Q) Can I complete the homework before the class?
A) Yes, you may do the homework (below) before or after the class.
 
 

Energy Merit Badge Homework to complete the MB, Requirement #4:

4 Conduct an energy audit of your home. Keep a 14 day log that records what you and your family did to reduce energy use. Include the following in your report and, after the 14 day period, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

   a. List the types of energy used in your home such as electricity, wood, oil, liquid petroleum, and natural gas, and tell how each is delivered and measured, and the current cost; OR record the transportation fuel used, miles driven, miles per gallon, and trips using your family car or another vehicle.

   b. Describe ways you and your family can use energy resources more wisely. In preparing your discussion, consider the energy required for the things you do and use on a daily basis (cooking, showering, using lights, driving, watching TV, using the computer). Explain how you can change your energy use through reuse and recycling.

Homework, complete and turn in to receive your completed Blue Card:

Scout's Name  _____________________

4. Conduct an energy audit of your home.  (Sample Home Energy Audit)

 Keep a 14 day log that records what you and your family did to reduce energy use.
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Include the following in your report and, after the 14 day period, discuss what you have learned with your counselor.

a. List the types of energy used in your home such as electricity, wood, oil, liquid petroleum, and natural gas, and tell how each is delivered and measured, and the current cost; OR record the transportation fuel used, miles driven, miles per gallon, and trips using your family car or another vehicle.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

b. Describe ways you and your family can use energy resources more wisely. In preparing your discussion, consider the energy required for the things you do and use on a daily basis (cooking, showering, using lights, driving, watching TV, using the computer). Explain how you can change your energy use through reuse and recycling.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Home Energy Audit (part of home work #4)

Attic
__ Insulation - Is there enough insulation between ceiling joists?
__ Vents - Sufficient and unobstructed?

Living Areas
__ Air Leakage - Tape a foot of toilet paper to a pencil with paper hanging free.  Hold near windows and doorframes, window air-conditioning units, and electrical covers. If paper moves, you may need weather-stripping, caulking, or storm windows.
___ Wall Insulation - Are the wall too cool to the touch on a cold day or too warm on a hot day?
__ Thermostat - Set at 68 degrees in winter (turn down 5 degrees more when sleeping), 78 in summer.
__ Drapes - During winter, open drapes and shades to let sunlight in. Close at night. During the summer, close drapes.
__ Unused Rooms - Close heating and cooling vents, doors in areas seldom used.
__ Use fans instead of air conditioning when possible.  Fans can also help circulate air when the air conditioning is on.

Fireplace
__ Close the damper when fireplace is not in use.
__ Glass doors keep heat from escaping up the chimney.

Kitchen
__ Refrigerator/Oven Seal - To test, close a dollar bill in the door. If the bill moves with little resistance, the seal is bad.
__ Appliances - Use washers and dryers in the morning and late evening hours when energy requirements are lower.
__ Lights - Turn off lights when not used.  Install lower wattage and fluorescent light bulbs whenever possible.
__ Faucets do not drip.
__ Refrigerator clean the grill under or inthe back of the Refrigerator.

Basement/Crawl Space
__ Heating/Cooling System - Clean or replace filters monthly.  Have unit serviced once a year.
__ Water Heater - Set temperatures no higher than 160 degrees.  Drain sediments 2 times a year.
__ Ducts/Pipes - Insulate hot water pipes as well as heating and cooling ducts.
__ Floors - If you have a crawl space under your house, install batt-type fiberglass insulation under floors.
__ Venting - Washer & dryer units should be vented directly to the outside.

Outside
__ Weather Stripping & Caulking - Caulk the cracks around windows, weather-strip around doors.
__ Doors - Keep doors tightly closed on hot or cold days.
 
 
 

End of HomeWork
 
 
 
 
 

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To Dave Sargent's Space Exploration Merit Badge page
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Lucky Baldwin website site:
http://www.paulswire.com/scouts.html

San Gabriel Valley Council