Includes a 2–3 day timeline, student steps, bill-reading support, kWh and cost calculations, graphing directions, and an efficiency upgrade extension with a grading rubric.
Home Electricity Audit
Summary
Run a real-world electricity project that builds energy literacy and math confidence—without extra prep. In this Home Electricity Audit lesson plan, students (1) analyze a sample utility bill, (2) calculate cost per kWh, (3) estimate appliance energy use and daily cost using watts → kilowatts → kWh, and (4) visualize and interpret results with a pie chart or bar graph. Extend learning with an efficiency upgrade investigation where students compare appliance options and calculate potential savings and payback time.
Includes: student worksheet, teacher guide with timeline + teaching notes, answer key, and rubric.
Time: 2–3 class periods (plus optional at-home data collection)
Materials: sample bill (included), optional device labels/online research
Quick facts:
- Grades: 6-12
- Time: 2-3 class periods
- Prep: low (print + assign)
- Skills: kWh + cost math, data tables, graphing, CER/reflection
- Flexible: at-home audit or sample dataset option
Activities
Student Guide
Guides learners through a complete investigation of household electricity use—step by step, with all calculations structured and repeatable.
Answer Key
Includes sample responses for identifying bill components, explaining generation vs. delivery, and completing the cost-per-kWh math using a sample bill.
Downloadables