Household Energy Use Survey

Program Area

This activity is designed for the Grade 9 Self and Society program and the Grade 10 Geography of Canada program. The activity also integrates record keeping, calculations and statistical analysis from the Mathematics program. Aspects of energy conservation will integrate Science and Technology. This activity should be used after students have been exposed to information on energy resources, energy use, environmental impacts of energy and the issues of energy management. This activity stresses energy management through an analysis of household energy consumption, individual energy use choices, and conservation options to reduce energy consumption. This activity has been designed to fit into the Self and Society's units dealing with Change and Empowered Living, as well as the Natural Resources unit in the Geography of Canada program.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching, learning and evaluation will focus on the student's ability to:

• Conduct field studies, analyze results, draw inferences and predict possible personal or environmental changes;
• Appreciate the relationship between human activity and environmental change;
• Apply personal conservation practices.

Classroom Development

1. Have each student complete a Home Energy Use Worksheet for a one week period. Each student should attempt to have all members of the household participate in recording the information. Students will use the Information Sheet for calculations.
2. After everyone has completed the one week survey, divide the class into groups of 3-4 students. Each group will complete a Group Data Collection: Energy. All group members will record the names and cost data for each category. The group must then calculate the total costs for each energy use category.
3. Each group will record the costs for each category on the Class Data Collection: Energy sheet. Class totals must be calculated for each category.
4. Each student will then convert the data from the Class Data Collection: Energy into percents and degrees using the Energy Data Conversion.
5. Using the information from the Energy Data Conversion sheet and a protractor the students will construct a circle graph to display the energy use data. A blank circle graph is also provided.
6. Based on the completed graph discuss differences and similarities energy use and energy costs in households.
7. Now have students investigate, suggest and discuss conservation options to reduce household energy use.

Timing

The student home survey will require one week to complete. Three class periods (50 min each) should be adequate to complete all calculations, graphing and discussion.

Resources

TVOntario. Your Green Home: Course Manual. Toronto: TVOntario, 1991. (416) 484-2614

Ontario Hydro. Power Saving Ideas To Help You Manage Your Electricity Bill. Toronto: Ontario Hydro, 1991. 1 (800) 263-9000 Local utility companies, Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy, and the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mines and Resources also provide information on energy use and conservation.

Cross-disciplinary Links

The Mathematics program can contribute to the numeracy aspects of this exercise. Family Studies could incorporate this activity into a discussion of household management issues. Science and Technology could contribute to discussion of effective conservation technologies.

Student Material

• Home Energy Use Worksheet
• Home Energy Use Information
• Circle Graph: Class Energy Use
• Group Data Collection: Energy
• Class Data Collection: Energy

Home Energy Use Information

Sample Calculation of the number of kilowatt hours and cost:

1. Appliance: Coffee Maker
2. Average Wattage: 900W
3. Hours of use per week: 7h
4. Kilowatt hours *900 X 7 = 6300 Wh (watt hours) = 6.3 kWh (kilowatt hours)
5. Cost 6.3 X 8¢ = 50.4¢/week