SCIENCE 14-03

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, complete and upload

 and1 Chart and  write 300–500 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments.

You want to be part of the Green Revolution and are looking to find ways to reduce your energy use. But first, you must know what your energy use is. Complete the following:

• Complete the table to keep track of your energy use for 3 days this week. Include the following:
  • What types of energy or fuel did you use (including any renewable sources of energy, such as wind, hydroelectric, solar, etc.)?
  • What was the purpose of the energy or fuel use (heating or cooling, recreational, etc.)?
• Save your chart, and present it with 300-500 words containing the following information:
  • Which primary energy source does your electric company use to generate electricity (coal, nuclear, renewables, etc.)?
    • Cite the source for this information.
  • What changes could you make to decrease your energy use?  
  • What changes could you make to increase your energy efficiency?
• Which changes will be most difficult for you to implement? Why do you think so?

WORKSHEET BELOW

• Sample Table for Monitoring Energy Usage

• When doing your 3-day review of your energy usage, remember that you can use 3 days from the past week, rather than tracking the upcoming 3 days. Most people use energy in the form of electricity in their homes and gasoline for transportation, but you might have a wood-burning fireplace or use natural gas or liquid propane in your home as well. Below is a sample table that you can use for this Discussion Board. Replace the sample information with your own information.You may have energy sources not listed in the sample table. If so, be sure to include them. You should delete the instructions prior to uploading your table, or just cut and paste the table in the Discussion Board directly.

• Once you have prepared your chart, you can look for ways to lessen your energy usage. Could you program your thermostat to go down to 63 F while no one is in the house? Do you leave TVs on all night? Does your TV have a timer to turn off automatically? Could you carpool, or do some of your errands on the way home from work so as to not have to make a separate trip? Could you combine your laundry and do it 1 day, saving electricity and water? Do you use incandescent light bulbs that could be exchanged for florescent or LED bulbs?

• Remember, this is just a sample chart to get you thinking. You need to insert your household’s energy usage and customize this table as needed.