For this section, distribute kwhr questionnaire to the students. Students will be asked to draw their own electric meters. At this point, they should have called U.I. to find out what their account numbers and meter numbers are. They will take and record daily meter readings at home. If this is not possible, a simulated meter will be provided in class with readings or if possible I will attempt to secure an actual meter from the U.I. with a representative to actually demonstrate and answer any questions. From this point, the students should calculate daily and monthly consumption. Have students go through their homes, room by room, and list all electrical devices to be used with the last objective, identifying electric energy users. List and categorize into high-medium-low energy consumers.
The majority of American homes now have at least 16 different electrical appliances. To find out how much it costs to operate an appliance, multiply the cost for a kilowatt-hour by the number of kwhr the appliance uses.
An additional exercise may involve the student recording (estimate if necessary) the actual time that a particular appliance is used in a day, week or month. For instance, an electric stove—how many hours a week is it used? While your usage of any appliance may not be the same
as the average consumption listed, this calculation will Provide approximate operating costs. Using the pamphlet “You and Your Electric Company” follow the chart on Annual Energy Requirement. Kilowatt-hour rates vary widely. Utilities list the rate for a kilowatt-hour on statements to customers.
