Electricity And Me
Electricity is a form of energy. It makes the way we live our lives possible. It keeps our homes warm,
our lights on, our computers and cell phones charged, our ice cream frozen—it touches our lives in
almost every way!
Energy is created from both nonrenewable and renewable natural resources. The electricity we use in
school, at home and other places is a secondary energy resource. It comes from the burning of coal or
natural gas, the turning of wind turbines, the sun in solar panels and from other sources. It takes peo-
ple to make the electricity we use. Many skilled men and women in hundreds of different career fields
work to take the energy from the earth’s natural resources, turn it into electricity and deliver it to you to
make your electronic video games and your household appliances run.
Electricity is a valuable part of our lives. It’s important to use it wisely, because not wasting
electricity means we are not wasting the earth’s natural resources.
TRY IT!
In the picture below, circle all the ways electricty is being used. Next, find a partner. For three minutes,
list all the different ways you use electricity every day. Share and compare your list with your partner.
Below are the average amounts a
typical American household spends
on energy each year to run specific
items. What is the total yearly
energy cost for these items?
Computer and monitor -
TV, DVR, DVD -
Dishwasher -
Refrigerator -
Clothes washer & dryer -
Lighting -
Other -
Water heater -
Cooling -
Heating -
$ 22
$ 35
$ 47
$ 87
$107
$184
$239
$245
$257
$688
Total _________________
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