Vampire power
Focus Questions
1.
Before you watch the BtN story, make some predictions about what you think the
story is about.
2. What is `vampire power’?
3. Experts say that the average home has around _____appliances plugged in using
electricity all day every day.
4. What is meant by the term `standby’?
5. Give examples of appliances in the home that use power all the time.
6. About how much a year does it cost to run entertainment equipment on standby?
7. Why is it a concern for the average household?
8. Apart from saving money, what might be some other reasons to turn appliances
off?
9. What changes could you make in your home to reduce energy consumption?
10. What was surprising about this story?
Energy saving
Negotiate with student s how many activities they will need to complete.
Remember and understand

Write a statement about why you believe it is important to reduce
household energy consumption.

Name 10 appliances in the home that use energy.

Illustrate what you think was the main idea of the BtN story.
Apply and Analyse

Conduct a household appliance survey. List the appliances in the
bedrooms, kitchen, laundry, lounge/family room, study and outside the
home (carport/shed). Which appliances operate on `standby mode’?

What does your school do to conserve energy? Use a mindmap to record
energy saving devices, appliances or practices in your school. Suggest
some ways your school could further reduce energy consumption.

What are the energy/water ratings on appliances? Do you have appliances
at home that show the ratings? Do you have any energy/water saving
devices installed in your home? These could include energy saving lights,
timers, water saving shower heads. What additional energy saving
appliances or devices could be installed?
© ABC 2011
EPISODE 22
23RD AUGUST 2011
Learning Area
Society and Environment
Key learning
Students will investigate
and evaluate ways to
reduce energy
consumption in their home
and school.
Evaluate and create

How can buildings be designed to minimise energy consumption? Take on
the role of architect and design an energy efficient house. List the main
energy efficiencies and sustainable features you would like to include in
your design. Students can create a hand-drawn or digital model (using
Google Sketchup) of their house.

How can I make a difference? Create an artwork that illustrates how
people can make a difference to the environment right now and in the
future. Consider factors such as making their home more energy efficient,
using alternative forms of transport (consider cycling or walking whenever
possible) and reducing waste.

Whose responsibility is it to protect and conserve the energy resources?
Present your thoughts and opinions to the class or small group of
students.
 Related Research Links
NSW Department of Education and Training – Amy’s Energy Saving Website
http://www.amysenergysave.com.au/index.html
Energy Quest – Energy vampires
http://energyquest.ca.gov/vampires/dswmedia/index.html
Energy Quest – Energy vampires: What can you do?
http://www.energyquest.ca.gov/vampires/dswmedia/elimination.html
PBS Kids – Energy vampires
http://meetthegreens.pbskids.org/episode5/energy-vampires.html
© ABC 2011