Name: _________________  Date: _______

    Directions:  You will be gathering data about your familyâs use of
    electricity this month using the electric meter outside, your familyâs
    electricity bill from last month, and your homeâs dimensions.  You
    will bring this data to school for us at the end of the month for us
    to do some Ratio Studies comparing your familyâs use of electricity
    with other homes in our area.
 
    Step One: Measure the dimensions of your house.  Choose the
    basic house, not extra porches, etc.  Draw your house on a 8 1/2 ã
    by llä paper, using a scale, labeling the length, width, and an
    estimate of height.  Determine the volume of the basic house
    and then determine the volume of the roof space.  Attach your
    drawing to  the front of this project sheet

    Formulas to remember:
  Rectangular House = length x width x height
  Triangular Prism (roof) = 1/2 x base x height
   (base = length x width)

   Show work here to determine the volume of your house:
 
 

 Step Two: Go outside to find your electric meter.  Record its
    figures for at least five days straight.  Make a chart below showing the meter
    readings, difference from the day before and notes on what were the high uses
    of electricity in your house that day.

 
   Notes should describe the special high-use electrical jobs going on that day (laundry,
   air conditioning on, etc.)

   Step Three: Determine your house electricity bill from last month
    (with your parents help).  Total _______

    What are big uses of electricity in your home:
 

    How does your home get heat and air conditioning?  How efficient is it?
 

    What about the hot water heater use in your house (see attachment) ?
 
 
 
 

    Other Family Comments/Notes:
 

    Parent Signature: ___________________ Date: _____
    Step Four:  Describe your familyâs home use of electricity based on its
    size (ratio of volume to electricity bill):  Our house uses ____kilowatt
    hours per ____ cubic feet or a ratio of ____ kwh per cubic foot.

A great Internet Site to use to help you understand Electricity

Attach any information or projects you do from this site to your Electricity Home Project