TEST YOUR ENERGY 1.0.
Activity 1: The Effect Of Closing Doors
Activity 2: The Effect Of Fireplace Damper Position
Activity 3: The Effect Of The Fireplace On Home Heating
Activity 4: Comparing Different Home Heating Systems
Activity 5: Comparing Window And Wall Heat Loss
Activity 6: Window Insulation Survey
Activity 1: Hot Water Loss From Leaking Faucets
Activity 2: Washing Dishes In Warm Vs Hot Water
Activity 3: Boiling With Or Without Covering Pan
Activity 4: Taking Baths vs. Showers
Activity 5: Heat Loss From Long Hot Water Pipes
Activity 6: Washing Clothes in Cold vs. Hot Water
LIGHTING AND APPLIANCE ENERGY SAVINGS
Activity 1: How Many Watts For Seeing?
Activity 2: Comparing Energy Use Of Appliance Brands
Activity 3: How Lighting Diminishes With Distance
Activity 4: Light Source Effectiveness
Activity 5: Schoolroom Lighting Survey
Activity 6: Home Light And Appliance Survey
Activity 1: Comparing Gas Mileage
Activity 2: Fuel Per Passenger Mile
Activity 3: Tire Brand/Type Survey
Activity 4: Tire Air Pressure Effects
Activity 5: Car Weight Effects
Activity 6: Planning Your Trips
Commercial and Industrial Energy Conservation
Activity 1: Find Out About Your Local Utility
Activity 2: Demand Charges And How To Reduce Them
Activity 3: Your School’s Bills And Energy Management
Activity 4: Industry/Home Bill Comparison And Billing Units
Activity 5: Code Requirements and Their Energy Costs
Activity 6: Industrial Plant Energy Balance
Answer each question below (True or False) and rate yourself on your knowledge of energy use and abuse in the home and on the road
Circle the letter of the correct answer.
| T | F | 1. The United States uses more energy per person than any other nation in the world |
| T | F | 2. The United States produces 2/3 of the oil we consume. |
| T | F | 3. R-value means the resistance a material has to the flow of heat |
| T | F | 4. On cold winter days, a roaring fire in the fireplace saves energy. |
| T | F | 5. In the afternoon you should keep the draperies closed on all west-facing windows to block out the hot sun |
| T | F | 6. Thermal-lined draperies and outdoor awnings can significantly reduce the energy required for air conditioning. |
| T | F | 7. A home that is dry during the winter must be kept warmer to be comfortable than one with a higher humidity level. |
| T | F | 8. Landscaping is important to home energy conservation. |
| T | F | 9. You can warm up your house faster by turning the thermostat higher than the desired temperature |
| T | F | 10. Weather-stripping doors and caulking windows can save up to 10% of home energy costs. |
| T | F | 11. There is no reason to ventilate the attic in the summer if it is well insulated. |
| T | F | 12. The furnace/air conditioner will run for longer periods of time when the air filter is dirty. |
| T | F | 13. The lower the temperature setting on your water heater, the less energy you will use. |
| T | F | 14. A frosty refrigerator uses less energy because frost acts as an insulator |
| T | F | 15. Food cooks faster in a covered pan. |
| T | F | 16. You don’t have to preheat an oven for broiling or roasting |
| T | F | 17. On especially cold days it is a good idea to get a little extra heat into the kitchen by turning on the oven and opening the oven door. |
| T | F | 18. It is usually less expensive to take a bath than a shower. |
| T | F | 19. It does not matter where the water heater is located in your home as long as it works properly. |
| T | F | 20. The home heating and cooling system is the major residential user of energy. |
| T | F | 21. Refrigerators operate best at 380 to 420 Fahrenheit. |
| T | F | 22. The home freezer operates most efficiently when it is 1/2 to 2/3 full. |
| T | F | 23. Refrigerators are designed to accept frequent and lengthy door openings without increased operating costs. |
| T | F | 24. Small appliances such as toasters, electric skillets, and popcorn poppers generally use less energy for specific jobs than a range |
| T | F | 25. If the flame on your gas range is blue, it is not operating properly. |
| T | F | 26. Fluorescent and incandescent lights of the same wattage produce the same amount of light. |
| T | F | 27. Clean surfaces on reflector pans increase the energy efficiency of a range. |
| T | F | 28. Put frozen foods directly into the oven. There is no reason to defrost them beforehand |
| T | F | 29. By using cold and warm—rather than hot—water in your washing machine, you will save energy and money. |
| T | F | 30. You will save energy by doing several small loads of wash rather than one large one. |
| T | F | 31. Dry as many clothes as possible in each load. |
| T | F | 32. Permanent press garments save energy. |
| T | F | 33. A clean dryer filter saves energy by allowing the dryer to operate at a higher temperature. |
| T | F | 34. You can save up to 1/3 of your dishwasher operating costs by allowing the dishes to air dry rather than go through the dry cycle. |
| T | F | 35. Trash compactors and waste disposers use a great deal of energy and are not economically feasible. |
| T | F | 36. Always remember to use warm water when running the garbage disposal. |
| T | F | 37. An iron consumes little energy. |
| T | F | 38. About 1/3 of all private automobile mileage is for commuting to and from work. |
| T | F | 39. Driving faster uses less energy because operating time is reduced. |
| T | F | 40. Always top off your gas tank when filling up your car. |
| T | F | 41. On cold days, it saves gas to warm up your car for 5 to 10 minutes before driving. |
| T | F | 42. It takes less gas to restart an engine than to idle it for more than one minute. |
| T | F | 43. The less air in the tires, the less gasoline you will burn. |
| T | F | 44. There is no difference between steel-belted radials and other tires when it comes to gas mileage. |
| T | F | 45. The heavier the car, the more gas it uses. |
| T | F | 46. Keeping your car tuned up will increase gas mileage. |
| T | F | 47. An air-starved engine wastes gasoline. |
| T | F | 48. The old 55-mph national speed limit was imposed during the oil embargo to help conserve fuel; higher speeds use significantly more fuel. |
| T | F | 49. The most efficient way mobile home owners can reduce heating/cooling costs is to install underpinning. |
| T | F | 50. Insulating your electric water heater will reduce your utility bill. |
1. TRUE. The U. S. uses more energy per person than any other nation in the world. Although we comprise only about 6 % of the world’s population, we use 36 % of all energy consumed in the world, and that figure continues to rise.
2. FALSE. The U. S. does not produce 2/3 of the oil we consume. We must import about half of the oil we use.
3. TRUE. R-value does mean the resistance a material has to the flow of heat. The higher the R-value, the better the insulating capability of the material.
4. FALSE. A fireplace can cost you energy, as fireplaces are often sources of heat loss. When the heating system is on, a considerable amount of heated air goes up the chimney.
5. TRUE and FALSE. The energy savings gained by keeping the draperies closed on the west-facing windows depends on the time of year. This is true in the summer, but false in the winter. In summer, keep the draperies closed to block out the hot sun. In winter, keep them open and let the sun into the room for extra heat.
6. TRUE. Thermal-lined draperies and outdoor awnings block the hot sun and keep your home cooler.
7. TRUE. A home will seem more comfortable if the humidity level is higher. A humidifying device not only increases comfort but helps save energy as well.
8. TRUE. Landscaping can affect home energy consumption. A lawn reduces reflective heat in summer. Trees that shed their leaves can provide shade in summer and allow warming sunlight to reach the house in winter.
9. FALSE. Your house will not warm up faster by setting the thermostat higher than the desired temperature. Set it at the proper temperature, and it will heat (or cool) your home just as quickly without wasting energy.
10. TRUE. Weather-stripping and caulking can save up to 10 % of home energy costs.
11. FALSE. Insulation can trap hot air in the attic. Ventilating the trapped air will make the house stay cooler, and you’ll use less energy.
12. TRUE. A dirty air filter will cause your furnace/air conditioner to run for longer periods of time. Check the air filter about once a month because a dirty filter restricts the flow of air.
13. TRUE. The lower the temperature on your water heater, the less energy you will use. You can regulate the temperature of your water heater with the thermostat. The higher the setting, the higher your energy bill. Check the setting on your water heater.
14. FALSE. A frosty refrigerator uses more energy than a defrosted refrigerator. Frost makes the refrigerator work harder to remove warm air. Never let frost accumulate to more than 1/4 of an inch.
15. TRUE. Food cooks faster in a covered pan. The kitchen will stay cooler as well. Turn the heat off a few minutes before the food is completely cooked. Retained heat will complete the cooking.
16. TRUE. You do not have to preheat an oven for broiling or roasting. In addition, any food that cooks for more than one hour does not require a preheated oven.
17. FALSE. Using your oven is a very costly way to heat your kitchen.
18. FALSE. It takes twice as much hot water for a deep bath than for the average shower. This can increase your energy bill because heating water accounts for as much as 20 % of home energy expenses.
19. FALSE. Place the water heater as close as possible to areas where hot water is needed. The longer the pipes, the greater the heat loss. If hot water pipes are exposed, it is a good idea to insulate them. Insulated pipes keep the water warmer.
20. TRUE. Heating and cooling systems are the major residential users of energy, home heating and cooling can represent as much as 70 % of your home energy bill.
21. TRUE. Refrigerators operate best at 38 to 42 Fahrenheit, while freezers operate best at 00 Fahrenheit. Lower settings are unnecessary and waste energy.
22. FALSE. The home freezer is most efficient when filled to capacity.
23. FALSE. It costs money and energy every time a refrigerator door is opened.
24. TRUE. Small appliances often use less energy than a range. They are designed to do specific jobs, making cooking easier and usually quicker.
25. FALSE. If the flame on your gas range is blue, it is operating correctly. lf the flame has traces of yellow, the burners have become clogged and should be cleaned.
26. FALSE. Fluorescent and incandescent bulbs of the same wattage do not produce the same amount of light. Fluorescent lights produce 3-1/2 times more light than incandescent bulbs of the same wattage.
27. TRUE. Clean, reflective surfaces increase efficiency. Also, if your oven is self-cleaning, wait until after you have used the oven and less energy will be required for the cleaning process.
28. FALSE. Putting frozen food directly into the oven means the food will require more cooking time. Plan ahead and thaw frozen food in your refrigerator before cooking it.
29. TRUE. Much of the energy used in doing your family wash goes to heat the water. Using cold water as often as possible should decrease your energy bill.
30. FALSE. A large-capacity washer saves energy by handling in one load what a small washer must do in two loads.
31. FALSE. Do not dry as many clothes as possible in each load. You should sort the clothes by thickness before you place them in the dryer. It takes a longer cycle for slow-drying items.
32. TRUE. Be sure to take permanent press garments out of the dryer as soon as the cycle is complete. You probably will not have to spend energy ironing them.
33. FALSE. A clean filter saves energy and money by allowing a high rate of flow of clean hot air and reducing drying time.
34. TRUE. Turning off the dishwasher after the rinse cycle is complete or using the overnight dry setting can save you 1/3 of dishwasher operating costs.
35. FALSE. Trash compactors and waste disposers consume relatively small amounts of energy.
36. FALSE. Use cold water when running the garbage disposal. It is designed to work with cold water, and since hot water is a prime user (20 %) of residential energy, this will save energy and money.
37. FALSE. A hand iron consumes as much energy as ten 100-watt light bulbs Permanent press items save ironing time. Iron large batches of clothing at one time to avoid wasting energy reheating the iron.
38. TRUE. Join a carpool.
39. FALSE The faster you drive, the more gasoline you burn.
40. FALSE. When filling your car, remove the nozzle as soon as it cuts off and avoid possible spillage.
41. FALSE. The best way to warm up a car is to drive slowly until the engine reaches proper operating temperature.
42. TRUE. Safety and theft considerations aside, it takes less fuel to restart than to let a car idle for a minute or more.
43. FALSE. Check air pressure in your tires regularly. Under-inflated tires increase gas consumption.
44. FALSE. Properly inflated steel-belted radials give better mileage and last longer.
45. TRUE. The lighter the car, the less gas it uses. Always remove unnecessary weight from the car.
46. TRUE. A car that is properly tuned will get better mileage. The more smoothly your engine runs, the less energy it will require to operate.
47. TRUE. An air-starved engine will waste gasoline Keep the air filter clean and your mileage should increase.
48. TRUE. The 55-mph national speed limit was imposed to conserve gasoline.
49. TRUE. Underpinning, or a "skirt," is the most accessible and practical method of reducing heat flow for mobile homes.
50. TRUE. An investment of about $15 to insulate your electric water heater probably will pay you back in about 12 months.
50 to 45 correct answers: High Energy I.Q.
44 to 40 correct answers: Above-average Energy I.Q.
39 to 35 correct answers: Average, you need to learn more about energy conservation.
Fewer than 35 correct answers: Take the test again and study the answers, you’re probably throwing money away needlessly.
Activity 1: The Effect Of Closing Doors
The purpose of this activity is to determine whether or not energy can be conserved by closing doors to unoccupied rooms.
You will need a thermometer and the chart below for recording data. Record data for several rooms, such as bedrooms, bathrooms, etc.
Measure the temperature at a spot in the middle of each room.
Room Temperature Chart
| Room | Temperature With Door Open | Temperature With Door Closed |
Choose
Activity 2: The Effect Of Fireplace Damper Position
The purpose of this activity is to determine whether or not energy is conserved by keeping a fireplace damper closed. You will need access to a fireplace damper, a watch, and the chart below for recording data.
Start by opening the damper in your fireplace. Then record the times when the heating system starts and stops. Do this for at least one hour. Close the damper and wait one hour. This gives the house temperature time to stabilize. Record the information again.
Does the heating system run more with the damper closed or open? Remember not to (1) change the thermostat while the experiment is in progress, or (2) choose a time to conduct the experiment when sunshine or weather changes will invalidate your data.
Damper Chart
|
DAMPER OPEN |
DAMPER CLOSED |
||
|
Starting Time |
Stopping Time |
Starting Time |
Stopping Time |
| TOTAL ON TIME (min) = | TOTAL ON TIME (min) = | ||
Activity 3: The Effect Of The Fireplace On Home Heating
The purpose of this activity is to determine whether or not energy can be conserved by building a fire in the fireplace while the heating system is operating. You will need access to an open fireplace, a watch, and the chart below for recording data.
Leave the thermostat for the home’s heating system set on a constant temperature during the experiment. With no fire in the fireplace, record the time on your watch each time the heating system turns on and off. Then, using all safety precautions, build a fire in the fireplace. CAUTION: Have a parent or someone who is experienced assist you.
Record the data. Does the heating system run more with or without the fire?
Fireplace Chart
|
DAMPER OPEN |
DAMPER CLOSED |
||
|
Time Heating System Starts |
Time System Stops |
Time Heating System Starts |
Time System Stops |
| No.
of Times Heating System Started:_______
Total Minutes System Ran:_____________ |
No
of Times Heating System Started:______
Total Minutes System Ran:__________ |
||
Activity 4: Comparing Different Home Heating Systems
The purpose of this activity is to determine how much energy is used by home heating systems. You will need the chart below and transportation to stores or outlets carrying heating systems such as furnaces and heat pumps.
Go on a "shopping spree" to several different stores or outlets that carry heating systems.
Record the data on the chart below, or organize a chart that will better fit the data you accumulate. (Note: If transportation is not available, try to collect the information by telephone.)
Heating System Chart
| Brand | Initial cost |
Capacity (btu/hr) |
Estimated annual fuel consumption |
How does the efficiency of one system compare to another? What are some noteworthy advantages or disadvantages of each for consumers?
Activity 5: Comparing Window And Wall Heat Loss
The purpose of this activity is to determine how glass compares to wall materials in conserving energy. You will need a thermometer. the chart below for recording data, and access to windows on the north, south, east, and west sides of a home.
Start by measuring the temperature of the inside glass (put the thermometer directly on the glass) of 4 windows, one each on the north, south, east, and west sides of the house. Then measure the temperature of a spot on the north, south, east, and west walls which is at least 3 feet away in all directions from a door or window. Measure the temperature at each of the corresponding spots on the OUTSIDE walls and windows. Record all data.
Window vs. Wall Chart
| Inside Window | Temp (oF) | Outside Window | Temp (oF) |
| North | _____________ | North | _____________ |
| South | _____________ | South | _____________ |
| East | _____________ | East | _____________ |
| West | _____________ | West | _____________ |
|
Inside Wall |
Temp (oF) | Outside Wall | Temp (oF) |
| North | _____________ | North | _____________ |
| South | _____________ | South | _____________ |
| East | _____________ | East | _____________ |
| West | _____________ | West | _____________ |
Which material (wall or window) has the greatest variation in temperature from inside to outside? Does compass direction have any effect? If you were designing an energy-efficient home, how would you apply this data?
Activity 6: Window Insulation Survey
The purpose of this activity is to determine the energy-conserving properties of different window coverings. Pretend you own your home and are just moving in. You are in the process of choosing coverings for all your windows Of course you want them to look good, but you are also concerned with whether or not they will affect energy consumption.
You will need the chart below to record data and transportation to stores or outlets that sell window coverings. (You may need to design another chart that better fits the data you accumulate.)
Go on a "shopping spree" to several different stores. Tell the shop attendants about your assignment and ask if they have information on heat loss for fabrics or other window coverings that they sell. (Note: If transportation is not available, try to collect the information by telephone)
Window Covering Chart
| Kind | Cost | Heat loss (btu/hr) | Other Info |
Experience has shown that the most cost-effective and sensible approach to today’s energy situation is energy conservation. Each of us must realize that we cannot continue consuming energy at the present rate. We must look for ways to decrease our use of energy. Perhaps more than any other area of energy conservation, our daily routine habits (e g., the length of time we spend in the shower) affect energy consumption in the amount of hot water we use.
In these activities, you will explore ways to decrease hot water consumption by changing habits and being informed consumers.
Activity 1: Hot Water Loss From Leaking Faucets
The purpose of this activity is to determine how much water is wasted by leaking faucets. You will need a faucet over a sink, a measuring cup, a watch with a second hand, and the chart below.
First, turn the faucet on just enough to get one drop every second. Place the measuring cup under the faucet. Record the time. Then record the time when the cup is full. Repeat the procedure for 2 drops per second and 3 drops per second. Calculate how much water would be wasted in a day, a month, and a year for each drop situation.
Water Loss Chart
|
Drops |
Start time |
End time |
Total time |
Water wasted daily (cups) |
Water wasted daily* (gal) |
Water wasted monthly (gal) |
Water wasted yearly (gal) |
|
| 1 | ||||||||
| 2 | ||||||||
| 3 | ||||||||
*Conversion Factor: 1 gallon = 16 cups
Activity 2: Washing Dishes In Warm Vs Hot Water
The purpose of this activity is to determine whether warm water cleans dishes as well as hot water. The assumption behind this experiment is that, if we cleaned more household items with warm water rather than hot water, we could save energy.
You will need several soiled dishes or pots, dishwashing detergent, and hot and cold water. Choose dishes soiled with different kinds of food. For example, choose two dishes with bacon grease, two dishes with sugary juices, two dishes with melted cheese, or pairs of dishes with other foods.
Clean one dish of each pair in hot water and one in warm water. Keep everything the same except for the temperature of the water, that is, use the same amount of detergent and scrub for the same amount of time. Dishes must be washed one at a time to avoid unequal soaking time. Record which dish of each pair was cleaned satisfactorily and which dish was not.
What are your conclusions about cleaning with warm water? Is warm water acceptable for some, all, or no situations? What if you were cleaning bathtubs, tile, or basins instead of dishes?
Dish Cleaning Chart
Mark an X in the appropriate columns
| Dishes Soiled With: |
Hot Water |
Warm Water |
Comments | ||
| Clean | Not Clean | Clean | Not Clean | ||
Activity 3: Boiling With Or Without Covering Pan
The purpose of this activity is to determine how much heating time can be saved boiling water with a lid on the pan. The assumption is that if we can find ways to reduce the time a stove stays on during cooking, we can conserve energy.
You will need a stove, a pot with a see-through lid, a measuring cup, a watch with a second hand, and the chart below. Since you will be boiling water and need to watch the kettle, you may want to ask a friend or family member to stand by while you observe the boiling.
First, put one cup of water in the pot. Turn the stove on high and record the time on your watch. Then record the time when the water starts boiling rapidly. Let the pot and stove cool to room temperature. Repeat this procedure with the lid on the pot.
Is boiling time more, less, or the same with and without a lid? What can you conclude about people who are in the habit of cooking with lids?
Water Boiling Chart
| Pot | Time Stove Turned On | Time Rapid Boiling Begins | Total Time (Min) |
| With Lid | |||
| Without Lid |
Activity 4: Taking Baths vs. Showers
The purpose of this activity is to compare the amount of water used taking a bath with that used taking a shower. You will need adhesive tape, an empty 2-liter plastic container, a tub/shower, and the chart below. Start by calibrating the tub. To do this, pour exactly 20 liters of water into the tub. Mark the water level with a piece of good quality adhesive tape. Pour in 20 more liters and mark the 40-liter water level with tape. Repeat until the tub is nearly full.
Once the tub is calibrated, drain the water in the tub to a comfortable depth. Record the depth of the water. On the next day, take a shower with the tub plugged. Take a adequate amount of time to clean your body thoroughly. Record the depth of the water. If possible, repeat the shower procedure for several days, or get other family members to collect data for you.
What can you conclude about the amount of water you and your family use in bathing/showering?
Bath/Shower Chart
| Date | Bath (liters) | Shower (liters) |
Activity 5: Heat Loss From Long Hot Water Pipes
The purpose of this activity is to show that heat is lost when water travels from the home’s water heater through pipes to a faucet or other outlet. The assumption behind this activity is that more energy is lost when the pipe length between the water heater and the faucets is longer.
You will need a home with several faucets, a metal stem thermometer, a watch, and the chart below. First, locate your home’s water heater. Draw a sketch of your house plan and locate the heater and all faucets on the plan. Go to the faucets one at a time, turning on the hot water and waiting for it to become its hottest (note the time you turn on the faucet and the time the water reached its hottest temperature). When the water is the hottest it can be, measure the temperature of the water and record your data on the chart.
Hot Water Pipe Chart
Water heater temperature is set on _______________oF
| Faucet locations | Warmest water temperature | Time to reach warmest temperature (min) |
Activity 6: Washing Clothes in Cold vs. Hot Water
The purpose of this activity is to compare clothes cleaned in hot and cold water. The assumption is that if more clothes can be cleaned in cold water, then energy used to heat washing water can be conserved.
You will need several clean white rags, a permanent marker or laundry pen, access to a washer, and the chart below. First, stain two rags each with dirt, grease, fruit juice, tomato sauce, or other common laundry stains. Do not put more than one kind of stain on one rag. Mark with a permanent marker what kind of stain you put on each rag. Divide the rags into two loads (one rag of each stain in each load), then wash one load in cold water and one load in hot water. Use the same amount and kind of detergent for both loads. Compare which stains are cleaned in each load.
What can you conclude about how well particular stains come out in hot or cold water? Is hot water necessary for cleaning all, some, or none of the stains?
Stain Removal Chart
Record each type of stain. Mark an X to indicate whether it was cleaned or not cleaned.
|
Hot Water |
Cold Water |
|||
| Stain | Cleaned | Not Cleaned | Cleaned | Not Cleaned |
LIGHTING AND APPLIANCE ENERGY SAVINGS
Experience has shown the most cost-effective and sensible approach to today’s energy situation is energy conservation. Each of us must realize that we cannot continue consuming energy at the present rate. We must look for ways to decrease our use of energy.
It is easy to use more light than you need. More than 10 % of the electricity we use in our homes goes into lighting.
The purpose of these activities is to discover ways to decrease the consumption of energy when lighting and using appliances in our homes.
Activity 1: How Many Watts For Seeing?
The purpose of this activity is to discover how much lighting wattage is necessary for activities such as sewing, reading, and other daily routines. The assumption behind this experiment is that if we used light bulbs with appropriate wattage, we could save the energy wasted on unnecessary lighting.
You will need a lamp next to a comfortable chair in a dark room, several bulbs with different wattages (for example, 25 watts, 40 watts, 60 watts, 75 watts, 100 watts); a book to read, something to write with, or a sewing project; a watch; and the chart below for recording data.
Start by putting the largest wattage bulb in the lamp. CAUTION: Unplug the lamp each time you change the bulb, and allow the bulb to cool before you touch it. Sit in the chair and spend 5 minutes working on your project. Record on the chart how well you were able to work on it. For example, did you experience glare? Did it seem difficult to work? Was it too dark? If you are sewing or writing, you may choose to mark the work done under different wattages so that you can compare the work quality later. Then, change the bulb (in descending order of wattage) and work 5 minutes under each bulb (allow your eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before beginning each step). Record your data each time.
NOTE: The room should be dark other than the light from your lamp. Do not change the lamp position. Which wattage was best for your project? What was the minimum wattage necessary to do satisfactory work? Can you draw conclusions about how much light you waste or do not waste in your daily routine? What other factors affected the quality of your work?
Project Lighting Chart
| Wattage | Comments | Rate your work quality (1 = worst, 5 = best) |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | ||
| 1 2 3 4 5 | ||
| 1 2 3 4 5 | ||
| 1 2 3 4 5 | ||
| 1 2 3 4 5 | ||
| 1 2 3 4 5 |
Activity 2: Comparing Energy Use Of Appliance Brands
The purpose of this activity is to determine which appliances on the market consume more energy than others. You will need the chart below and transportation to stores or outlets carrying kitchen appliances Choose four or more appliances (e.g., toaster, microwave, mixer, blender) for your investigation.
Go on a "shopping spree" to several different stores. Tell the shop attendants about your assignment and ask if they have information on the energy efficiency of appliances they sell. Record the data you find. You may decide to design a better chart for organizing your data.
Appliance Chart
| Appliance | Brand | Cost | Watts* | Volts | Amps* |
*W = V x A; determine watts by multiplying volts times amps.
What appliance(s) would you choose to purchase? Why? What other factors besides energy efficiency affected your decision?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Activity 3: How Lighting Diminishes With Distance
The purpose of this activity is to determine to what degree the distance a light is away from a work site affects our ability to do satisfactory work. Although sharp differences in lighting intensity should be avoided, the use of "task lighting" (i.e., light focused on the work at hand rather than uniformly bright room lighting) can reduce energy consumption.
You will need a stable standing lamp with a 60-watt bulb, a 20-foot extension cord, a comfortable chair, a watch, a yardstick, a project to do (such as a book to read, something to write, or a sewing project), and the chart below for recording data.
Start by turning all other lights in the area off. Put the lamp next to your chair. Sit and work on your project for 5 minutes. Record on the chart how well you were able to work on your project. For example, if it seemed difficult to work, was it too dark? (If you are sewing or writing, you may choose to mark the work done during each 5 minutes of work so that you can compare the work quality later.) Then move the lamp 5 feet away from you (allow your eyes to adjust to the change in lighting before beginning each step). Repeat the experiment. Do this for 10, 15, and 20 feet away. Work for 5 minutes and record your data each time.
At which distance could you see your work the best? What was the maximum distance at which you could do satisfactory work? What other factors affected the quality of your work?
Distance Lighting Chart
| Lamp distance (feet) | Comments | Rate your work quality (1 = worst, 5 = best) |
| 0 | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 5 | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 10 | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 15 | 1 2 3 4 5 | |
| 20 | 1 2 3 4 5 |
How can one conserve energy in terms of lighting?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Can quality work be done with only a few lights on?
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Activity 4: Light Source Effectiveness
The purpose is to research the efficiency of different kinds of light. You will need the chart below and transportation to several different lighting outlets. Go on a "shopping spree." Tell the shop attendants about your assignment and ask if they have information on the efficiency of different kinds of lights sold at their stores. You will be looking specifically for lumens per watt. Record the data you find. Find data for the kinds of light listed below as well as other kinds you may discover (Note: If transportation is not available, try to collect the information by telephone)
Kinds Of Lighting Chart
| Kind of Light | Lumens/Watt | Comments |
| Incandescent | ||
| Fluorescent | ||
| Mercury Vapor | ||
| Sodium Vapor | ||
What kind of lighting would you choose to install if you were building your own home, installing streetlights, building an office building, or filming a movie?
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Which kind of lighting is most energy-efficient, and why?
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Activity 5: Schoolroom Lighting Survey
The purpose of this activity is to determine if your school is effectively conserving energy in lighting. You will need the chart below. Contact your school custodian and ask to set up an appointment with him/her to help you do an inventory of the lighting in your school. Then choose a classroom or two, a parking lot, the office, and the cafeteria or auditorium in which to collect data. It is not necessary to inventory EVERY room in your school. Then go with the custodian to each room or area you have chosen and inventory the lighting using the chart below. Be sure to determine the room size of each room used for data. Also, try to determine if energy-efficient bulbs are used and whether some of the lights in a room can be turned off while others are left on.
School Lighting Chart
|
Room |
Number of Bulbs |
Kind of Bulbs |
Watts |
Number of light |
In each room ask the following questions: How is lighting controlled? For example, can you turn only half the lights on at one time, or can the lights nearest the window be turned off? What recommendations can you make to increase lighting efficiency at your school?
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Activity 6: Home Light And Appliance Survey
The purpose of this activity is to determine if your home lighting and appliances are conserving energy. Inventory the wattages of all easily accessible lights and appliances. Most appliances have the wattage noted on a sticker or etching. Do not try to move large appliances. If no wattage is given on an appliance, see if its voltage and amperage are given. In most cases, you can compute the wattage by multiplying the number of volts (e.g., 120) by the number of amps. Record all the data.
CAUTION: Do not work around electricity with wet shoes or hands You do not need to include all the lighting and appliances in order to determine whether energy is conserved in your home.
Home Appliance And Lighting Chart
| Appliance | Wattage | Estimated hours used/year |
Did you find lights that were turned on but not being used? Could a light bulb of smaller wattage be used in any location? Did you find any unattended appliances turned on (e.g., radios, televisions, and fans)? Are dishwashers, clothes washers, and dryers used only when there are full loads to wash or dry? Do you think your family could save energy and money by improving their conservation of energy?
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Experience has shown that the most cost-effective and sensible approach to today’s energy situation is energy conservation. Each of us must realize that we cannot continue consuming energy at the present rate. We must look for ways to decrease our use of energy.
There are more than 100 million registered automobiles in the United States. A typical car, with an average fuel economy of about 15 miles per gallon, travels about 10,000 miles each year and uses over 650 gallons of gasoline. This means that private automobiles consume some 70 billion gallons of gasoline each year. The importance of gasoline conservation by individual drivers cannot be overemphasized.
The purpose of these activities is to discover some important ways to decrease energy consumption in transportation.
Activity 1: Comparing Gas Mileage
The purpose of this activity is to compare the fuel efficiencies of automobiles on the market today. You will need transportation to car sale lots and the chart below. Choose 3 types of cars. For example, examine large luxury cars, medium size family station wagons, and small sports cars. Some other types might be mini-vans, full-size trucks, or small-size trucks. Visit several car sale lots and collect information on several makes and models within your 3 categories. Record all data. Create a better chart for organizing your data if necessary (Note: If transportation is not available, try to collect the information by telephone).
Automobile Chart
| Lot | Make | Model | Gas mileage | Cost | Fuel cost per year |