Science of Energy Efficiency – Computation

Summary

Science of Energy Efficiency Computation: Calculating Energy Use and Savings

The Science of Energy Efficiency computation activity strengthens students’ quantitative skills by applying power, time, and energy calculations to real technologies. Students compare incandescent and LED light bulbs, calculate daily and monthly energy use, and determine cost savings using electricity rates.

Through these calculations, students connect abstract formulas to real-world energy decisions and evaluate how efficiency improvements scale from individual devices to household-level impacts. The activity reinforces unit conversions, proportional reasoning, and interpretation of results.

This computation work prepares students for data analysis and experimental efficiency calculations later in the lesson sequence.

This activity is part of the Science of Energy Efficiency lesson, which also includes data analysis and a laboratory investigation. Teachers may also want to explore Introduction to Energy Efficiency for conceptual reinforcement.