New
New
Reducing energy use
I can explain a range of actions I and others can take to reduce energy use, and why this matters.
Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
- Year 5
Reducing energy use
I can explain a range of actions I and others can take to reduce energy use, and why this matters.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Activities at home and at school use different types and amounts of energy.
- Heating, lighting, cooking and heating water use lots of energy and can be monitored by meter readings.
- Different forms of transport use very differing amounts of energy, but active travel uses the least.
- Reducing energy use can contribute to reducing the impacts of climate change.
Keywords
Appliances - Appliances are devices used for a particular purpose that usually require electricity to work, e.g. fridge, vacuum cleaner or TV.
Meters - Meters measure the flow and amount of electricity or gas into different buildings or homes.
Active travel - Active travel is ways of travelling that involve some activity from people, e.g. walking, cycling or scooting.
Common misconception
Individuals can't make an impact on reducing energy usage.
We all have a part to play in reducing energy usage.
Keep an energy usage diary for your class for a day / week. Then keep another diary after discussing energy usage measures as a class and compare the differences.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What does this energy use map tell us?
What does this energy use map tell us?
everyone uses the same amount of energy
everyone uses too much energy
Q2.Which of these countries gets most of its energy from renewable sources?
Which of these countries gets most of its energy from renewable sources?
India
England
Q3.Match the power to its energy source
Match the power to its energy source
Q4.Which renewable energy source tends to produce more electricity in winter?
Which renewable energy source tends to produce more electricity in winter?
Solar
Biomass
Q5.Producing power from which of these sources of energy creates carbon emissions?
Producing power from which of these sources of energy creates carbon emissions?
Q6.Which of the following statements is true
Which of the following statements is true
We use the same amount of electricity every day.
Everyone in the world uses too much electricity.
Q1 CC-BY-2.0 OurWorldInData.org/energy. Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2023); Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2023); Population based on various sources (2023) Q5 image 2 Coal, oatsy40, 2013, licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a meter?
What is a meter?
A device that saves energy
A device that generates electricity
Q2.Which of the following is not a form of active travel?
Which of the following is not a form of active travel?
cycling
walking
Q3.Which of the following is an electrical appliance?
Which of the following is an electrical appliance?
house
skateboard
Q4.Order the energy usage in different transport sectors in the UK in 2022. Start with the highest usage.
Order the energy usage in different transport sectors in the UK in 2022. Start with the highest usage.
Q5.Which of the following are suggestions for how to reduce energy use?
Which of the following are suggestions for how to reduce energy use?
Drive long distances in petrol cars
Q6.Order these school uses of energy use from highest to lowest
Order these school uses of energy use from highest to lowest
