Save Electricity, Save Money Handbook

A joint project of Live & Learn Environmental Education, SOPAC and the Government of the Republic of Nauru. Funding provided by the European Commission

A guide to saving electricity at home, school and at work

Save electricity Save money

This guidebook was prepared by Live & Learn Environmental Education

as part of the Nauru Energy Conservation Project

October 2008

Live & Learn Environmental Education: Fres Wota Four

(opposite Fres Wota School), Port Vila, Vanuatu

M: (+678) 27448 E: [email protected] www.livelearn.orgg

Written by: Diana Hinge and Sophie Scott, Vanuatu

Design and layout by: Karen Young

Illustrations by: Karen Young

Photography by: Kaori Yoshinaga

© Copyright: Live & Learn Environmental Education 2008

Permission is granted to duplicate materials for non-commercial, non-profit educational purposes

only provided acknowledgment is given. All other rights reserved.

Introduction 2

Section 1: 3

Energy–whatisit? 3

Activity1: Renewableandnon-renewableenergy 5

Activity2: Wheredoweuseenergy? 6

Section 2: 7

WhatcanIdotosaveenergy? 7

Activity3: Howtocheckthesealonyourrefrigerator 10

Activity4: Startsavingenergynow 11

Activity5: Myenergysavingactionplan 12

Activity6: Myenergysavingposter 13

Activity7: Lookatyourelectricitybill 14

Activity8: Energysavingquiz 15

Wheretofindmoreinformation 16

Contents

Introduction

Thishandbookisdesignedforteachers,educators,nongovernmentorganisationsandGovernmentbodiesinNauru.Itoutlinestheissueofenergyconservationandprovidespracticalactivitiestoassistpeoplereduceenergyuseathome,workandatschool.Electricitybillsareincreasingforhouseholds,schoolsandbusinessesinNaurusosavingenergyisasmartwaytosavemoney.

ThishandbookispartofanenergyconservationprogramsupportedbytheEuropeanCommissionandisajointprojectofLiveandLearnEnvironmentalEducationandSOPAC.

LiveandLearnEnvironmentalEducationisanongovernmentorganisationwithaimstopromotegreaterunderstandingofenvironmentalandhumansustainabilitythrougheducationandcommunication.Whilstmaintaininganon-politicalagendaweworkwithaidorganisations,governmentsandnon-governmentorganisationsfromallovertheworldsharingknowledgeforasustainableplanetandlinkingknowledgetochange.Wehaveofficesin8countriesacrosstheAsiaPacificregionandhave16yearsexperienceinenvironmentaleducationprograms.

How to use the handbookThehandbookisdividedinto2sections.Section 1 covers“Whatisenergy?”andSection 2outlines“Whatwecandotosaveenergy”.Throughoutthehandbookthereare8practicalactivities.

2

What is energy?Energycanbedefinedastheabilityorthecapacitytodowork.Youcan’tseeenergybutwealluseittomakethingswork–likelights,airconditionersetc…Energyisveryimportantintoday’sworld.Weuseenergytogeneratetheelectricityweneedforourschools,homes,offices,factories,supermarketsandbusinesses.Electricityalso“powers”ourairconditioners,TVs,computers,cellphones,washingmachines.Itwarmsandcoolsourhomes,cooksourfood,playsourmusic,andgivesusotherentertainmentsuchasmovies,televisionandcomputergames.

Where does energy come from?Therearetwoformsofenergy:renewable energyandnon-renewableenergy.

Non-renewableenergysourcesaresourcesofenergythatcannotbemadeagaininashorttime.Theytakemillionsofyearstobeformed.Mostofourenergycomesfromnon-renewablesourceswhichincludefossilfuelslikeoil(petroleum),naturalgas,coalandothersourcesofenergylikeuranium(nuclearenergy).Fossilfuelsareformedfromtheburiedremainsofplantsandanimalsthatlivedmanyyearsago.

Renewableenergysourcescanberenewedinashortperiodoftime.Renewableenergysourcescanneverbeexhausted.Wecangetrenewableenergyfromwater(hydropower),fromthesun(solarenergy),fromthewind(windenergy),fromhotwaterspringsandmagma(geothermal)andevenfromanimalmanureandcrops(biomass).

Why save energy?Therearemanyreasonswhyweshouldsaveenergy,thetwomostrelevantonesforNaurubeingsavingmoneyandprotectingtheenvironment.

OilpriceshaverisenverydrasticallyinthatlasttenyearsandforPacificislandcountries,thishasaverybigimpactontheeconomyandpeoplesdailylives.Theincreaseinoilpricesmeansthatelectricityisbecomingmoreexpensive.Savingenergyinhomes,schools,officesandotherpublicbuildingswillhelptosavealotofmoneythatcouldbebetterusedelsewhere.

Savingmoneyisn’ttheonlyreasonwhyit’sgoodtosaveenergy.Italsomeansthatlesspollutionwillgoupintoourair.Thisisbecausewhenweburndieselattheelectricityplanttomakeelectricityforourhome,workandschool,

Section 1 Energy - what is it?

This section covers:

What is energy1.

Where does energy come from?2.

Why save Energy?3.

Where does Nauru’s energy come from?4.

3

itcreatespollutinggases(greenhousegases).Aroundtheworld,aspeopleusemoreandmoreelectricity,moreandmoregasesareputupintotheair.Asmoregasesareintheair,thismakestheblanketofgasesthatsurroundourearththickerandthicker,whichresultsinglobalwarmingandclimatechange.

ItisexpectedthattheEarth’ssurfacetemperaturewillrisebetween1.1and2.9ºCbytheendofthe21stcentury.Thismeansthattheicecapswillstarttomeltandsealevelswillrise.ItispredictedthatalongthecoastlinesofPacificislandcountries,suchasNauru,theaveragesealevelrisewillbebetween25–58cmbymid21st

century.ThisisanissueforlowlyingPacificIslandatollsasanincreasesealevelwillmeanthattheresidentswillhavetomoveinland,soilsalinitywillincreaseandthecropsthatpeopledependonwillnolongerbeabletogrow,relocationtootherislandsandthemanysocialproblemsthatmayarise.

Where does Nauru’s energy come from?Nauruisanislandnationthatreliesheavilyonimportedfuel,suchasdiesel.AllthefuelthatthecountryusescomesprimarilyfromAustralia.

SPACE

ATMOSPHERE

Global warming; occurs when heat is re –radiated back into earth from the thickened atmosphere.

Most sunlight is absorbed by the surface and warms it

HEAT

The surface radiates heat

SUN

SURFACE

4

Activity 1: Renewable and non-renewable energy

Objective:Todistinguishbetweenrenewableandnonrenewableenergysourcesandfindoutwheretheirenergycomesfrom.

Time: 20-30minutes

Materials: Butcherspaper,markers

What to do:1.Dividetheparticipantsintogroupsoffour.

2.Givetheparticipantsasheetofbutcherspaperandaskthemtodrawtwodifferenttablesonthepaper.Eachtableshouldhavetwocolumns.

3.Asktheparticipantstowrite“Renewable Energy”inthefirstcolumnofthefirsttable,“where it comes from”inthesecondcolumn.Thenaskthemtowrite“Non – Renewable Energy”inthefirstcolumnofthesecondtableand“Where it comes from”inthesecondcolumnofthesecondtable.

4.Undereachheadingasktheparticipantstolistdownthedifferentsourcesofenergythatfitundereachcategoryaswellaswheretheenergycomesfrom!

For example:

Renewable Energy Where it comes from

Solar Energy Sun

Non – Renewable Energy Where it comes from

Oil Fossil fuels in underground wells

5. Asktheparticipantstopresenttheirworkintheirdifferentgroupsandthentieuptheactivitybyre-emphasisingthedifferencebetweenrenewableandnonrenewableenergy.

5

Activity 2: Where do we use energy?

Objective:Toidentifywhereenergyisusedathome,schoolandwork.

Time:15-20minutes

Materials:butcherspaper,markers

What to do:1.Givetheparticipantsasheetofbutcherspaperandaskthemtodrawonetablewithtwocolumnsas

shownbelow.Askthemtolistallofthewaysinwhichtheyuseenergy–electricityandgasathome,workandschool.

Where I use energy at home Where I use energy at school/work

E.g. Lights

Figure 1: Average household electricity use in the Pacific

Lighting8%

Refrigerator17%

Kitchen appliances26%

TV/Stereo and other appliances9%

Washing machine12%

Air conditionner28%

(SOPAC, 2008)

6

Section 2 What can I do to save energy?

This section outlines some top tips and activities to save electricity at home, school and work.

1. LightsLightingmakesupasubstantialportionofanyelectricitybill.Weallneedtouselightstoseeatnighttimeandwhenthere’slittlenaturalsunlight,butwecanbesmartabouthowweusethem.Sometimeswelightupthewholeroom,butweonlyneedasmalllightforreading.

Herearesometipstohelpyousaveenergy:

Switchoffalllightswhennotinuse,especially•duringthedaytime

Useenergysavinglightbulbs.Usingnew•energysavinglightbulbscancuttherunningcostsoflightingby75%.

Makethemostofnaturallighte.g.situatework•desksnearnaturallight.

Paintroomsinlightcolours,asthishelps•reflectionofavailablelight

Top tip Makeup“Switchoff”stickersandputthemaroundyourschoolorworkplacenexttothelightswitchestoremindyouandyourfriendstoswitchofflightswhenyouleavetheroom.

s Energy saving light bulb

7

2. CoolingMostindoorplacesinNauruareairconditioned24hoursaday.It’snicetobecool,butairconditionersuselotsofenergyandcontributealottoourelectricitybills.

Herearesomewaystosavemoneyonairconditioning:

Usefansinsteadofairconditioning9

Makesureyou’reonlycoolingroomswhichyou’rein,nottheentirehouse.9

Changetheairconditionerthermostat.Anidealtemperatureforusis25°Cto27°C.Bymaking9sureyou’renotovercoolingyourplace,youwillbesavingenergyandmoney.

Plantingtreesaroundyourhomeandschoolwillhelpshadeandcoolbuildings,soyouwon’t9needtheairconditioneronsomuch.

3. CookingInNauru,somepeopleuseelectricitytocookandothersusegas.

Herearesometoptipstosaveenergywhencooking:

Usinggastocookisagoodwaytoreduceyour9electricitybillandgasismoreefficienttocookwith.

Limittimesovendoorisopened,asthiscancauseup9to15%lossofhotaireachtimethedoorisopened.

Usethecorrectsizesaucepantofitthestoveplate.9

8

4. Electrical appliancesAswebuymoreandmoreTVs,DVDplayersandotherelectricalgoods,ourelectricitybillswillstarttoincrease.Therearemanyeasywaystosaveenergyandmoney:

Useelectricalappliancesonlywhenitisverynecessary9

Switchappliancesoffatthepowerpointwhenyou’renotusingthem.9

ReduceTVviewinghoursathome,encouragechildrentoplayoutsideinstead.9

5. RefrigeratorRefrigeratorsareagreatwaytokeepfoodforlongerandperfectforicecolddrinks,buttheydousealotofelectricity,addingtobillcosts.Herearesometoptipstosaveenergy:

Locaterefrigeratorsandfreezersincoolspots,9outofthesun.

Ensurethedoorsealsarecleanandthedoor9sealsproperly.

Tosaveenergy,setthefridgeat4ºC-5ºCand9thefreezerat-15ºCto-18ºC

9

Activity 3How to check the seal on your refrigerator

Objective:Toteachtheparticipantsasimplewayofcheckingthesealonarefrigerator.

Time:5-10minutes

Materials: pieceofpaper

What to do:Placeapieceofpaperinbetweenthefridgedoor,ifitslipsouteasily,yourfridgemaybeleaking1.energyandcostingyoumoney.

Cleanthesealandmakesureit’ssecure2.

Ifyouneedtoreplacetheseal,youcangobacktowhereyouboughtyourfridgeandaskfora3.replacementseal.

10

Activity 4: Start saving energy now (Drawing activity)

Objective:Toidentifytheplacesintheparticipants’homeswhereenergyisusedandtodecidetheplacesintheirhomeswhereenergycanbesavedandhowtheywilldothis.

Time: 20-30minutes

Materials:piecesofpaper,pencils,pens

What to do:Asktheparticipantstodrawapictureoftheirhouseasiftheywerelookingfromabovelikeabird.1.

Askthentomarkwithacrosstheplaceswheretheirhouseholdusesenergy.2.

Thenaskthemtocircletheplaceswheretheycansaveenergy.3.

Besidesthedrawingofthehouse,askthemtolistdownthethingstheycandotosaveenergyinthe4.placesthathavebeenmarkedwithacross.

My house

11

Activity 5: My energy saving action plan

Objective:Tohelptheparticipantsidentifytheplacesintheirhomeswhereenergyisused,andtodecidetheplacesintheirhomeswhereenergycanbesavedandhowtheywilldothis.

Time:20-30minutes

Materials: piecesofpaper,pencils,pens

What to do: Enterinanumber(#)orcircleanswerinthegreycolumn.1.

Lighting HowmanylightsdoIhaveinthehouse? #_____

Howmanylightsareonwhentheydon’tneedtobe?E.g.duringthedaytimeorallnight

#_____

HowmanylightscouldIchangetoenergysavingones? #_____

Cooling Howmanyhoursdoestheairconditionerruneachday? #_____

ArethereairconditionerscoolingroomsI’mnotusing?(Circleyouranswer)

Yes/No

CanIuseafaninsteadoftheairconditioner?(Circleyouranswer) Yes/No

Cooking CanIchangemycookingtogasratherthanelectric?(Circleyouranswer) Yes/No

Electronicappliances

HowmanyelectricalappliancesdoIhaveathome? #_____

Howmanyareonalldayandnotswitchedoffatthepowerpoint? #_____

HowmanycanIswitchoffwhenI’mnotusingthem? #_____

Refrigerator Whattemperatureismyfridgeat? _______ºC

CanIchangethetemperatureinmyfridgetotheoptimum4ºC-5ºC?

Yes/No

Nowyou’vefilledintheenergysavingsplan,it’stimetoworkoutanactionplan,lookingoverthetableabove,choose5thingsyoucandotosaveenergyandwritethembelow:

5 things I can do to save energy in my home:

Example

1. Switch my light bulbs to energy saving ones

2.

3.

4.

5.

12

Activity 6: My energy saving poster

Objective:Tohelptheparticipantsidentifytheactionsthattheycantaketosaveenergyathomeaswellastocreativelydocumenttheseactions.

Time: 30-45minutes

Materials: piecesofbutcherspaper,pencils,pens,markers,glue,scissors,colouringpens(anythingcreativethattheparticipantscanusetocreateaposter)

What to do:Givetheparticipantssomebutcherspaperandmarkers,colouringpens,glue,etc……1.

Asktheparticipantstocreateaposterwith5tipsonhowtheycansaveenergyintheirhomes.2.

13

Activity 7: Look at your electricity bill

Objective:Tographtheparticipants’homeelectricitybillandidentifyvariationsinthebillaswellasjustifythesevariations.

Time: 30-45minutes

Materials:piecesofgraphpaper,pencils,pens,

What to do:Asktheparticipantstobringtheirelectricitybillfromhome.1.

Givethenpiecesofgraphpaperandaskthemtographtheirelectricitybill2.

Example:3.

Asktheparticipantswhytheythinkthattherearevariations(ifany)intheirgraphandtosaywhy4.theythinkthisisso.

Graph of Electricity Bill

Months

Amou

nt in

AU

D $

50

40

30

20

10

0Jan Apr Jul Oct

14

Activity 8: Energy saving quiz

Objective:Torecapandtesttheknowledgeoftheparticipantsonenergyconservation.

Time: 20-30minutes

Materials: piecesofpaper,pens

What to do:Givetheparticipantspiecesofpaperanddictatetothemthequestionsthatarewrittenbelow.1.

Asktheparticipantstoswaptheirpiecesofpaperwiththeirneighbourandthengothroughtheanswers2.withthewholeclass

Arewardcanbegiventotheparticipantwhogetsalltheanswerscorrect.3.

Thisactivitycanalsobedoneingroups4.

QuestionsHowmuchofNauru’selectricitycomesfromfossilfuels?1.(answersinbold)a. 0%

b. 50%

c. 100%

Writedownonetypeofrenewablesourceofenergyandonetypeofnon-renewablesourceofenergy.2.

Whatisthebestwaytosaveenergyatschoolandwork?3.a. Switchoffallthelightswhenyouleavearoom

b. Makesureairconditionersareonlyonwhenneeded

c. Turnoffelectricalequipmentovernightandwhennotbeingused.

d. All of the above

Whyshouldwesaveenergy?4.a. toreduceourelectricitybill

b. toreducetheamountofairpollutants

c. all of the above

Whattemperatureshouldyourrefrigeratorbesetattosaveenergy?5.

a. 1-2ºC

b. 4-5 º C

c. 7-10ºC

15

Where to find more information Contact:SilvieDageagoEnergyOfficerEnergyOfficeCentralUtilitiesPh4443794Email:[email protected]

16

This guidebook was prepared by Live & Learn Environmental Education

as part of the Nauru Energy Conservation Project

October 2008

Live & Learn Environmental Education: Fres Wota Four

(opposite Fres Wota School), Port Vila, Vanuatu

M: (+678) 27448 E: [email protected] www.livelearn.orgg

Written by: Diana Hinge and Sophie Scott, Vanuatu

Design and layout by: Karen Young

Illustrations by: Karen Young

Photography by: Kaori Yoshinaga

© Copyright: Live & Learn Environmental Education 2008

Permission is granted to duplicate materials for non-commercial, non-profit educational purposes

only provided acknowledgment is given. All other rights reserved.

A joint project of Live & Learn Environmental Education, SOPAC and the Government of the Republic of Nauru. Funding provided by the European Commission

A guide to saving electricity at home, school and at work

Save electricity Save money