1. Today we’re going to learn more about Renewable Energy
Today we’re going to learn more about Renewable Energy. After we learn more about it, we’ll discuss the types of jobs available in the Renewable Energy industry.
If you want to learn more about Energy Jobs go to

2. Renewable Energy
Today’s lesson will focus on Energy Efficiency and Conservation.
So, what do these terms mean?
All content comes from Energy Efficiency & Conservation published by the National Energy Education Foundation.

3. Did you know….
Americans make up less than 5% of the world population, but consume 25% of the world’s energy?
In addition, Americans consume six times the world per capita consumption of energy.

4. Energy Efficiency vs. Conservation
Energy Efficiency refers to using technology that requires less energy to perform the same function.
Conservation is behaviors that result in using less energy.
Who has an example of Energy Efficiency? Examples include compact fluorescent bulbs, insulation, etc.
Who has an example of Energy Conservation? Examples include shorter showers, turning off lights when you leave a room, etc.

5. Energy Efficiency
Heating & Cooling – 45% of a home’s total utility bill goes to heating and cooling
Manage the thermostat
Insulate the home
1/3 of heating/cooling loss happens through windows
Landscape to block wind and provide shade
Heating and cooling can be made more efficient through proper maintenance of equipment, replacing equipment when necessary, using insulation, weatherizing (taking care of drafts, old windows, etc.) and by paying attention to where you keep the thermostat. This can result in a 60% savings on the utility bill. The thermostat can help make it even lower by lowering (in the cold weather) or raising (in the hot weather) the temperature by 2 degrees.
By making sure the home is properly insulated, you can save 10% on your utility bills.
Save more by installing energy efficient windows and doors. There is something called a “U” factor in rating windows. The lower the U factor, the better the windows are at not letting heat escape through them. If replacing windows is not an option, one can seal the windows with caulking around the edges, use storm windows in cold weather, and by opening drapes and blinds during the day for cold weather and closing drapes and blinds during the day for hot weather.
Lastly, planting trees and shrubs that block wind and keep the house shady can help save on heating and cooling bills.
Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” – change sunlight directly into electricity. PV systems are often used in remote locations that are not connected to the electric grid.  They are also used to power watches, calculators, and lighted road signs.
Solar Power Plants -  indirectly generate electricity when the heat from solar thermal collectors is used to heat a fluid which produces steam that is used to power generator. Out of the 15 known solar electric generating units operating in the United States at the end of 2006, 10 of these are in California, and 5 in Arizona. No statistics are being collected on solar plants that produce less than 1 megawatt of electricity, so there may be smaller solar plants in a number of other states.

6. Energy Efficiency
Appliances – accounts for 24% of the total utility bill
Energy efficient appliances may be more expensive, but save $ in the long run
ENERGY STAR® appliances
Read the Energy Guide label
The ENERGY STAR system was created by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency to rate the most efficient appliances in their class.
Another way to determine the energy efficiency of an appliance is to read the Energy Guide label. This can tell you the average energy use and cost that can be expected each year.

7. Energy Efficiency Lighting– accounts for 10% of the total utility bill
Fluorescent bulbs use 25% less electricity compared to incandescent bulbs and last times longer
Did you know that if every American replaced one light bulb with a fluorescent bulb, this would save the amount of energy produced by one nuclear power plant for a year?

8. Energy Efficiency
Water Heater– accounts for 13% of the total utility bill
Use less hot water
Lower the hot water thermostat
Purchase a new hot water heater
A hot water heater is used to heat water for showers, baths, laundry and dishwashing.
One simple way to save energy is to use less water. You can take showers instead of baths, take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets and pipes, and use a lower water setting when doing laundry.
Lowering the hot water heater thermostat is another way to save energy. Most are set at temperatures that are higher than needed.
Also, a newer hot water heater can save $200 annually.

9. Energy Efficiency
Transportation– Americans spend more than $2,000 on average per year on fuel for their cars.
See page 4 on your handout for ways to save gas.
SUVs and trucks use much more fuel than smaller, more energy efficient cars.

10. Conservation Reduce the amount of waste you produce
Reuse when possible
Recycle
Strive for sustainability: using energy without compromising the needs of future generations.
Reduce the amount of waste you produce by purchasing products with less packaging.
Reuse items, such as plastic bags, containers, etc, when possible.
Industry uses less energy with recycled materials vs. raw materials.
Sustainability focuses on long-term energy strategies and policies.
One simple way to save energy is to use less water. You can take showers instead of baths, take shorter showers, fix leaky faucets and pipes, and use a lower water setting when doing laundry.
Lowering the hot water heater thermostat is another way to save energy. Most are set at temperatures that are higher than needed.
Also, a newer hot water heater can save $200 annually.

11. Visit www.getintoenergy.com to learn more about careers in energy!