
light bulbs (CFLs) in your home is one of the quickest and easiest
ways to decrease your energy bill. You can save about $6.00 in
energy costs each year for every 100W incandescent bulb you
replace. Compact uorescent light bulbs provide the same amount
of light and save energy.
A uorescent lamp is a glass tube lined inside with a phosphorcoating. The tube is lled with argon gas and a small amount of
mercury. At the ends of the tube are electrodes that generate an
electric eld when electricity ows through them. The energized
electrons cause the mercury gas to emit UV (ultra violet) light. The
invisible UV light strikes the phosphor coating which emits visible
light.
Fluorescent lights have ballasts that help move the electricity
through the gas inside the bulb. There are two types of ballasts,
magnetic and electronic. Electronic ballasts use up to 30 percent
less energy than magnetic ballasts and can eliminate ickering and
noise.
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are commonly found in electronicdevices and exit signs. Now they are oered as options in home
lighting. ENERGY STAR qualied LEDs use 75-80 percent less
energy than incandescent bulbs and last much longer. LED bulbs
cost more than incandescent bulbs and CFLs, but prices are going
down as more LEDs become available. LEDs are better suited for
some locations than CFLs such as in outdoor or dimmable xtures.
An LED light bulb is actually made of several LEDs connected
to produce a specic amount of light. Inside each LED, there are
two areas; the N-type and the P-type. The material in the N-type
contains substances that have free electrons. The materials in the
P-type contain substances that can accept electrons. Electrons
from the N-type naturally move to the P-type. When electricity isapplied, electrons move from the P-type back into the N-type, and
are energized. When the electrons release the extra energy, they
move once again back into the P-type material and release light.
The color of the light depends on which materials are used to make
the N-type and P-type parts of the LED. Dierent materials make
dierent colors of light.
In uorescent tubes, a very small amount of mercury mixes with
inert gases to conduct the electrical current. This allows the
phosphor coating on the glass tube to emit light.
Fluorescent Tube Lamp
Mercury and
inert gases
Phosphor coating
Base with bi-pin plug
INCANDESCENT BLB CFL BLB LED BLB
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) oer better light quality than
incandescent bulbs, last 25 times as long, and use 75-80 percentless energy than incandescents. Expect to see LEDs more widely
used in the future as technology improves and costs come down.
Compact Fluorescent Lamps
Compact uorescent lamps (CFLs) come in a variety of styles for dierent purposes.
CFLs cut lighting costs 30-60 percent.
Only 10 percent of the energy used byan incandescent bulb produces light.
The rest is given o as heat.
Did You Know?
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Water HeatingWater heating is a signicant energy expense in homes. It typically
accounts for about 18 percent of the average utility bill. Heated
water is used for showers, baths, laundry, dish washing, and cleaning.
There are ve main ways you can lower your water heating bills:
use less hot water;
make sure there are no water leaks or drips;
turn down the thermostat on your water heater;
insulate your water heater and water pipes; and
buy an ENERGY STAR or energy ecient water heater.
The easiest way to cut the cost of heating water is to reduce the
amount of hot water you use. This can be done with little cost and
minor changes in lifestyle. A family of four, each showering for ve
minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week. You can cut that
amount in half by using a low ow shower head.
Other ways to conserve hot water include taking showers instead of
baths, taking shorter showers, xing leaks in faucets and pipes, and
using the lowest temperature wash and rinse settings on clothes
washers.
Most water heater thermostats are set much higher than necessary.Lowering the temperature setting on your water heater saves
energy. Lowering the temperature 10 degrees can result in energy
savings of three to ve percent. Buying an energy ecient water
heater can save $100-$300 a year.
CookingCooking food is another task that uses energyusually natural
gas, electricity, or propane. Most homes have several appliances
for cooking foodstoves, ovens, microwaves, and toaster ovens. To
save energy when you are cooking:
Use a toaster oven or microwave instead of the oven whenever you
can. These smaller appliances use less energy.
Preheat the oven for only ve minutes.
Leave the oven door closed so hot air does not escape. Use a timer
instead of checking on the food every few minutes.
Transportation SectorAmericans make up less than ve percent of the worlds population,
yet we own a quarter of the worlds automobiles. The transportation
sector of the economy accounts for about 28 percent of total energy
use. America is a country on the move.
The average American uses 600 gallons of gasoline every year. The
average vehicle is driven more than 12,000 miles per year. That
number is expected to increase signicantly during the next 20
years if Americans do not change their driving habits by using public
transportation, carpooling, walking, or bicycling. You can achieve 10
percent fuel savings by improving your driving habits and keeping
your car properly maintained.
When buying a vehicle, your family can save a lot by choosing a fuel-
ecient model. All new cars must display a Fuel Economy Label that
lists the estimated miles per gallon for both city and highway driving.
The combined average fuel economy for passenger cars, light trucks
and SUVs is 29.2 mpg. New hybrid vehicles on the market today can
achieve up to 50 mpg. If you buy a fuel-ecient vehicle, you can sav
thousands of dollars and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
$400
$350
$300
$250
$200
$150
$100
$50
$0STANDARD GASWATER HEATER
ENERGY STARQUALIFIED TANKLESS
WATER HEATER
ANNUAL ENERGY COSTS PER YEAR
Data: ENERGY STAR
Water Heater Comparison
1. Estimated average MPG for city driving2. City MPG for most drivers will fall within this range3. Shows the combined city/highway MPG for this vehicle
compared to others in its class4. Estimated average MPG for highway driving5. Highway MPG for most drivers will fall within this range6. Fuel cost based on 15,000 miles per year at $3.00 per
gallon for regular unleaded and $3.20 for premium
1
2
3
4
5
6
Fuel Economy Label
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Industrial SectorManufacturing the goods we use every day consumes an enormous
amount of energy. The industrial sector of the economy consumes
almost one-third of the nations energy. In industry, energy eciency
and conservation are driven by economicsmoney. Manufacturers
know that they must keep their products as cheap as possible so
people will buy them.
Since energy is one of the biggest costs in many industries,
manufacturers must use as little energy as possible. Their
demand for energy ecient equipment has resulted in many new
technologies in the last decades. Consumers can have an eect on
industrial energy use through the product choices we make and
what we do with the packaging and the products we no longer use.
A Consumer SocietyNot only is America a consumer society, it is also a throw away
society. America produces almost twice as much trash as any other
developed country. The average person throws away more than
1,600 pounds of trash a year.
The best way for consumers to reduce the amount of energy used
by industry is to not buy unnecessary products and to repair andreuse items wherever possible. Buying only those items you need,
as well as reusing and recycling products, can reduce energy use
in the industrial sector. The 4 R's of an energy-wise consumer are
easy to put into practice. Managing waste saves money, energy, and
natural resources, and helps protect the environment.
ReduceBuy only what you need. Buying
fewer goods means less to
throw away. It also means fewer
goods are produced and less
energy is used to manufacture
them. Buying goods withless packaging also reduces
the amount of waste and the
amount of energy used.
ReuseBuy products that can be used
more than once. If you buy
things that can be reused rather
than disposable items that are
used once and thrown away,
you save natural resources. You
will also save the energy used
to make them, and reduce theamount of landll space needed
to contain the waste. Savings
also result when you buy things that are durable. They may cost
more, but they last a long time and do not need to be replaced
often, saving money and energy.
RepairMany people throw away products when they break and buy new
ones. Many of these products could be easily and cheaply repaired.
Always consider repairing a product before throwing it away. It
saves energy, money, and natural resources.
RecycleMake it a priority to recycle all materials that you can. Using recycled
material to make new products almost always consumes less
energy than using new materials. Recycling reduces energy needsfor mining, rening, and many other manufacturing processes.
Recycling one pound of steel saves 5,450 BTUs (British thermal
units) of energy, enough to light a 60-watt bulb for 26 hours
Recycling one ton of glass saves the equivalent of nine gallons of
fuel oil. Recycling aluminum cans
saves 95 percent of the energy
required to produce aluminum
from ore. Recycling paper cuts
energy usage in half.
Recycling is only part of
the process to save energy.
Consumers also need to make aneort to buy recycled goods. Many products now have labels that
tell consumers how much recycled material they contain.
Energy SustainabilityEciency and conservation are key components of energy
sustainabilitythe concept that every generation should meet
its energy needs without compromising the needs of future
generations. Sustainability focuses on long-term actions that
make sure there is enough energy to meet todays needs as well as
tomorrows.
Sustainability also includes the development of new cleantechnologies for using fossil fuels, promoting the use of renewable
energy sources, and encouraging policies that protect the
environment.
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Miles per Gallon
1980 1990 2000 2010
35
2016
*By 2016 new model cars and light trucks will have to meet a 35 mpg fuel
economy standard.
1973
Average Fuel Economy of New Passenger Cars
Data: U.S. Department of Energy
13.4
24.3
28.0 28.533.8
35.5*
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Forms o Energy
POTENTIAL
Stored energy and the energy ofposition (gravitational).
CHEMICAL ENERGY is the energystored in the bonds of atoms andmolecules. Biomass, petroleum,natural gas, propane, and coal areexamples.
NUCLEAR ENERGY is the energy
stored in the nucleus of an atom the energy that holds the nucleustogether. The energy in the nucleusof a uranium atom is an example.
STORED MECHANICAL ENERGYis energy stored in objects by theapplication of force. Compressed
springs and stretched rubber bandsare examples.
GRAVITATIONAL ENERGY is theenergy of place or position. Waterin a reservoir behind a hydropowerdam is an example.
KINETIC
The motion of waves, electrons,atoms, molecules, and substances.
RADIANT ENERGY iselectromagnetic energy that travelsin transverse waves. Solar energy isan example.
THERMAL ENERGY or heat is theinternal energy in substances the
vibration or movement of atomsand molecules in substances.Geothermal is an example.
MOTION is the movement ofa substance from one place toanother. Wind and hydropower areexamples.
SOUND is the movement of energythrough substances in longitudinalwaves.
ELECTRICAL ENERGY is themovement of electrons. Lightningand electricity are examples.
All orms o energy all under two categories:
LESSON 1
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1. Petroleum
2. Wind
3. Biomass
4. Uranium
5. Propane
6. Solar
7. Geothermal
8. Hydropower
9. Coal
10. Natural Gas
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
_____
Black rock burned to make electricity.
Energy rom heat inside the Earth.
Energy rom owing water.
Energy rom wood, waste, and garbage.
Energy rom moving air.
Energy rom splitting atoms.
Portable ossil uel used in grills.
Fossil uel or cars, trucks, and jets.
Fossil uel gas moved by pipeline.
Energy in rays rom the sun.
Energy Source MatchingWrite the number o the energy source on the line next to its denition.
LESSON 1
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Forms and Sources
The energy we use in the U.S. is mainly provided by the ollowing sources o energy. Write the orm o
energyin what orm the energy is stored or deliveredor each o the sources on the line to the right
LESSON 1
Motion
Chemical
Radiant
Thermal
Nuclear
What percentage o U.S. energy is provided by each orm o energy? By renewables? Nonrenewables?
NonrenewablesPetroleum
Natural Gas
Coal
Uranium
Propane
Renewables
Nonrenewables
Data: Energy Information Administration
BIOMASS 4.4%
Uses: heating, electricitytransportation
COAL 21.3%
Uses: electricity,manufacturing
GEOTHERMAL 0.2%
Uses: heating, electricity
HYDROPOWER 2.6%
Uses: electricity
PETROLEUM 35.1%
Uses: transportation,manufacturing
PROPANE 1.6%
Uses: heating,manufacturing
URANIUM 8.6%
Uses: electricity
WIND 0.9%
Uses: electricity
SOLAR 0.1%
Uses: heating, electricity
RENEWABLENONRENEWABLE
U.S. Energy Consumption by Source, 2010
NATURAL GAS 25.2%
Uses: heating,manufacturing, electricity
RenewablesBiomass
Hydropower
Wind
Geothermal
Solar
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Circle the things you used or did in the let column. When you have completed the list, your teache
will show you how many Energy Bucks each activity or device uses. Write those numbers in the righcolumn, then add them together to nd your Total Energy Bucks Used.
What device woke me up this morning? ENERGY BCKS
Alarm Clock or Radio ________________
What devices were used to make my breakast?
Microwave ________________
Stove/Oven ________________
Toaster Oven ________________
Refrigerator ________________
What devices did I use as I got ready or
school this morning?
Air Conditioning/Heating ________________
Radio/CD Player/MP3 Player ________________
Gaming System ________________
TV/DVD Player ________________
Shower/Bath ________________Hair Dryer ________________
Curling Iron/Curlers/Flat Iron ________________
Telephone/Cell Phone ________________
Computer ________________
What rooms had lights turned on this morning?
Bedroom ________________
Bathroom ________________
Kitchen ________________
Family Room ________________
Other ________________
The Energy I sed TodayLESSON 1
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How did I get to school today? ENERGY BCKS
Walk ________________
Bicycle ________________
School Bus ________________
Carpool ________________
Family Vehicle ________________
What devices did I use ater school yesterday?
Air Conditioning/Heating ________________
Travel in Vehicle ________________Lights ________________
Computer ________________
Video Game System ________________
CD Player/Radio/iPod/mp3 Player ________________
TV/DVD Player ________________
Telephone/Cell phone ________________
Snack Preparation ________________
What devices were used at home last night?Air Conditioning/Heating ________________
Microwave ________________
Stove/Oven ________________
Toaster Oven ________________
Refrigerator ________________
Grill ________________
Lights ________________
TV/DVD Player ________________
Gaming System ________________
Shower/Bath ________________
Hair Dryer ________________
Telephone/Cell Phone ________________
Computer ________________
TotalEnergyBucksUsed ____________
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Tra
nsporting
Electricity
LESSON1
Explainwhateachofthecomponen
tsnumberedbelowdoestog
etelectricityfromthegeneratortotheconsumer.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1.Powerplant:____
__________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
2.Step-uptransform
er:______________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
3.Transmissionline
:________________________
__________________________
_______________________________________
4.Powertower:___
__________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
5.Step-downtransf
ormer:____________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
6.Distributionline:
__________________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
7.Neighborhoodtransformer:________________
___________________________________________________
_____________
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1. Dene energy.
2. Dene renewable.
3. Dene nonrenewable.
4. List the ten major energy sources and categorize them as renewable (R) or nonrenewable (NR).
1. ____________________________ 6. ___________________________________
2. ____________________________ 7. ___________________________________
3. ____________________________ 8. ___________________________________
4. ____________________________ 9. ___________________________________
5. ____________________________ 10. __________________________________
5. Make a list of the forms of energy and give an example of each.
1. _______________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________
4. _______________________________________________________________________
5. _______________________________________________________________________
6. _______________________________________________________________________
7. _______________________________________________________________________
8. _______________________________________________________________________
9. _______________________________________________________________________
6. Using The Energy I Used Todayworksheet, add up the number of activities that used electricity.
ReectionsLESSON 1
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. Describe what you do on a typical weekend and how your weekend would be dierent if you had noelectricity.
2. Describe the energy sources an early pioneer might have used for lighting, heating, cooking, andtransportation.
3. Looking at The Energy I Used Today list, how would you change your behavior if you had to reduce yourtotal energy expenses by 10 Energy Bucks?
4. Why is so much of the energy we use today in the form of electricity?
ConnectionsLESSON 1
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sing Energy at SchoolLESSON 2
Energy se at School Diagrams
Your assignment is to draw three diagramsone of the entire school building, one of your classroom, and onof the work area your teacher assigns to you. Begin by making sketches of your school, classroom, and worarea on notebook paper.
The next three pages are blank grids. Look at the diagram sample below to help you draw your school diagramLook at the diagrams on pages 24 and 27 as inspiration to help you draw your classroom and work areadiagrams. When you think your sketches are accurate, draw your diagrams on the grids. Use the symbolbelow to indicate windows and doors.
Make your diagram of the school large, but leave empty space around the building because you will be addingto the outside later.
Make the classroom and work area diagrams as large as possible.
i i
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My SchoolLESSON 2
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My ClassroomLESSON 2
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My Work Area: ______________________LESSON 2
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My Work Area: _______________________________________________________________
Members o My Work Group: _____________________________________________________
1. How many exterior doors does your work area have? ______ Interior doors? ______
2. How many windows does your work area have? ______
3. How many electrical outlets does your work area have? ______
4. How many light xtures does your work area have? ______
5. How many energy-consuming devices does your work area have? ______
6. How many heating/cooling devices or vents does your work area have? ______
Complete the chart below with data rom your diagrams and the other work groups:
LOCATION DOORS WINDOWS LIGHTSELECTRICAL
DEVICES
HEATING/COOLING
DEVICES/VENTS
ELECTRICALOTLETS
OTHER
BILDING
CLASSROOM
OFFICE
LIBRARY
CAFETERIA
GYMNASIM
Notes:
ReectionsLESSON 2
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Energy Use at Home Diagrams
Your assignment is to draw a diagram of your home like the example below. Begin by making sketches of youhome on notebook paper. If your home has several oors, make a sketch of each oor. The next two pages areblank grids. When you think your sketches are accurate, draw your diagram on the grids. If you have severaoors, use both pages. Use the symbols above to indicate windows and doors. Make your diagrams largebecause you will be adding to them throughout the unit.
Home Activity 1LESSON 3
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My Home 1LESSON 3
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My Home 2LESSON 3
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Energy se at Home Diagrams
Your assignment is to draw diagrams of your kitchen and bedroom like the example below. Begin by makingsketches of the rooms on notebook paper. When you think your sketches are accurate, draw your diagrams onthe grids on the next two pages. Use the symbols below to indicate windows, doors, electrical outlets, lightsceiling fans, appliances, and other electrical devices.
The sample diagram below is of a kitchen with a laundry room and pantry. It has three doors, two windowsand seven electrical outlets. There are two lights in the kitchen area and one ceiling fan with a light, one lighin the pantry, and one light in the laundry room. There are two labeled appliances in the laundry room (washeand dryer) and four labeled appliances in the kitchen (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microwave). Thereare also four smaller appliances in the kitchen that are not labeled. They are a garbage disposal, a coee maker,an electric can opener, and a toaster.
Home Activity 2LESSON 3
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My KitchenLESSON 3
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My BedroomLESSON 3
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Investigating Home Energy se
1. What tools and steps did you use to make accurate diagrams of your home?
2. How many exterior doors are in your home? ______
3. How many windows are in your home? ______
4. How many appliances did you nd in your kitchen? ______
5. How many energy-consuming devices did you nd in your bedroom? ______
6. How many light bulbs are in your home? ______
7. How many of these light bulbs are CFLs? ______
ReectionsLESSON 3
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. Describe the information that surprised you the most as you completed your Energy Use at Homediagrams.
2. Describe one way your family wastes energy and what you could do to change that behavior.
3. Describe one way your family saves energy.
ConnectionsLESSON 3
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LESSON 4
Reading an Electric Meter
The meters below show the readings for the rst and last days of January. See if you can determine how much electricity was used during
the month. Read the meter dials and record the numbers on the lines below the dials. If the pointer is between two numbers, always
record the smaller number.
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh is measured as one kilowatt (1,000 watts) of power consumed for one hour.
How much electricity was used in January? Lets nd out. Subtract the January 1 reading from the January 31 reading to nd the
kilowatt-hours of electricity that were used during January.
January 31 reading = ______________________
January 1 reading = ______________________
Electricity used = ______________________ kWh
If the power company charges $0.10 for every kilowatt-hour of electricity (the national average for commercial customers in 2010) that
is used , what is the cost of the electricity that was used in January? Lets nd out. Multiply the kilowatt-hours of electricity used by the
cost per kilowatt-hour.
____________ kWh X $0.10/kWh = $ ______________________
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LESSON 4
Reading a Natural Gas Meter
The natural gas meters below show the readings for the rst and last days of January. See if you can determine how much natural gas was
used during the month. Read the meter dials and record the numbers on the lines below the dials. If the pointer is between two numbersalways record the smaller number.
Natural gas is measured in CF or cubic feet, a measure of its volumehow much space it occupies. A cubic foot of natural gas is a small
amount of fuel, so most gas meters measure natural gas in hundreds of cubic feetor CCF. The rst C means one hundred (from the
Roman numbering system).
100 cubic eet = 100 CF = 1 CCF
How much natural gas was used in January? Lets nd out. Subtract the January 1 reading from the January 31 reading to nd the
volume of natural gas that was used during January.
January 31 reading = _______________
January 1 reading = _______________
Natural gas used = ______________ CCF
The meter measures the natural gas in CCF, but the natural gas company charges by the amount of heat energy the gas contains. Heat
energy is measured in therms. One CCF of natural gas contains on average one therm of heat energy. If the gas company charges $0.98
for a therm of gas (the national average for commercial customers in 2010), how much did the gas cost in January? (1 CCF = 1 therm)
______________ CCF gas used = _____________ therm o heat energy
Cost = ______________ therm X $0.98/therm = $ ______________
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School tility MetersLESSON 4
On the diagrams below, record the readings of the electric and natural gas meters at your school. If your schools meters do not have dials
draw pictures of the meters on the bottom of the page and record the readings.
ELECTRIC METER NATURAL GAS METER
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Home Activity 1LESSON 4
Reading Your Electric Meter at Home1. Your rst assignment is to locate the electric meter at your home with the help of an adult, and add it to your homediagram using the symbol to the right.
2. Your second assignment is to read your electric meter at the same time on two consecutive days and record the readings on the meter
faces below. Determine the amount of electricity used during the 24-hour period in kilowatt-hours, then calculate the cost of the
electricity used if the rate for residential customers is $0.12 per kilowatt-hour. Finally, multiply the cost of electricity for one day by 30,
to determine the cost of electricity for a month if you use the same amount of electricity each day.
3. If you do not have access to your electric meter, use the meter readings of someone in the class to calculate costs.
Day 1 Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Day 2 Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Electricity Used: Day 2 Reading ____________ kWh
Day 1 Reading ____________ kWh
Electricity Used ____________ kWh
Cost or One Day: ______________ kWh x $0.12/kWh = $ _______________
Cost or One Month: $______________ x 30 days/mo. = $ _______________
E
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Home Activity 2LESSON 4
Reading Your Natural Gas Meter at Home1. Your rst assignment is to locate the natural gas meter at your home with the help of an adult, and add it to yourhome diagram using the symbol to the right.
2. Your second assignment is to read your natural gas meter at the same time on two consecutive days and record the readings on the
meter faces below. Determine the volume of natural gas used during the 24-hour period (CCF), convert the volume to the amount
of heat energy used (therms), then calculate the cost of the natural gas used if the rate for residential customers is $1.20 per therm.
Finally, multiply the cost of natural gas for one day by 30, to determine the cost of natural gas for a month if you use the same amount
of natural gas each day.
3. If you do not have access to your natural gas meter, use the meter readings of someone in the class to calculate costs.
Day 1 Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Day 2 Date: ____________________ Time: ____________________
Natural Gas Used: Day 2 Reading ____________ CCF = _____________ therm
Day 1 Reading ____________ CCF = _____________ therm
Natural Gas Used ____________ CCF = _____________ therm
Cost or One Day: _____________ therm x $1.20/therm = $ _______________
Cost or One Month: $____________ therm x 30 days/mo. = $ _______________
NG
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Measuring Energy se
1. How many electric meters are there at your school? ______ Natural gas meters? ______
2. Does your school pay more or less than residential customers for energy?
3. If your family uses about the same amount of electricity each month, how much electricity would yourhome use in a year? ______________ kWh
4. How much would you pay for electricity for a year at a cost of $0.12/kWh? $ _______________
5. If you reduced your electricity consumption by 10 kWh per day, how much money would you save in ayear? $ _______________
6. The average household in the U.S. is expected to have paid about $1,200 for electricity in 2011. How doesyour predicted cost compare to the national average?
7. If your family uses about the same amount of natural gas each month, how much would your home usein a year? ______________ CCF
8. How much would you pay for natural gas for a year at a cost of $1.20/therm? $ _______________
9. If you reduced your natural gas consumption by 2 CCF per day, how much money would you save in a
year? $ _______________
10.The average household in the U.S. is expected to have paid about $1,000 for natural gas in 2011. Howdoes your predicted cost compare to the national average?
ReectionsLESSON 4
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. Describe an easy way you and your family could reduce electricity consumption at home and how youmight get everyone in your family to join in your plan.
2. Describe one way that your school uses more electricity than it needs and how you might reduce thatconsumption.
3. Explain how to read an electric meter.
4. Compare the cost of electricity and natural gas in your areato the national average costs.
ConnectionsLESSON 4
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Insulation Investigation
ObjectiveTo investigate the insulating properties of dierent materials.
Materials2 Radiation cans
2 Thermometers
Insulating material
Tape
2 Rubber bands
Hot water (provided by teacher)
Procedure1. Remove the tops from the cans.
2. Use the insulating material to insulate one can on the sides only.
3. Ask your teacher to ll both of your cans with hot water. Replace the tops.
4. Suspend a thermometer through the hole in each top, making sure it does not touch the bottom or the sides of the can.
5. In the chart below, record the temperature (C) of the water in the cans at two-minute intervals for 20 minutes. Your teacher will keep
track of the time with a timer.
6. Graph the results on the graph below.
Data Table
TYPE OF INSULATION: ____________________________________
TIME (MIN) 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Insulated
Uninsulated
LESSON 5
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Home Activity
Investigating Home Insulation and Inltration
Reading
Pages 5, 7-11 in your Energy Savers booklet
MaterialsElectrical outlet and switchplate gaskets
Screwdriver
Ruler
Procedure1. If you have access to your attic, measure the amount of insulation with the help of an adult.
_____ < 5 inches 2 points
_____ 5-10 inches 4 points
_____ > 10 inches 6 points
2. Open your outside doors and check the condition of the weatherstripping between the doors and the door-frame.
_____ none 0 points
_____ poor 2 points
_____ fair 4 points
_____ good 6 points
3. Using the map on page 9 of the Energy Savers booklet, determine in which Insulation Zone your home is located.
Zone ____________________
4. According to the map, what are the recommended R ratings in your Insulation Zone for the following:Attic __________
Walls __________
Floors __________
5. Using the graphic on page 7 of the Energy Savers booklet, decide with your family the ve areas of your home you will check for air leaks
1. _______________ 4. _______________
2. _______________ 5. _______________
3. _______________
6. Using the picture on page 5 of the Energy Savers booklet, determine the top three ways air can escape from your home.
1. ____________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________
Actions1. With an adult, check the wall switches and electrical sockets for air leaks.
2. With an adult, install the switchplate and electrical outlet gaskets where air leaks are found.
LESSON 5
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Insulation
1. In 20 minutes, how much did the temperature of the water in the uninsulated can change?
2. In 20 minutes, how much did the temperature of the water in the insulated can change?
3. After 20 minutes, what was the dierence in temperature between the insulated and uninsulated cans?
4. Which material was the best insulator?
5. Which material was the worst insulator?
6. What variables in the experiment might make the results unreliable?
7. How might you change the experiment to get more reliable results?
ReectionsLESSON 5
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. Describe what you learned from the insulation experiment and how it relates to saving energy at home.
2. Encourage homeowners to make sure they have adequate insulation in their homes.
ConnectionsLESSON 5
Image courtesy of Owens Corning
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-20% -10% 0% +10% +20% +30% +40% +50%
+30% +20% +10% 0 -10% -20%+30% +20% +10% 0 -10% -20%
ENERGY SAVINGENERGY WASTING ENERGY SAVINGENERGY WASTING
COOLINGCOOLING
HEATING
ENERGY SAVING ENERGY WASTING
Materials
Digital thermometerDigital humidity/temperature pen
Procedure
1. After viewing the schools heating and cooling system, add it to your school diagram, using the star symbol to the right.
2. Find out the answers to the following questions:
Which system is in operation? ____________________________________
What energy source fuels the heating system? _________________________
What energy source fuels the cooling system? _________________________
3. Locate the thermostat in the classroom. Add the thermostat to your classroom diagram, using the star symbol above.
4. Record the temperature setting of the thermostat. _________
5. Using the thermometer, record the actual temperature of the classroom. ________
6. Using the Thermostat Temperature Guide below, determine whether your classroom is saving or wasting energy and by how much
________________________________________________________________
7. Using the humidity/temperature pen, measure the humidity in your classroom. ________
8. Using the information in the Student Backgrounder, is your humidity level within a healthy range? ________
9. With your team, locate the thermostat in your work area and add it to your work area diagram.
10. Record the temperature setting of the thermostat. _________
11. Using the thermometer, record the actual temperature of the area. ________
12. Using the Thermostat Temperature Guide below, determine whether your area is saving or wasting energy and by how much
________________________________________________________________
Temperature InvestigationLESSON 6
Thermostat Temperature Guide
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Investigating Thermostats
Reading
Pages 12-18 in your Energy Savers booklet
MaterialsThermostat Temperature Guide, page 43
Procedure1. Locate the thermostat(s) in your home and add them to your home diagram using the star symbol above.
2. With the help of an adult, record the thermostat settings for your home:
Cooling Season:
_____ < 74 0 points
_____ 74-75 2 points
_____ 76-77 4 points
_____ > 77 6 points
Heating Season:
_____ >74 0 points
_____ 72-74 2 points
_____ 69-71 4 points
_____ < 68 6 points
3. We change our heating and/or cooling system lters this many times a year:
_____ Never 0 points
_____ Once 2 points
_____ 2-3 times 4 points
_____ > 3 times 6 points
4. Are there any heat-emitting devices located near the thermostat(s)? How would this aect the operation of the thermostat?
5. Show your family the Thermostat Temperature Guide and explain how it can help your family save money and energy.
Decide with your family two ways you can save energy on heating and cooling:1. __________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________
6. Post the Thermostat TemperatureGuide in a prominent place as a reminder to you and your family.
Home ActivityLESSON 6
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Home Heating and Cooling
1. What is the main source of heat for your home (natural gas/electricity/propane/wood-burning stove)?
2. Does your home have a replace, wood-burning stove, or other space heater to provide additional heat?
3. How is your home cooled (central air conditioning/window air conditioners)?
4. Does your family use ceiling fans or other fans to circulate air?
5. Does your home have a programmable thermostat to control the temperature?
6. Does your family use blinds and drapes to help control temperature in your home?
7. Does your home have storm windows and doors?
8. Does your home have an attic fan?
9. Do you use a humidier or dehumidier to control moisture?
ReectionsLESSON 6
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. What area of your house stays the warmest, what area stays the coolest, and why?
2. What are some ways you can be comfortable in your home without adjusting the temperature and usingmore energy?
3. List four ways your family could save energy when heating and cooling your home and explain.
ConnectionsLESSON 6
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Water Heating Investigation
ObjectiveTo investigate hot water heating and use.
Reading
Page 19-20 ofEnergy Savers booklet
Materials1 Flow meter bag
1 Hot water gauge
Digital thermometer
Procedure1. Add the water heating system symbol (use symbol above) to your school diagram.
2. What energy source fuels the water heating system? _______________________
3. Record the temperature setting of the thermostat. __________________
With the help o an adult:
4. Locate all hot water sources in your assigned work area and list them below.
With the ow meter bag, measure the water ow of all sources and record on the chart below. FOR YOUR SAFETY: Measure ONLY COLD
water with the ow meter bag.
With the hot water gauge or digital thermometer, measure the temperature of the hot water at all sources and record on the chart. FOR
YOUR SAFETY: BE CAREFUL not to touch the water.
5. Determine and record the recommended temperature setting from pages 19-20 of theEnergy Savers booklet.
6. Gather data from the other teams and add below .
LOCATION WATER FLOW RECOMMENDED TEMPERATRE ACTAL TEMPERATRE
LESSON 7
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Home Activity 1
Investigating Home Water Heating and sage
Reading
Pages 19-20 in your Energy Savers booklet
MaterialsHot water gauge
Flow meter bag
Kitchen sink aerator
Bathroom sink aerator
Low ow showerhead
Teon tape
ProcedureWith the help o an adult:
1. Locate the water heater and add it to your home diagram using the symbol above.
2. Read and record the temperature setting of the water heater. _________________
3. Locate the EnergyGuide label and record the eciency rating. ________________
_____ uses the most energy 0 points
_____ uses more than average energy 2 points
_____ uses the average energy 3 points
_____ uses less than average energy 4 points
_____ uses the least energy 6 points
4. Use the hot water gauge to measure the temperature of the hot water in your bathroom sink. __________
Actions1. Use the ow meter bag to measure how much COLD water your main shower uses. If the showerhead is NOT ecient, install the low
ow showerhead and measure again.
2. Use the ow meter bag to measure how much COLD water your main bathroom sink and kitchen sink use. If they are NOT ecient
install the energy ecient aerators and measure again.
LESSON 7
The ToolsHot Water Gauge: Measures the temperature of your hot water. See instructions on plastic card.
Flow Meter Bag: Measures the amount of water ow. Instructions are on the bag.
Aerators and Showerheads: Reduce the water ow without reducing pressure. The smaller aerator is for the main bathroom sink; the
larger aerator is for kitchen sink. Install using instructions for showerhead.
Teon Tape: Ensures a tight seal for showerhead and aerators.
WATER FLOW BEFORE INSTALLATION AFTER INSTALLATION
Main Shower
Main Bathroom Sink
Kitchen Sink
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LESSON 7
Home Activity 2
Comparing EnergyGuide Labels
Your family needs to buy a new water heater. Water heaters usually last a long time10 years or moreso you can save a lot of moneyon an energy ecient one. Use the chart below to gure out which water heater to buy, comparing the information on the EnergyGuide
labels.
How many years will it take before you begin to save money?
How much money will you have saved after seven years?
Water Heater 1: Purchase Price: $375.00 Water Heater 2: Purchase Price: $250.00
WATER HEATER 1 ExPENSES COST TO DATE WATER HEATER 2 ExPENSES COST TO DATE
Purchase Price Purchase Price
Year One Year One
Year Two Year Two
Year Three Year Three
Year Four Year Four
Year Five Year Five
Year Six Year Six
Year Seven Year Seven
i i
Water HeaterNatural Gas XYZ Company
Capacity (first hour rating): Model XXYZ60 gallons RP 38
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
Compare the Energy Use of this Water
Heater with Others Before You Buy.
This Model Uses
250 therms/year
Energy Use (therms/year) range of all similar models
Uses Least Uses MostEnergy Energy245 295
Therms/year is a measure of energy use. Your utility company uses it to compute yourbill. Only models with first hour ratings of 56 to 64 gallons are used in this scale.
Natural gas water heaters that use fewer therms/year cost less to operate.This models estimated yearly operating cost is:
$343Based on a 2008 U.S. government national average cost of $1.37 per thermfor natural gas. Your actual operating cost will vary depending on your localutility rates and your use of the product.
Important: Removal of this label before c onsumer purchase is a violation of Federal law (42 U.S.C. 6302).
1
Water HeaterNatural Gas ABC Company
Capacity (first hour rating): Model ABCD60 gallons RP 38
Based on standard U.S. Government tests
Compare the Energy Use of this Water
Heater with Others Before You Buy.
This Model Uses
280 therms/year
Energy Use (therms/year) range of all similar models
Uses Least Uses MostEnergy Energy245 295
Therms/year is a measure of energy use. Your utility company uses it to compute yourbill. Only models with first hour ratings of 56 to 64 gallons are used in this scale.
Natural gas water heaters that use fewer therms/year cost less to operate.This models estimated yearly operating cost is:
$384Based on a 2008 U.S. government national average cost of $1.37 per thermfor natural gas. Your actual operating cost will vary depending on your localutility rates and your use of the product.
Important: Removal of this label before consumer purchase is a violation of Federal law (42 U.S.C. 6302 ).
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Water Heating and sage
1. Do you have an electric or natural gas water heater?
2. How old is your water heater?
3. Is your water heater wrapped with an insulating blanket?
4. Is your water heater set at the recommended temperature? If not, what is the setting? ________
5. How ecient is your water heater according to the EnergyGuide label?
6. Did you install the low ow showerhead and aerators? Why or why not?
7. Use the chart on page 20 of your Energy Savers booklet to determine the top uses of hot water in yourhome:
1. _________________________________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________________________________
ReectionsLESSON 7
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. What can you and your family do to reduce your hot water use?
2. What did you learn using the hot water gauge and the ow meter bag?
3. Explain how buying an energy ecient appliance can save money,even if it costs more to buy.
ConnectionsLESSON 7
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Windows Investigation
ObjectiveTo investigate windows and air inltration.
Reading
Pages 21-22 ofEnergy Savers booklet
Materials1 Pencil
1 Piece of tape
1 Piece of tissue paper (1 x 12)
Preparation
Tape a piece of tissue paper to the end of a pencil as shown in the picture.
Procedure
IN THE CLASSROOM
1. Examine the window(s) in your classroom and record your observations.
Direction windows face ________________________________
Single or double pane _________________________________
Special coating ______________________________________
Blinds or shades _____________________________________
Locking mechanism __________________________________
Caulking and weatherstripping ____________________________
Other observations ___________________________________2. Use the pencil with the tissue paper to check for air inltration around the windows when they are closed. The tissue paper will utter i
any air is inltrating. Record your observations.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IN THE WORK AREA
1. Examine the window(s) in your work area and record your observations.
Direction windows face ________________________________
Single or double pane _________________________________
Special coating ______________________________________
Blinds or shades _____________________________________ Locking mechanism __________________________________
Caulking & weatherstripping ____________________________
Other observations ___________________________________
2. Use the pencil with the tissue paper to check for air inltration around the windows when they are closed. The tissue paper will utter i
any air is inltrating. Record your observations.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LESSON 8
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Investigating Windows and Air Inltration
Reading
Pages 21-22 in your Energy Savers bookletwith your family
MaterialsPencil with tissue paper
Procedure1. Examine the windows in your home and record your observations.
Number of windows _____
Age of windows _____
_____ single pane - no storm windows 0 points_____ single pane with plastic sheeting 2 points
_____ single pane with storm windows 4 points
_____ double pane 6 points
_____ double pane with gas ll 8 points
Special coating _____ yes _____ no
Heavy blinds or shades _____ yes _____ no
Awnings over South or West facing _____ yes _____ no
Locking mechanism _____ yes _____ no
Caulking and weatherstripping _____ yes _____ no
Other observations __________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Use the pencil with the tissue paper to check for air inltration around the windows when they are closed. The tissue paper will utter if
any air is inltrating. Record your observations.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Home Activity
LESSON 8
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Windows and Air Inltration
1. Was there air inltration from any of the windows in your classroom or work area?
2. Are any of the windows in your classroom or work area cracked or broken?
3. How would you rate the overall energy eciency of your schools windows?
4. What could you do besides replacing the windows to make your schools windows more energy ecient?
5. Was there air inltration from any of the windows in your home?
6. Are any of the windows in your home cracked or broken?
7. How would you rate the overall energy eciency of your homes windows?
8. What could you do besides replacing the windows to make your homes windows more energy ecient?
ReectionsLESSON 8
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Choose a ormat such as a newspaper article, postcard, bookmark, brochure, or yer to complete one
o the activities listed below.
1. What can you and your family do to make your windows more energy ecient?
2. What did you learn by examining your windows and investigating air inltration through your windows?
3. List Energy Saving Tips for windows.
ConnectionsLESSON 8
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Light Bulb Investigation
ObjectiveTo compare the output of an incandescent to a compact uorescent
light bulb.
Materials2 Lamps
1 Incandescent light bulb
1 Compact uorescent bulb
1 Light meter
Textbooks
Preparation
Read all of the steps in the procedure.
Hypothesis
Procedure1. Place the incandescent bulb in one lamp and the compact uorescent bulb in the other.
2. Place the lamps on a table on identical stacks of books as shown in the diagram above.
3. Plug the lamps into an outlet and turn them on.
4. Use the light meter to measure the light output of the lamps.
5. Record your measurements and calculations in the table below.
6. Compare the output measured by the light meter to the stated output of the bulbs.
Data
BLBS FOOT-CANDLES FROM LIGHT METER STATED LMEN OTPT
Incandescent
Compact Fluorescent
Conclusion
What did you learn about the light output of an incandescent bulb and compact uorescent light bulb? Use data to support your answer
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An incandescent bulb produces light by passing electricity through a wire inside the bulb. This wire is called a lament. When electricity
ows through the wire, it gets very hot and glows, producing light. Incandescent bulbs use 90 percent of the electricity to produce heat
and only ten percent to produce light. They are very inecient in their use of energy.
A uorescent bulb produces light by passing electricity through a gas inside the bulb. The electrons in the gas molecules become more
energetic and some escape. They bounce around and crash into the walls of the bulb. The walls of the bulb are painted with a special
material that gives o light when hit by electrons.
Fluorescent lights have ballasts that help move the electricity through the gas inside the bulb. A ballast is an electromagnet that produces
a large voltage between the two ends of the bulb so the electricity will ow between them.
There are two types of ballasts, magnetic and electronic. Magnetic ballasts produce a frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz), which means the light
is ickering on and o 60 times a second. Electronic ballasts produce a frequency of 10,000-20,000 Hz. Fluorescent lights with electronic
ballasts are more energy ecient than those with magnetic ballasts.
To determine which type of ballast a uorescent light contains, spin the Flicker Checker under it. If you see smooth circles, as shown in the
picture below, the uorescent light contains an electronic ballast. If you see a checkered pattern that moves from ring to ring, the light
contains a magnetic ballast.
Flicker Checker Investigation
FLICKER CHECKER SHOWING A MAGNETIC BALLAST
FLICKER CHECKER SHOWING AN ELECTRONIC BALLAST
In uorescent tubes, a very small amount of mercury mixes with
inert gases to conduct the electrical current. This allows the
phosphor coating on the glass tube to emit light.
Fluorescent Tube Lamp
Mercury and
inert gases
Phosphor coating
Base with bi-pin plug
ProcedureUse the Flicker Checker to determine the type of lighting in dierent
areas of your school.
AREA TYPE OF BALLAST
Classroom
Cafeteria
Gym
Hallway
Oce
Restroom
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Comparing Light Bulbs
Reading
Pages 23-26 in your Energy Savers booklet
MaterialsCompact uorescent light bulbs
Procedure1. With your family, examine the pictures and the data of the incandescent (IL) and compact uorescent (CFL) bulbs below.
2. Notice that the amount of light produced by the bulbs is the same, but the wattage, the cost, and the life of the bulbs are dierent.
3. With your family, use the Facts of Light Worksheet on the next page to determine the amount of money you can save by using CFLs
instead of incandescent light bulbs.
ActionReplace incandescent light bulbs in your home with energy ecient lighting.
Home Activity
LESSON 9
Note: Figures are based on prices from a national hardware retailer, 2010
INCANDESCENT BLB HALOGEN COMPACT FLORESCENT (CFL) LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)
Brightness 850 lumens 850 lumens 850 lumens 850 lumens
Life of Bulb 1,000 hours 3,000 hours 10,000 hours 25,000 hours
Energy Used 60 watts = 0.06 kW 43 watts = 0.043 kW 13 watts = 0.013 kW 12 watts = 0.012 kW
Price per Bulb $0.50 $3.00 $3.00 $40.00
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Facts o Light Worksheet
LESSON 9
How Much Can You Save With CFLs?
The graphic on the previous page shows three light bulbs that produce the same amount of light. You might put bulbs like these into abright overhead light. One bulb is an incandescent light bulb, one is a compact uorescent light bulb (CFL), and another is a light emitting
diode (LED). Which one is the better bargain? Lets do the math and compare the three light bulbs using the residential cost of electricit
at $0.12/kWh.
1. Determine how many bulbs you will need to produce 25,000 hours of light by dividing 25,000 by the number of hours each bul
produces light.
2. The price of each bulb has been given to you.
3. Multiply the number of bulbs you will need by the cost of each bulb to determine the cost of bulbs to produce 25,000 hours of light.
4. Multiply the wattage of the bulbs (using the kW number given) by 25,000 hours to determine kilowatt-hours (kWh).
5. Multiply the number of kilowatt-hours by the cost per kilowatt-hour to determine the cost of electricity to produce 25,000 hours of ligh
6. Add the cost of the bulbs plus the cost of electricity to determine the life cycle cost for each bulb.
7. Compare the environmental impact of using each type of bulb. Multiply the total kWh consumption by the average amount of carbo
dioxide produced by a power plant. This will give you the pounds of carbon dioxide produced over the life of each bulb.
COST OF BLB INCANDESCENT BLB HALOGEN COMPACT FLORESCENT (CFL) LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)
Lie o bulb (how long it will light) 1,000 hours 3,000 hours 10,000 hours 25,000 hours
Number of bulbs to get 25,000 hours
Price per bulb $0.50 $3.00 $3.00 $40.00
= Cost o bulbs or 25,000 hours o light
COST OF ELECTRICITY INCANDESCENT BLB HALOGEN COMPACT FLORESCENT (CFL) LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)
Total Hours 25,000 hours 25,000 hours 25,000 hours 25,000 hours
Wattage 60 watts = 0.060 kW 43 watts = 0.043 kW 13 watts = 0.013 kW 12 watts = 0.012 kW
= Total kWh consumption
Price of electricity per kWh $0.12 $0.12 $0.12 $0.12
= Cost o Electricity
LIFE CYCLE COST INCANDESCENT BLB HALOGEN COMPACT FLORESCENT (CFL) LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED)
Cost of bulbs
+ Cost of electricity
= Lie cycle cost
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Total kWh consumption
x Pounds (lbs) of carbon dioxide per kWh 1.6 lb/kWh 1.6 lb/kWh 1.6 lb/kWh 1.6 lb/kWh
= Pounds o carbon dioide produced
All bulbs provide about 850 lumens of light.
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Lighting
1. What types of lights are used in your school? Do any of them have magnetic ballasts?
2. How many total light bulbs are in your home? ______
3. How many compact uorescent light bulbs are in your home?
_____ No CFLs 0 points
_____ 1-2 CFLs 2 points
_____ 3-4 CFLs 4 points
_____ > 4 CFLs 6 points
4. How much money did you and your family calculate you c