Basic 8 · Social Studies · Conserving Energy
Why and How to Conserve Energy
In this topic you will examine the importance of conserving energy and identify the main sources of energy in Ghana and how energy can be saved at home.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Explain what energy conservation means
- Identify Ghana's main sources of energy
- Describe ways of conserving energy at home
What you already know
- Sources of energy
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
Lesson 1
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Conserving Energy
- Indicator
- B8.1.1.2.1 – Examine the means of conserving energy
Introduction
When the lights go off, shops close, freezers warm up and studying becomes harder. Modern life depends on energy.
1. What Is Energy Conservation?
Energy conservation: Using less energy by avoiding waste and changing how we use it.
Energy conservation does not mean doing without. It means using only what we need. If you leave a fan running in an empty room, you waste energy and money. Turning it off saves both and takes one second. Energy efficiency is closely related to this: it means using better technology to get the same result with less energy, such as using an LED bulb in place of an old filament bulb.
2. Sources of Energy in Ghana
| Source | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| hydroelectricity | power | Akosombo, Kpong, Bui |
| thermal power | power from oil and gas | Aboadze, Tema |
| solar | power and lighting | Bui, Navrongo |
| petroleum | transport, machines | petrol and diesel |
| LPG | cooking | gas cylinders |
| wood fuel | cooking | firewood and charcoal |
Many households rely on wood fuel, while cars, trotros and generators use imported or locally refined petroleum. Much of the electricity in Ghana is now generated by thermal plants, which burn gas or oil.
3. Why Conserve Energy?
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| saves money | Bills are lower, so money is left for other needs. |
| saves resources | Oil, gas and forests last longer. |
| protects the environment | Less burning means less pollution. |
| improves reliability | Less demand reduces power cuts. |
| reduces imports | Less foreign exchange is spent on fuel. |
| helps future generations | Resources remain for them. |
4. Learning from Dumsor
Between 2012 and 2016, Ghana experienced serious power shortages, known as dumsor, an Akan expression for off and on. Businesses lost money, students struggled and hospitals had to use costly generators. The crisis had several causes, including low water levels, a shortage of fuel and growing demand. It taught Ghanaians how important reliable energy is, and it reminded us that saving power helps everyone. When many people use less at peak time, the whole system is under less pressure.
5. Cost of Energy
Energy costs are part of the cost of living. A family's electricity bill and LPG costs may take up a large share of income. Fuel prices affect transport fares and food prices too. Saving energy therefore helps a household's budget in many ways.
New words
- conservation
- Careful use of resources.
- efficiency
- Getting more from less energy.
- wood fuel
- Firewood and charcoal.
- dumsor
- Repeated power cuts in Ghana.
Summary
- Conservation means using energy wisely and avoiding waste.
- Ghana uses hydro, thermal, solar, petroleum and wood fuel.
- Saving energy saves money and protects resources and the environment.
Class activity: Energy Sources Survey
- Ask ten households what energy they use.
- Record the results in a table.
- Present the most common source.
You need: LED bulb, Switchable power strip, Sample ECG electricity bill
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which is a source of electricity in Ghana?
- A. Akosombo Dam
- B. Kakum
- C. Lake Bosomtwe
- D. Kwahu Hills
Show answer
Answer: Akosombo DamHydro.2. LPG is mostly used for…
- A. cooking
- B. lighting bulbs
- C. farming only
- D. writing
Show answer
Answer: cookingGas.3. Energy conservation saves money.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueBills.4. Repeated power cuts in Ghana are called ______.
Show answer
Answer: dumsorLocal word.5. Give three reasons for conserving energy.
Show answer
Answer: It saves money, protects the environment and makes resources last longer.Any three.6. What is the difference between conservation and efficiency?
Show answer
Answer: Conservation is using less by changing behaviour, and efficiency is getting the same result with better technology.Definitions.
Lesson 2
- Strand
- Environment
- Sub-strand
- Conserving Energy
- Indicator
- B8.1.1.2.1 – Examine the means of conserving energy
Introduction
The cheapest electricity is the electricity you did not use. Homes offer many easy ways to save.
1. Saving Electricity
| Appliance | Wasteful habit | Better habit |
|---|---|---|
| bulbs | lights on in empty rooms | switch off, use LED |
| fridge | door left open | close quickly, defrost, do not overfill |
| iron | ironing one item at a time | iron many items at once |
| TV and decoder | left on standby | switch off at the socket |
| fans and air conditioners | running with no one there | switch off, close windows when cooling |
| phone charger | left plugged in | unplug when done |
2. Understanding the Electricity Bill
Cost of a fan
A 100 W fan runs for 10 hours a day. If electricity costs GH₵2 per kWh, what is the cost per 30-day month?
- Energy per day: 100 W × 10 h = 1,000 Wh = 1 kWh.
- Energy per month: 1 kWh × 30 = 30 kWh.
- Cost: 30 × 2.
Answer: GH₵60
The figures here are only an example, since actual tariffs change. A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is one unit of electricity. Appliances that make heat, such as irons and heaters, use the most power.
3. Saving Cooking Fuel
Cooking uses a great deal of energy. Cover pots while cooking, since this keeps heat in. Cut food into small pieces, use dry firewood and soak beans before boiling them. Improved stoves burn less charcoal. Good planning helps too, such as cooking several things together. Using LPG can reduce the pressure on forests, as can tree planting.
4. Using Natural Light and Air
Open curtains during the day and use daylight rather than lamps. Open windows and use natural air flow. Painting walls white reflects light and heat. Trees around a house provide shade and cool the air. Builders can design homes with good cross-ventilation to reduce the need for fans.
5. Energy Labels
Ghana's Energy Commission requires certain appliances, such as fridges and air conditioners, to carry energy labels. The more stars an appliance has, the less electricity it uses. Used, inefficient fridges cannot legally be imported. Buying efficient appliances may cost more at first, but saves money later.
New words
- kilowatt-hour
- The unit of electricity use.
- standby
- A low-power state of an appliance.
- ventilation
- The flow of fresh air.
- tariff
- The price charged for electricity.
Summary
- Simple habits can reduce the use of electricity.
- Bills are calculated in kilowatt-hours.
- Saving cooking fuel and using daylight also conserve energy.
Class activity: Home Energy Audit
- List the appliances in your home.
- Note wasteful habits.
- Suggest three changes.
You need: LED bulb, Switchable power strip, Sample ECG electricity bill
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. Which saves energy?
- A. switching off lights in empty rooms
- B. leaving the fridge open
- C. ironing one item daily
- D. leaving fans on
Show answer
Answer: switching off lights in empty roomsHabit.2. The unit on an electricity bill is the…
- A. kilowatt-hour
- B. litre
- C. metre
- D. kilogram
Show answer
Answer: kilowatt-hourEnergy.3. Covering a pot saves cooking fuel.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: TrueKeeps heat in.4. The flow of fresh air through a building is ______.
Show answer
Answer: ventilationAir.5. Give three ways of saving electricity at home.
Show answer
Answer: Switch off lights, use LED bulbs and unplug chargers.Any three.6. Why might a more costly, efficient fridge be cheaper in the long run?
Show answer
Answer: It uses less electricity, so lower bills repay the higher price.Long-term saving.
Homework
- Carry out a one-week energy-saving plan at home and record the results.