1

Watt Watchers is a free, state-sponsored program to

help schools save energy and money by getting students
involved. Students patrol their school looking for empty
classrooms with the lights on. They turn out the lights
and leave a ticket for the teacher. It may sound trivial
but…when the teacher forgets to turn out the lights an
extra 2 hours per day, at lunch and after school, for
example —it costs the district $50 every year.

Get your students involved.

Save energy,
save money,
and prevent pollution.
Sign up for a free kit today.

Watt Watchers of Texas

University of Texas at El Paso – Energy Center
P.O. Box 68660
El Paso, Texas 79968

Toll Free Phone and Fax: 1-888-US-WATTS e-mail: info@wattwatchers.org Internet: http://wattwatchers.org
2
 Watt Watchers
of Texas
Program Manual

A Texas Tradition

2nd printing

The Energy Center

The University of Texas at El Paso
P.O. Box 68660
El Paso, Texas 79968

www.wattwatchers.org Phone: 1-888-US WATTS

E-mail: info@wattwatchers.org Fax 1-888-US WATTS

Sponsored by:
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts,
State Energy Conservation Office,
U.S. Department of Energy

1
 Watt Watchers of T
Watchers
Program Manual
Table of Contents
I.W att W
I.Watt atchers - A TTexas
Watchers exas
Tradition ................................3
radition................................3
a. Introduction to Watt
Watchers..............................4
b. SECO................................ . 5
c. History of Watt Watcher.......6
II. Implementing the Watt
Watchers Program.......
Program......... . 7
a. FAQs..................................8
b. Watt Watcher Student
Patrols................................10
c. Tips for Starting Your
Patrol..................................12
d. Planning Patrol Routes.......13
e. Secret Mission...................15
f. Kick off Programs/ Chants/
Skits....................................17
g. Teachers love Watt
Watchers...............................19
h. Preserving Your Kit. . ...........20
i. Changing Schools?.............21
j. Explanation to Faculty and
Staff............................................22
k. Sample Announcement......23
l. Sample Press Release.........24
III. Going FFur ur ther
urther ............25
ther............25
a. Extend Your Watt Watchers
Program.....................................26
Watt Watchers of Texas Staff
Teexas
b. Expand Your Watt Watchers c. Zero Hero Award........... ....54
Program....................................20
d. Most Improved Award .......55
c. Mentor a Feeder School........32 VII. It Works!...................57
IV.. FForms................
IV orms.........................
orms................ ...........33
......... ..33
a. The $50 Bill................ ........58
a. Watt Watchers Agreement.....34 b. How Much is Energy
b. Check Sheet Guide Awareness Worth?................59
(Instructions)............................35
c. The $20 Bill................ ........60
c. Checksheet – Landscape......36 d. Comptroller: JT Hutchinson
d. Checksheet –Portrait.............37 JHS............................................61
e. Sample Tickets......................38 e. Hays Saves with Watt
Watchers ............................62
f. Sample Thank You Notes.........39
f. Watt Watchers Save
g. Door Hanger Sample (3 up)...40
$3600 Per Campus...............63
h. Blank Door Hanger Template
VIII. That’s Not All Y’all!....64
(2 up).....................................41
a. Enroll in Watt Watchers.......66
i. Blank Ticket/Thank You (6 up)...42
b. Uncle Tex...........................67
j. Watt Watchers Name Tags.... .43
k. Explanation to Faculty and c. Knowledge is Power............68
d. Traveling Energy Exploration
Staff........................................44
V .Sponsor Insight..............45 Stations................................69
a. Recharge your Patrol............46 e. Junior Solar Sprint..............71
b. Watt Watcher Reflections......48 f. Sleep is Good.....................72
c. Quotes from the Sponsors......49 g. Energy Encounters..............73
h. Recycling Rangers............74
d. Notes ..................................50
VI. Celebrate your i. Real Projects.......................75
Success...................
Success..................... .. .....51
j. District Energy Council........76
.......51
a. Recognizing Energy k. Lighting – Myth vs. Fact.......77
Champions.............................52 l. Tale of 2 Lightbulbs..............80
b. Certificate of
Achievement............................53
Co-Editors:
.
Kirstin Wilsey and Amy Neblett
Illustrator and Art Director:
.
Salvador Saenz
Contributors:
Gwen Pratt and Steve Cook
2
 Watt Watchers
A Texas Tradition

3
Introduction
to Watt Watchers
W
att Watchers of Texas is a FREE energy The kit you receive will contain the
conservation program for Texas following:
schools sponsored by the Texas State
Energy Conservation Office/ Comptroller of
Public Accounts and the Department of 4 Watt Watchers of Texas three ring binders-
Energy. The program is designed for K-12 Use these to store your monthly patrol
classrooms, and it is so simple! Basically, records, thank yous, and tickets.
students patrol the halls of the schools reducing
energy waste by turning off lights and leaving 4 Watt Watchers of Texas lanyards and name
tickets for those that leave their lights on while tags- To identify your Watt Watcher students
no one is in the room. By doing this, a school while they are out in the halls.
could save $50 per classroom. That’s right, it 4 Watt Watcher Pencils- To use while
costs $50 per year to light an empty classroom
recording data during the patrols or just to
for two hours each school day.
promote the program at your school.
Teachers, just place the Watt Watchers
materials in a bin at your front door and assign
1 Watt Watchers of Texas Manual- This
your students a time to go on patrols manual contains all the information you
throughout the day and the work is done. The will need to get your program going and
program can be adapted to fit your teaching keep the enthusiasm high. It also contains
needs and demands. The Watt Watchers master copies of all our forms and awards.
program is designed to not interrupt daily 1 Watt Watchers of Texas CD-ROM- The paper
school activities. Thousands of students across products you receive are also on the CD.
Texas are now patrolling quickly and quietly. You can print or modify the forms and
Call 1-888-USWATTS or go online to awards we have developed from this
wattwatchers.org to enroll. Once you enroll source.
in the program you will receive the free kit,
1 Set of color copies of thank you notes and
which includes all the items you will need to
tickets- We suggest you laminate these
get the program started at your school. Not
pages and have reusable tickets. We are
only will your school be provided with these
trying to save energy, right?
materials, but Watt Watchers of Texas will
provide free support for the program and a 1 Mini Poster series- a series of mini posters
quarterly newspaper with tips and articles (81/2 x 11) that promote the Watt Watcher
about successful programs and other projects program and our other projects.
your school can do. You will also have access
to all of our other programs such as Knowledge
is Power Curriculum Supplement, Sleep is Good
Monitor Power Management, Traveling Energy
Exploration Stations and many more.

4
SECO
Texas State Energy Conservation Office
The mission of the State Energy Conservation Office is to maximize energy efficiency
while protecting the environment.
S
ECO administers and delivers a variety of
energy efficiency and renewable
programs which significantly impact
energy cost and consumption in the
institutional, industrial, transportation and
residential sectors.
Authority and
Organization
Created in response to the Arab oil
embargo of 1973 and the resulting national
energy crisis, the Texas “energy office” has
evolved from its original function of responding
to state fuel shortage emergencies and
administering federal energy conservation
grants to its current role as a statewide
promoter of energy efficiency and provider of
energy management services which have a
positive impact on state energy expenditures
and local property tax rates.
Beneficiaries of SECO’s services include
state agencies, public schools, city and county
governments, institutions of higher education,
private industries, and residential energy
consumers.
Originally known as the Governor’s Energy
Advisory Council (1975), the State Energy
Conservation Office has been housed in a
5
number of state agencies and undergone
several name changes. In 1999, the 76th
Texas Legislature transferred the energy office
to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
The primar y funding source for SECO
programs has been oil overcharge
settlement dollars resulting from federal court
settlements of alleged violations of price
controls in effect for crude oil and refined
petroleum products between 1973 and
1981. While the U. S. Department of Energy is
the federal agency responsible for ensuring
compliance with the court settlements, the
state’s responsibility is to return these funds
to the citizens of Texas through promoting and
supporting energy efficiency and renewable
energy programs according to state and
federal guidelines.
SECO’s task is to enable Texans to enjoy
the optimal benefit from the domestic energy
we produce, to contribute to our state’s
growing economy through reducing a major
operational cost of state government, school
districts, municipal governments, hospitals,
and small businesses, to promote those
technologies and procedures which result in
cost effective operation, and to show
individual Texas residents how an energy
efficient ethic can enhance their quality of
life and that of future Texans.
History of
Watt Watchers
E
nergy efficiency programs have been for lights left on in empty classrooms and
around in our schools for many years.began to get involved in other projects to stop
They come in all shapes and sizes andenergy waste, save money and prevent
with many different names, but the Watt pollution. In 2001 Watteam and Watt
Watchers of Texas program has helped Watchers merged to form Watt Watchers of
expand those Texas. This allowed us to
programs ....... put all of our resources
In 1985 the 1985 into helping students all
over the state.
Region IV
Education Region IV Education Service Center in
Service Center Houston was the site of the pilot
program for Watt Watchers of Texas.
in Houston was
the site of the Galveston ISD reduced their electric bill
pilot program by $25,000 that year.
for Watt Over 950 teachers have
Watchers of been doing the program
T e x a s .
for over five years.
Galveston ISD
was one of the Thousands of students
first schools to have learned about
embrace the
conservation and energy
program within
Region IV and efficiency.
reduced their Winter 2006, 3796 teachers in over 550
electric bill by school districts have enrolled in the Watt
$25,000 that Watcher program.
year. The next Thousands of dollars have been saved…
year, through a
contract with
the University of
Texas Permian
2007 As of Winter 2006,
3796 teachers in over
Basin, a Watt 550 school districts have
W a t c h e rprogram was implemented enrolled in the Watt Watcher program. There
for West Texas. Their program expanded to are 961 teachers that have been doing the
include over 160 school districts throughout program for over five years. Thousands of
Texas by 1993. In 1997 Texas expanded the students have watched watts, ticketed
program to cover the entire state and divided teachers, learned about conservation and
the 254 counties between Watteam and Watt energy efficiency and thousands of dollars
Watchers. Student patrols continued to look have been saved…

6
Implementing
the
Watt Watchers
Program

7
Watt Watchers FA Qs

What is Watt W
Watt atchers?
Watchers? When does it occur?
Watt Watchers of Texas is a FREE program Groups can patrol before and after
to your school. The Watt school, once a week, or just
Watcher patrol groups patrol during their energy unit.
assigned areas of the school, However it will fit into your
checking for energy waste in Our energy schedule. We encourage
the form of building lights. If future depends you to patrol regularly . The
students find lights on in empty on decisions more often you patrol, the
rooms they leave “tickets”; they students will more energy and money
may leave thank you notes you will save for your
make about
where their recorded data school.
energy use;
shows consistent energy What is the
efficiency. The program Watt Watchers
gives them the
cost?
focuses on saving energy costs
in the school and increasing opportunity to The training and support
student awareness of energy make a necessar y for the Watt
issues. Watt Watcher energy Watchers program are
difference now
patrols have saved absolutely free, thanks to
participating schools around by “doing
funding from SECO. When
the nation from hundreds to something” for you enroll you will receive
thousands of dollars in energy their school. a start-up kit from Watt
costs each year. Watchers of Texas. You will
Who can also receive access to the
participate? other programs sponsored
Anyone can form a Watt by Watt Watchers such as
Watcher patrol. A classroom the Knowledge is Power
during their energy unit, an energy related Curriculum Supplement, Traveling Energy
extra curricular group, or a service Exploration Stations, Sleep is Good, District
organization are all examples of groups who Energy Council, and much more.
could patrol.
Why bother?
Who offers the program? Why should administrators and staff work
The Watt Watchers of Texas program is to save energy? One answer is money.
administered by the Energy Center at the Reducing school energy costs can increase
University of Texas at El Paso. The program is dollars available in the school district budget
sponsored by the Texas State Energy for educational uses. From a global
Conservation Office (SECO). perspective, saving energy saves natural
resources and reduces associated
environmental problems.

8
Yes, but why involve program as well as tickets, thank you notes,
students? patrol records, student contracts, and other
materials for teaching and motivating
Energy efficiency is ever yone’s
students and staff. Copy and distribute the
responsibility. School is a significant part of
material as freely as needed. More
the student’s world, and the Watt Watchers
information is available on our web site
program is a proven method of teaching
(www.wattwatchers.org). For schools that do
energy efficient habits while reducing school
not have access to the internet, you can
electric bills. Our energy future depends on
reach us by phone or fax. If you have
decisions students will make about energy
questions or need additional information, you
use; Watt Watchers gives them the opportunity
can send us an e-mail message
to make a difference now by “doing
(info@wattwatchers.org) or call us on our toll
something” for their school. All members of
free number (1-888-US WATTS). As a Watt
the Watt Watchers team will receive a
Watcher of Texas school you’ll receive a
certificate of participation.
quarterly newspaper, as well as energy
Are lights that important? information and ongoing support. And
In a typical Texas school, lighting alone remember, it is all FREE to your school.
can account for 1/3 of the entire utility bill! After we enroll, what if we
Watt Watchers has assisted hundreds of need more materials or
schools in reducing this cost. Hays CISD saved help?
more than $260,000 in the district electric bill.
Just give us a call once you decide how
As an incentive the campuses that
you are going to implement the Watt
participated were given 10 percent of what
Watcher program. We can answer
they saved. Campuses received checks questions on logistics and facts and we can
ranging from $300 to $11,000. Other also supply you with additional materials if
districts, using the Watt Watchers of Texas idea needed. You can also print many of the
along with comprehensive energy forms in this manual from our website or from
management plans, report savings of the CD-ROM.
hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Could my school
benefit from the
dollar savings?
A portion of the savings may be
returned directly to the school as
an incentive. But whether schools
receive rebates or not, students
and staff learn energy efficiency
and everyone wins. Would your school
rather pay for educational programming or
utility bills?
How can my school start
Watt W atchers?
Watchers?
This manual includes the sequence of
steps for organizing and implementing the
9
Watt Watchers of Texas
Student Energy Patrols
H 3.
ere are some steps you should take in
setting up your program:
1. Contact Watt Watchers and get enrolled!
You will receive a free kit that gives you all
the supplies you need to run a successful
patrol. We also provide free support to
your program, so if at any point during the
setup process you need help, just give us
a call at 1-888-US WATTS!
2. Get support from the administration – Set
up a meeting with your administrators to
discuss the Watt Watchers program and
how it is going to benefit your school.
10
Present the program to the teachers and
staff at your school – The whole school
participates in Watt Watchers and it is
very important to inform everyone from
teachers and administrators to custodians
and volunteers. Tickets are reminders to
help people establish energy efficient
habits. Enthusiastic and supportive staff
make it more fun and more effective.
4. Choose the students to be on the Watt
Watchers Patrol – This program is successful
at any grade level and with diverse student
populations including at-risk, learning
disabled, special education, and gifted
and talented. Being a
member of the Watt Watchers
Patrol could provide
recognition to students
 who rarely receive opportunities for
leadership. The younger the students, the
more supervision needed. The students
must want to participate and be able to
carr y out the tasks consistently and
honorably. For more tips on choosing your
patrol see the Tips for Starting Tour Patrol
page in this manual.
5. Develop procedures for your building –
where, when and how often will the Watt
Watchers patrol? Consider times when
classrooms are normally empty such as
lunch, recess, before and after school.
Which rooms and areas will be included?
Will any areas be off limits? Do you want
to include doors, windows, ceiling fans,
computers or other energy gobblers? How
will the bathrooms, stage areas, teacher’s
workroom, offices and closets be
handled? Where will the Watt Watcher
patrols pick up and store their supplies?
What extra supplies will you need? These
are all things that you will need to decide
before setting up your team of patrols.
6.
Set up your Patrol Team – Get excited!!
The goals are to help reduce energy waste
(save money) and to teach every one in
the school to be energy efficient (change
behavior). It would be appropriate to
discuss energy production, fossil fuels,
consumption, pollution, waste and high
cost while introducing the program. Invite
them to count the light bulbs in one room
and multiply it by the number of rooms in
the school, and then add other schools,
cities and the whole state! The Watt
Watchers of
Texas program is
based on the
idea that each
person makes a
contribution by
helping reduce
waste. Energy
efficiency
benefits people,
the school,
c o m m u n i t y,
state and
planet.
11
7. Sign Contracts – Being a member of the
Watt Watchers of Texas program is a
privilege and a responsibility to be taken
seriously. Sponsors may want to use the
contracts provided in this manual. The
contract underscores the importance of
being on the team and is a reminder of
duties that students must perform.
8. Secret Mission, Shhh – It is time to go on
your first mission. Watt Watchers suggest
making this mission a secret. The secret
mission will allow you to see how much the
program is needed in your school. On
this mission you will be able to show the
students how to do the program without
passing out the tickets or thank you notes;
you will just mark the patrol record. This
will give you an idea of which classrooms
are going to need the most help in
remembering to turn the lights out! Next,
the students need to be trained. The
advisor or students in charge should
instruct the patrol on the procedures for
picking up supplies, hallway etiquette,
and the patrol record form.
9. Get started and keep going – Intercom
announcements, such as “Watt Watchers
are Watching!” arouse the interest before
patrols begin. An assembly to introduce
the other students to the program can be
helpful. Inform the media. Support from
the principal keeps interest high.
Occasional announcements of Watt
Watchers patrol results; recognition of
rooms/grade levels which have good
records; bulletin board displays; energy
efficiency competitions
between areas; special
notes or privileges for
winners; and pats on the
backs for the patrols and
staff are little things which
make successful
programs.
10.Have questions,
need assistance or more
materials – Call 1-888-
USWATTS or email
info@wattwatchers.org
we would love to help
you with your program!
T ips for Starting
Your Patrol
Choosing your patrol
groups:
Allow elections in the classroom to decide
who goes on patrol this week.
Choose the quiet ones.
Have each homeroom elect two students
that are not “serviced” by any other group-
not special ed labeled, not GT, not
athletically gifted.
Science club, honors group, student
council, environmental club are all
potential Watt Watchers!
Form a buddy team with a special ed
student and a regular ed student.
Deal a group- write everyone’s name on
a note card and “deal” patrol groups
each week by picking cards out of the
pile.
Training your patrol
groups:
You train the first ones and have them train
the ones that follow.
Start with a small group and rotate turns
every month or so until everyone gets a
chance to participate.
Practice hall etiquette.
Procedures:
Find an exit map of your school. Separate
patrol areas based on any logical
method to you. Grade levels, hallways,
subject areas, etc.
Patrol as you move from activity to activity
within the school such as when you leave
your room to go to the library, gym class
or, the lunchroom.
Charge a fine after a certain number of
tickets. The collected money could go
towards a prize for the Zero Hero
classroom.
The Principal’s office is fair game.
Make Watt Watcher clipboards- tape a
map of the patrol area to each one.
Tape instructions for each patrol on the
other side of the clipboard.
Keep all supplies in a copy paper box
decorated with light bulbs.
Laminate tickets- write “please return to
the Watt Watcher mailbox” on the backs.
Tie pencils to the clipboards.
Allow students to use extra class time to
color thank you notes.
Special occasions:
Have thank you days each month.
Announce your thank you list on the daily
announcements or at staff meetings.
We love (heart) to save- Februar y
message.
Have an energy watcher of the day for
each classroom- student wears a button
and is responsible for turning off the lights
all day.
Wear Watt Watcher hard hats.
Display graphs of your energy usage
and savings in prominent areas.
Do the Kick Off skit at the beginning of
the year and change it to reflect your
program at the end of the year.
12
Planning Patrol
Routes
The Roadmap to
Success
Sometimes new Watt Watchers sponsors Students at Anytown Elementary School (see
are a little intimidated by starting a brand map) have 42 classrooms to patrol plus six
new program that will involve the whole portables. If they field four pairs of students,
school. A frequent stumbling point is each pair will have about twelve classrooms
organizing the actual patrols throughout the each. They can complete their Watt
school. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Watching duties in about 5 minutes. The long
Thousands of other sponsors have started hallway on the left can be done by one pair
patrols in their schools. (even though it has 18 classrooms),
classrooms 13 through 20 and the cafeteria
One helpful tool to get you started may
and offices by a second pair, the bookroom
be posted on the wall at the end of your
and classrooms 21 through 30 can be
hallway. It is the fire exit plan. How convenient
assigned to the third pair, while the final pair
to have a map of all the rooms and hallways
can handle classrooms 31 through 36 plus the
in your school so readily available! Many
six portables.
schools are laid out in a “finger” pattern with
three or four long hallways that have Keeping patrols quick, easy, and organized
classrooms on both sides. A typical approach facilitates multiple patrols. Take a look at your
is to have two students go down each hallway school’s layout and plan your patrols. You can
checking on each side of the hall. This will map a plan for success for your Watt Watchers.
require only a couple of minutes, so it may
be possible for a pair of students to cover
two hallways or extra rooms and offices in

the area. Any area with lights represents

potential savings so be sure to include
portable classrooms, gyms, cafeterias, and
other rooms. Watt Watchers patrols are very
flexible. Schedule patrols to fit the conditions
at your school.
13
1 3
Map of Typical School

14
Secret Mission
Behind P ower Lines: W
Power att
Watt
Watchers Survey

W
att Watchers suggests making your
first patrol a secret. The secret
mission will allow you to see how
much the program is needed in your school.
On this mission you will be able to walk your
students through the program without passing
out the tickets or thank you notes; you will just
mark the patrol record. This will give you an
idea of which classrooms are going to need the
most help in remembering to turn the lights out!
The Secret Mission Behind Power Lines is one
patrol group what you are doing. Your operation
must be completely unknown to anyone outside
your group. Make sure that everyone in the
group understands that the idea is to check up
on everyone’s habits as they are now – before
they know what you know. That is, turning out
the lights in one empty classroom two hours
each day saves $50 over a 180- day school
year.
So your job is to go quietly through the hallways
without causing anyone to wonder just what you
are up to. By quietly checking for wasted
energy without fanfare, you can find out just
how important it is to turn off lights and
computer monitors when they
are not needed. T h e
best times to
check are
w h e n
classrooms

are likely to be
empty: before
s c h o o l ,
recess, lunch
periods and
after school.
Keep score for
the number
of empty
classrooms
of the lessons in the Knowledge is Power you find
curriculum. For TEKS/ TAKS information, and add
please go to our website, them up at
www.wattwatchers.org. the end of one week. What would the savings
be if you started a WW program and changed
Don’t tell anyone outside your class or 1 5 these teacher’s habits?
Watt W atchers
Watchers
Survey Instructions
Checking for energy waste in your school is very simple. All
you need is your patrol record, a pencil and a few quiet
students.

1. Take your materials and start your energy 4.
patrol. Your mission is to go to every
classroom in the school and check to see
if energy is being saved or wasted.
2. When you come to a classroom where
energy is being used but there is no one
in the room, then energy is being wasted.
Put an X on your patrol record form.
3.
When you come to a classroom where
energy is being used but there are people
in the room, then no energy is being
wasted. Put a on your check sheet.
When you come to a classroom where
energy is not being used and there is no
one in the room, then energy is being
saved. Put a 0 on your patrol record form.
5. After you have patrolled for a week your
group should start to publicize your
program. Send out memos to all teachers.
Make announcements and posters. Do
one of the skits or chants included in this
manual

16
Kicking Off the Year
Chants & Skits
After your first Secret Mission, you need to get the word out that the “Watt Watchers
are Coming”, as well as the particulars of your program and why this program is
important. Your group can do this through memos, posters or announcements, but
it is much more fun and more effective to announce these through skits and songs.
Your Watt Watchers patrol groups can perform at staff meetings, over the audio
announcements, or at school assemblies. They could even take them to a school
board meeting. The chants and songs included here work well with elementary
students and outgoing high school students. Any age group could do the skits.
They could sing their songs as they march into the lunchroom, or after school on
the way to the bus. Remember that a supportive staff is always the best way to have
a successful program.

The Classic Story of the Three Little Classrooms

Set and Cast:
Three “classrooms”- each with a chair, flashlight and a teacher. Classroom one has a few students
sitting on the floor around the chair. A few Watt Watchers on patrol (with lanyard or notebooks to
identify them). Narrator

Scene 1: Watt Watchers on patrol: The Watt Watchers

All the classrooms are full. The teachers are at
their chairs with their flashlights on. Narrator
explains the classrooms.
Narrator: “ Mrs. Straw is in her classroom teaching
her students about housing, Mrs. Sticks is in
her classroom grading papers, and Mrs.
Bricks is in her classroom calling parents.”
Mrs. Straw in classroom one: continues to
teach as the Watt Watchers come by.
Watt Watchers on patrol: The Watt Watchers
come to the first room. Seeing the students
learning they turn to the audience and say:
“Teacher is here, students are here, leave
the lights on. Place a check on the form-
no waste going on”
Scene 2:
Mrs. Sticks in classroom two stands up from her
chair and leaving her flashlight on, places it on
her chair pointing the light at the audience. She
leaves her room.
Narrator: “Mrs. Sticks leaves her classroom to go
to a meeting.”
17
turn back to the classrooms and go to
classroom number two. They see the light
on and look inside. Seeing no teacher,
they turn to the audience and gasp:
“Teacher is gone, lights are on, wasting
energy. Place an X on the form and leave
her a ticket. Teach her off, off, off”
Scene 3:
Mrs. Bricks in classroom three: Stands up from
her chair, turns off her flashlight and leaves
it on the chair. She leaves her classroom.
Narrator: “Mrs. Bricks leaves her classroom to go
speak with the counselors.”
Watt Watchers on patrol: The Watt Watchers
turn back to the classrooms and go to
classroom number three. They see the light
is off and look inside. Seeing no teacher
they turn to the audience and cheer:
“Teacher is gone, lights are off, saving
energy. Place a zero on the form and
leave her a thank you. Praise her off, off,
off.”
Narrator: “And this is the well known story of the
three little classrooms. Now, what happens
next…?”
 Doo
Doo--Watt-Diddy -Diddy
-Diddy--
att-Diddy-Diddy
(Sung to the tune “Doo-Wah-Diddy-Diddy,” but you probably knew that.)

There we were just a burnin’ up
the lamps,
Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
dumb, really dumb.
Using up voltage, and wasting up
those amps,
Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
dumb, really dumb.
We look bad (look bad). We not
smart (not smart)
We look bad, we not smart.
Everybody do their part.
Before we knew it, we were
saving energy.
Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
smart, really smart.
Saving the planet and a lot of
mo-ney.
Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
smart, really smart.
We look good (look good). We
look smart (look smart)
We look good. We look smart.
Everybody do their part.
(bridge)
We knew we were blowin’ a fuse
——
Yes we did, and so found some
ideas everybody can use.
Now we’re together, and we’re
doing what’s right.
Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
done, get it done.
Conservation makes us look – so
bright.
Singin’ Doo Watt Diddy Diddy,
done, get it done.
We look good (look good). We
look smart (look smart)
We look good. We look smart.
Everybody do their part.
Doo Watt Diddy Diddy done, get
it done. (We’re singin’)
Doo Watt Diddy Diddy done, get
it done. (Turn out the lights!)
Doo Watt Diddy Diddy done, get
it done.

Going on a Watt P
Watt atrol
Patrol
This is done as a chant- the children repeat after –line by line
Good Morning! Alone) (marching)
(Cup hands around mouth) And he says Over the jungle gym
What a beautiful day. (say very quietly and ominously) (climbing)
(stretch and yawn) “Thanks for the reminder Watt Down the slide
Today we join the Watt Watchers Watchers” (roller coaster arms)
(pat legs with hands) (say loud and cheerfully) Back down the long hall
We’re so excited! Chorus (hand to forehead- searching)
(raise arms- like yippee) We have to go to the gym now Right up to the big door
(Chorus:) (pat legs) (draw the door in the air)
We’re going on a Watt patrol We march across the Tip, toe, tip, toe, - peek in the
(pat legs with hands) playground door
We’ll see who left their light on (use arms like you are marching) (tip toe and peek around corner)
(pat legs with hands) Over the jungle gym The lights are on and nobody’s
We’ll see who turned their lights (climbing motions) here
off Down the slide (hands on hips, shake head)
(pat legs with hands) (Roller coaster arms – above We will leave the principal a
We must be very quiet head) ticket
(shhh- with finger to lips) The gym is dark- nobody’s here (hang on door)
We have to go down this long (Feel around in the dark- nod Uh oh- the principal is in there
hall head in approval) (Home Alone face)
(put hand above eyes and look We’ll leave them a thank you Working at her computer
a long way) note (make typing motions)
There are classes going on (pretend to leave note) And she says
(shhh- look right and left) Uh Oh- here comes the coach (quiet and ominous)
Tip, toe, tip, toe- peek in the door (Home Alone face) “ You’re wonder ful Watt
(make tip toe gesture and peek And he says Watchers. You are saving the
around a corner) (quiet and ominous) school a lot of money and
The lights are on, nobody’s here “Thanks Watt Watchers” helping us learn to be more
(hands on hips and shake (loud and cheerful) energy efficient. You are
head) Chorus helping to save the planet!”
We’ll leave them a ticket! Now we’re going to the office (principal says loud and
(pretend to hang ticket on door (Pat legs) cheerful) Yeah !!
while shaking head) Back across the playground
Uh Oh- here comes the teacher
(hands up to face- like in Home
18
T eacher s
T
eachers love Watt Watchers. There are Watchers program is a great addition to your
over 3,700 Watt energy unit. Going out into the school and
Watchers enrolled state-
wide in Texas. It is a very
popular program. There are “Saying no is
many reasons for this like turning your
enthusiasm. In case you are
back on the
among the teachers who
future. Every
haven’t heard about the
school has one
program or you are still sitting
teacher that
on the fence tr ying to
would love to be kits). More programs are
decide whether to become
a sponsor at your school – a Watt Watcher.
here is a little information to
Is it you?”
help you take the plunge.
We think every school should
be a Watt Watchers school.
Read these reasons sponsors
like the program and see if
you agree.
First things first. Watt Watchers saves your
school money by preventing energy waste
and raising awareness about energy
efficiency. Many Watt Watchers sponsors
enjoy knowing they are saving energy and
money while preventing pollution – it’s a
good feeling. Even more satisfying is
cultivating an ethic of energy conservation
in students who will apply it throughout their
lives.
But a close second is FUN. Watt Watchers
can be loads of fun. Tapping into the natural
enthusiasm of your students with a program
that includes a role reversal (students
reminding adults to save energy) is fun.
Students like going on patrol. Students like
giving out tickets (and thank-you notes).
Happy students make happy teachers.
Another reason is suitability. Watt Watchers
fits into what you are doing. The Watt
19
Wa t t
Wa t c h e r s
actually preventing energy
waste really makes the
connection for many
students. There are also
many benefits for Sponsors/
Teachers including
Knowledge is Power (lesson
plans) and Traveling Energy
Exploration Stations (loaner
supported to get your
students involved “beyond
Watt Watchers” such as —
Sleep Is Good and Junior
Solar Sprint.
Yet another reason is – it’s
easy. It is also free – the
State Energy Conservation
Office sponsors it to help schools save energy.
It is also very adaptable – a wide variety of
groups are doing Watt Watchers including:
3rd graders and high school seniors, at-risk
and gifted & talented students, and just
about any other group you can name. The
program is easy to start due to a complete
free kit with all materials you need. Watt
Watchers can also be expanded upon to
save even more energy at your school.
Here is another – support. Watt Watchers
supports you with a quarterly newspaper, a
monthly E-mail Update, Toll Free phone and
fax, a Website, and a CD-ROM with all the
program materials on it.
There are many more reasons Watt
Watchers love the program but there is no
reason NOT to do it. Saying no is like turning
your back on the future. Every school has
one teacher that would love to be a Watt
Watcher. Is it you?
Preserving
Your Kit
A
Watt Watchers kit contains about $25 Watt Watchers can not supply your
worth of materials not including program with the consumable supplies, like
postage. The notebooks, lanyards, forms, that are needed to keep the program
name tags, pencils, sample tickets, forms, active. We do provide you with a set of
and manual are all essential parts of a originals in the Watt Watchers manual to
successful program. The idea behind allow you to make copies as necessary. They
providing each school with a complete kit is are also available on our website and CD-
to make it easy to get started. A new Watt ROM.
Watchers sponsor can open up the kit and
The permanent parts of your kit are also
start the program in a matter of minutes.
the most expensive parts and these are the
Well, that works for this year but, what items important to preserve. We purchase
about next year and the year after that? Can lanyards and notebooks by the thousands
Watt Watchers send a new kit every year? since they are imprinted and are cheaper
Well, I suppose we could but it would defeat in quantity. If your notebooks/lanyards get
our overall mission which is to have Watt damaged or misplaced please let us know
Watchers active on every school campus in so that we can replace your kit.
Texas. On the other hand, Watt Watchers is
We can easily supply your program with
committed to supporting our current schools
new pencils and blank color nametags
because we want you to stay active and
each fall. We encourage you to give the
even expand your energy saving activities.
pencils and paper nametags to
So the simple answer is – we will supply as
participating students along with a certificate
many kits to everyone needing materials as
of appreciation at the end of the year.
we possibly can under our budget. Obviously
Please contact Watt Watchers with your
our ability to provide kits is limited but our goal
supply request and we will get them out to
is to keep as many current and future schools
you as soon as possible.
active in Watt Watchers as possible. So,
please tell us what you need and we will do If you move to a new school we hope that
our best to supply you. you will leave your Watt Watchers kit behind
with a new sponsor you recruit to fill your shoes
On the practical side, let’s discuss the
and enroll your new school too. We will be
options you have as a sponsor. Some of the
glad to send you a new kit. During the
materials in the kit are consumable and will
transition please help us to keep your records
have to be replaced by your school as they
straight. We want to accurately account
are used. Examples of these are tickets and
for each active Watt Watchers school. Good
forms. Other materials are meant to be
records will allow us to communicate with
permanent parts of your kit. Examples of these
sponsors so that everyone is aware of the
are notebooks, lanyards, and name badge
most up to date Watt Watchers information.
holders. Still other items in your kit fall between
these two extremes. Examples of these are
pencils and name tags.

20
Are You Changing
Schools?
I
f you are a Watt Watchers sponsor and are
planning a move to a new school, please
So please remember to contact us with
let us know where you are moving.
the updates and contact changes… good
Updating your information will ensure that
records will not only allow us to
upcoming Watt Watchers materials will follow
communicate with sponsors better, it will help
you. We hope you will recruit a new teacher
keep you on the list for the five-year Watt
to replace you at your old school, then
Watchers lapel pin. Good records also help
contact Watt Watchers so we can welcome
to keep funding in place for Watt Watchers
our new sponsor and make sure he or she
so we can continue to provide kits, quarterly
has all the materials needed to continue the
newspapers, toll free phone support and the
successful Watt Watchers program that you
website.
started. We will be glad to send you a new
kit at your new school.

21
Explanation
to
your Teachersand Faculty
The following letter is an example of one that can be placed in mailboxes of your
staff, posted in a workroom or read at a faculty meeting. Please modify to fit your
school’s procedures. The purpose is to inform all members of your school about
the Watt Watchers of Texas program and the procedures for your school. Remember
that to have a successful program, you need the support of your faculty and
administration.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Watt Watchers of Texas will be coming soon to a classroom near you! Student
patrol groups will be auditing the school for energy waste in the form of building
lights. If students find lights on in empty rooms they will be leaving “tickets.”
They will leave thank you notes where their recorded data shows consistent energy
efficiency (you have turned off your lights when you leave your classroom). The
focus of the program is on saving energy costs in the school and increasing student
awareness of energy issues. In a typical Texas school, lighting alone can account
for 1/3 of the entire utility bill! Watt Watchers of Texas has assisted hundreds of
schools in reducing this cost. Watt Watcher energy patrols have saved participating
schools around the nation from hundreds to thousands of dollars in energy costs
each year.

The Watt Watchers program is a proven method of teaching energy efficient

habits while reducing school electric bills. Our energy future depends on decisions
students will make about energy use; Watt Watchers gives them the opportunity to
make a difference now by “doing something” for their school. These same students
of ten show increased self-esteem, leadership and responsibility back in their
classrooms.

The students will be patrolling during first lunch and after recess. They will not
enter your classroom or disturb classes already in session. The official Watt Watchers
for that day will be wearing name badges and lanyards to identify them as such.
They will leave their tickets on your door as a reminder to you to turn off your
lights when you leave your room. Please return these to my box to be reused.
Each month our energy use will be graphed outside room 104. Hopefully, this will
show that our energy use is going down. The Watt Watcher students will give an
end of the year presentation to the School Board and awards to the classrooms that
showed consistent energy efficiency. There will also be an award for the classroom
that showed the most improvement.
Thank you for your cooperation,

Amy Neblett
Watt Watchers Sponsor
Bayou Elementary
22
Sample
Announcements
Your Watt Watchers of Texas patrol groups are doing a great service to the school.
Promote these facts to your whole school through announcements. Publicly thank
teachers who have shown consistent energy efficiency. Announce any extra projects
you may be adding to your watch, like those found in the Extend and Expand sections
of this manual. You could even give a general location of the school that needs
some extra help remembering to turn off their lights.

Sample 1:
Did you know that our school electricity
bill is thousands of dollars each month?
After we started the Watt Watchers
patrols, our bill went down by 10%
each month (get your actual costs from
your energy manager). Over a year,
that could pay for all new playground
equipment. Would you like to pay
more electric bills or have more
swings? Please remember to turn off
the lights in the classroom when you
leave.
Sample 2:
The Watt Watchers of Texas patrol
groups have been patrolling our
school for two months. We would like
to thank Mrs. Wood in room 227 and
Mr. Thomas in room 112 for always
turning their lights off when they leave
the classroom. Keep up the good
work.
Sample 3:
The Watt Watchers of Texas patrol groups
will be adding outside doors to our patrols
this week. We will be checking to make
sure all doors to the outside are closed so
we don’t air condition the playground.
Please make sure you close the door
behind you when you enter the building
or go to the portables. We will be placing
signs on the doors as a reminder to you
as well.
Sample 4:
The Watt Watchers of Texas patrol groups
have noticed that certain areas of the
building are having trouble remembering
to turn their lights off when they leave the
classroom. Could all students help the
second floor of the North wing remember?
Remember that there will be an award at
the end of the year for the classroom that
makes the most improvement.

23
2 3
Sample Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: LOCAL CONTACT:

Kirstin Wilsey Amy Neblett
Program Coordinator 123-555-1234
1-888-USWATTS (toll free) amyneblett@buisd.k12
info@wattwatchers.org

The Bayou Vista Independent School District is implementing

a new energy education program at Bayou Elementary School.
They introduced the Watt Watchers of Texas program on March
17, 2005. This program enables schools to save energy dollars
while students learn energy saving habits.

Students chosen to be a part of Watt Watchers of Texas patrol

assigned areas of the school, checking for lights left on in
unused areas. The Watt Watchers leave “tickets” for energy
wasters and may leave thank you notes where their recorded
data shows consistent energy efficiency.

The students actively promote energy efficiency, learn new

habits and teach others about energy conservation.

In a typical Texas school, lighting accounts for 1/3 of energy

use. Watt Watchers of Texas has assisted many schools across
Texas in reducing electric bills.

This program is funded by the Texas Comptroller of Public

Accounts, State Energy Conservation Office and the U.S.
Department of Energy.

24
 Going
Further

25
Extend Your Watt
Watchers P rogram
Now that you have the basic Watt Watchers program down, you may want to add
extra duties. These duties can be very simple, but can make a significant impact on
your school’s energy usage.

Closing Doors- when the doors to the building are open, all the air conditioning or
heat is leaving. Have students close outside doors as they patrol. Even better is to
make signs for those outside doors saying, “Students monitoring energy use in building.
Please close door.” This serves as a reminder and advertising for your project.

26
 Computer Monitors-
Monitors use 60-90 watts of
power when they are on-
whether they are being used
or not. When the monitor is in
sleep mode (see Monitor
Power Audit project in this
manual) the monitor only uses
2-10 watts of power. Students
could turn off monitors of
computers that are not in use.
They could go further and
place reminder signs on all
monitors.

Restrooms- Students can

make a quick tour of the
restrooms and report any
problems such as dripping
faucets or running toilets to
the custodians.

27
Expand Your Watt
Watchers P rogram
Watt watchers of Texas has many programs to offer you. A brief summary of each
is listed below. For more information on these projects, see the that’s not all
y’all section of this manual or our website at www.wattwatchers.org.

Knowledge is Power Traveling Energy

Curriculum Supplement
The Knowledge is Power Curriculum
Supplement is a great curriculum
enhancement put together by Watt
Watchers of Texas. These lessons are
designed to help add energy efficiency
concepts to your energy unit. We
sometimes forget that if we all reduce our
energy waste, we would reduce our
overall power consumption, and our
reward will be lower energy costs and a
cleaner environment. Knowledge is
Power is a K-12 set of lesson plans. This
supplement incorporates reading, math,
science, language arts and writing into
most of the lessons, so don’t pass up the
chance to get plugged in if you
teach something other
than science!
Exploration Stations
Traveling Energy Exploration Stations
(similar to a discovery box) are available
for teachers to check out and use in their
classrooms for FREE! Use it in your
classroom for two weeks, call us when
you are finished, and we will arrange to
have it picked back up at our cost. These
stations include a wide variety of
materials that can be used by the
teacher or as a center for the students.
All stations are equipped with an
Educator ’s Guide to explain all the
components and how to use them in your
classroom and correlated to the TEKS. We
currently have electricity, solar cooking,
Junior Solar Sprint, energy
efficiency, and renewable
energy stations available.

2
288
 Real P rojects in the Real W
Projects orld with Real Results
World
Handbook
A listing of projects big and small geared at high school groups. A few of the projects that
could help your Watt Watchers basic program are listed below.

Lighting Audit Vending Machine A udit

This project will allow you to determine the
savings that a school would realize if they
switched from their old lighting system to a
new, more efficient lighting system. It could
also encourage them to start Watt
Watchers of Texas at other schools.
Audit
A vending machine is basically a
refrigerator that takes your money. In
exchange for your money, it’s supposed
to provide cold drinks. The big difference
is that when a refrigerator door is closed,
the light is supposed to go off. In this case
though, the light stays on 24 hours a day
and can cost over $140 per year. This is
money your school is paying (they pay the
electric bill) to advertise for the vending
machine. Talk to your principals about
turning off the light in the machines.

29
Exit Sign Audit
There are an estimated 100 million exit
signs in the United States consuming
between 30 and 35 BILLION kWh of
energy each year. Most use
incandescent bulbs, which use large
amounts of energy and require more
maintenance. The typical exit sign with
incandescent bulbs uses 2 - 20 watt
bulbs. The signs are lit 24 hours a day
and 365 days a year.
Each sign can cost
over $76 per year to
run and maintain.
There are other
options for these
signs that could be
suggested to your
administration.

Energy Encounter
An Energy Encounter is a one-day
event to provide lots of information,
ideas and excitement about energy
projects for students, teachers, and
administrators. Groups from several
schools in a district or region come
together for fun, learning and
motivation. Check the Real Projects
Handbook or call the Watt Watchers
office (1-888-USWATTS) for more
information.

30
Sleep is Good Junior Solar Sprint
By implementing a monitor power
The Junior Solar Sprint program invites
management program on your
middle school students to design,
computer you can save $20 per year
build and race solar cars. The small
and lots of energy. Screen savers do
model cars are powered entirely by
not save energy; they only save your
solar energy, steered by wires and
screen. This program can be
are a team effort that is guided by
downloaded from the website
teachers. Students are encouraged
(www.wattwatchers.org) and placed
to use math and science principles
on the school’s computers district wide
together with their creativity in a fun,
or on each individual computer.
challenging program that stimulates
District Energy Council enthusiasm for science at a critical
District Energy Council was created to stage in their education.
organize students to assist the district
energy manager. Capable students
from each high school in a district form
a committee or council led by the
energy manager. The council identifies
and undertakes projects that help the
district realize its goals of energy
efficiency.

31
Mentor a Feeder
School
Watt Watchers of Texas wants your help in getting all the schools in your district
watching watts! The best way for everyone to eliminate energy waste in their school
district is to make sure that the schools that feed into your school are busy watching
watts. It is simple, free and fun for high school students to go to the middle schools
and elementary schools in your district and share the message about Watt Watchers,
take the students on their first patrol and then check up on them from time to time to
make sure they are giving out tickets to those energy wasters and thanking the Zero
Heroes in their schools.

Follow these 5 simple steps to get your

feeder schools started today:
1. Contact a teacher – did you have a 3. Set up a time to meet the new Watt
favorite teacher in the elementary school Watchers –coordinate a time with the new
and middle school that you went to before Watt Watchers of Texas sponsor when you
coming to your high school? Is that teacher can go to the feeder school and teach
still teaching at that school? Or is there a the students about the new program. Help
science club or other organization in the them come up with ways to teach the
middle or elementary school that is other students, teachers and
interested in doing energy projects? administrators about this new program at
Contact that teacher; inform him or her their school. One great idea is to do a skit
about the Watt Watchers of Texas program. about the program during an assembly -
2. Contact Watt Watchers this allows everyone to learn about the
for a kit – the kits program, have fun and be excited about
are free and every the energy saving program that is starting
school that at the school.
participates in Watt 4. Go on patrol - be there to take the
Watchers needs to younger students on their first Watt
have a complete Watchers patrol. Help them design their
kit. Call or email us route and make sure they are marking their
and we will ship a charts and giving out tickets and thank you
kit for each school notes. Remind the students to keep the
where you are charts in a file so that they can award the
implementing a Zero Hero Award at the end of the school
program. year to the teacher that wasted the least
amount of energy!
5. Stay in touch – it is very important that
you contact the feeder school to make
sure that their program is running smoothly
and answer any questions they might
have. Watt Watchers would also like to
know how you and your mentoring schools
are doing so please send us an update
on your program!

32
3 2
Forms

33
 Watt Watchers
Agreement
As a Watt Watchers Team Member I Will:
1. Be on time for Watt Watchers Patrol
2. Gather badge, notebook, patrol records, pencil and tickets.
3. Pick up Thank You notes if it is a “Thank You” day.
4. Patrol the assigned areas quickly and quietly, and record my findings
on a patrol record sheet.
5. Leave tickets in rooms where lights are on and nobody is home.
6. Return supplies to the proper place after the patrols are completed.
7. Report problems to my advisor, if necessary.

I, , understand the Watt Watchers

Agreement. I can take responsibility for being a Watt Watcher and will
follow all Watt Watcher procedures correctly. I pledge that I will do
what I can to conserve natural resources and protect my environment.

Watt Watcher Signature Date

Advisor Signature Date

Watt Watchers of Texas

The Energy Center P.O. Box 68660
El Paso, Texas 79968
Phone toll free: 1-888 US WATTS
Fax: 915/747-5317
e-mail: info@wattwatchers.org

34
Checksheet Guide
The Patrol Record- Explained

MONTH: Use one patrol record for each

month (as well as one for each area). If
you have 4 areas of the school, you will
have four patrol record forms each month.
It helps younger students to write the date
above the day of the week. MONTHL
MONTHLY Y
TOT ALS: Add the
TOTALS:
ROOM: The room 3, O, 7 across the
numbers or names month for each
the students are room. This
assigned to. information should
Highlighting the be used for thank
assigned area on a you note
map then taping it distribution and
to a clipboard the calculating the
students take with Zero Hero.
them is helpful.

D AIL
AILY Y TOT ALS:
TOTALS:
Add the 3, O, 7
down each
column. This daily
information gives
you an idea of
times of day when
energy RECORD KEY KEY::
conservation is The key to the 3,
good and times O, 7 system is
that need more listed at the bottom
concentration. of the patrol
record for quick
reference.

TIME: There are NAME: The

six time codes listed names of the
at the bottom of the students assigned
patrol record. You to the patrol
may want to come record.
up with time codes
of your own.
35
 Month: Watt Watchers Patrol Record
Watchers Patrol T O TA L S
Room Time M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F 0 
Checksheet-Landscape

36

0

daily totals

T ime Codes: Name: Record K ey:
Key:
BS 2L=2nd Lunch
BS=Before School 2L =Lights on/in use
AR =AM Recess PR =PM Recess 0 =No energy in use
1L =1st Lunch AS =After School  =Energy in use/no people
 Checksheet-Portrait

Month: Watt Watchers P

Watchers atrol Record T O T A L S
Patrol
Room Time M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F M T W T F 0 


daily totals

0

Time Codes: Name: Record Key:
2L=2nd Lunch
BS=Before School 2L
BS
 =Lights on/in use
AR =AM Recess PR =PM Recess
37 0 =No energy in use
1L =1st Lunch AS =After School
 =Energy in use/no people
Sample Tickets

A note from Watt Watchers:

Next time!
It’s
LOOK!!
For Wasted Energy TO SAVE ENERGY!!!
Lights out when you’re out! A Note from Watt Watchers

A Watt Watchers The lights are on...

Reminder
o t!! Watt Watchers say!

h N For
o ! g
O
Y o u to
e of f!!!
tim em
If you would just turn
out the lights, you would put ’s
It rn th
a smile on my face tu
A Watt Watcher Watt Watchers say:


Next time Always turn out the lights

turn out the lights!!! 38
when you leave the room!
 Sample Thank You Notes

A N K
H
T OU!! AT C HING

A+
W
W ATT
E FOR
R AD
FOR G
REMEMBERING TO TURN
OFF YOUR LIGHTS!!
THIS ROOM IS FIRST RATE ! H
! OO
K S R
A N AY
THANKS T H !!
FOR
SAVING
WATT WATCHERS APPLAUD
WATT WATCHERS YOU FOR SAVING ENERGY

SAVING WATT WATCHER

ENERGY IS...

TURNING OUT THE LIGHTS

Thanks-Watt Watchers 39
SAVES ENERGY THANKS!
Door Hanger Sample (3 up)

Thank You
for
 Saving
Energy
and
Making Our
World a
Brighter
Place
40
Blank Door Hanger Template (2 up)

41
 Blank ticket/Thank You (6 up)

42
WW Name Tags


43
 Dear Faculty and Staff,

Watt Watchers of Texas will be coming soon to a classroom near you! Student
patrol groups will be auditing the school for energy waste in lighting and other
areas. If students find lights on in empty rooms they will be leaving “tickets.”
They will leave thank you notes where their recorded data shows consistent
energy efficiency (you have turned off your lights when you leave your classroom).
The focus of the program is on saving energy costs in the school and increasing
student awareness of energy issues. In a typical Texas school, lighting alone can
account for 1/3 of the entire utility bill! Watt Watchers of Texas has assisted
hundreds of schools in reducing this cost. Watt Watchers energy patrols have
saved participating schools around the nation from hundreds to thousands of
dollars in energy costs each year.

The Watt Watchers program is a proven method of teaching energy efficient

habits while reducing school electric bills. Our energy future depends on decisions
students will make about energy use; Watt Watchers gives them the opportunity
to make a difference now by “doing something” for their school. These same
students often show increased self-esteem, leadership and responsibility back in
their classrooms.

The students will be patrolling _____________________________________. They

will not enter your classroom, or disturb classes already in session. The official
Watt Watchers for that day will be wearing name badges and lanyards to identify
them as such. They will leave their tickets on your door as a reminder to you to
turn off your lights when you leave your room. Please return these
________________________ to be reused. Each month our energy use will be graphed
___________________________. Hopefully, this will show that our energy use is
going down. The Watt Watchers students will give an end of the year presentation
to the School Board and awards to the classrooms that showed consistent energy
efficiency. There will also be an award for the classroom that showed the most
improvement.

Thank you for your cooperation,

__________________________
Watt Watchers Sponsor

___________________________

44
Sponsor
Insight

45
T eachers:
Recharge Your Patrol!
Back to School means the meters are running at your school. You can slow them
down by turning off lights and other energy wasting items. It’s time to get your
energy patrols back out into the school saving energy and money for another
year. If you are wondering how to get your students energized for a new year of
patrols or are worried about getting your fellow teachers back into the routine
of turning the lights out when they leave the room, we have some keys to help your
Watt Watchers Patrols have a successful year by getting off to the right start.

Educate Your T
Your eachers
Teachers
1. Consider starting your program in stealth your school participated in that small
mode. See the activity page in this effort with huge results!
manual for more information on 4. Provide your teachers with the
how to go undercover with “Knowledge is Power ”
your patrols. Curriculum Supplement.
2. Have the students 5. Share information
present the about checking out
program to the the Traveling Energy
teachers during Exploration
a conference Stations. Watt
p e r i o d .
Watchers of
Students love
Texas now has 5
teaching
teachers different stations
about things – Electricity, Solar
they are Cooking, Energy
involved in— Efficiency
give your Renewable
students the Energy, and Junior
opportunity to Solar Sprint. They have
jump start your new all been updated this
teachers. Let them summer, so if you
know that Zero Hero checked them out last
Awards will be given at the year you need to see the great
end of the year – teachers love a good things we added to them this summer.
competition!
3. Give them each a “$50” bill –
go to the Watt Watchers of Texas
website, wattwatchers.org, and
download the $50 bill that
explains if you turn your
classroom lights out for 2 hours a
day for 1 school year you will
save your district $50. Think
about the impact if every classroom in
46
Educate Your Students
Your
1. Train your new students. You most likely 5. Encourage the students to take their new
have a new group of students to go on energy savings attitude home and share
patrol this year, so you need to teach the information with their parents. Energy
them about the program and how efficiency is the key to our energy future.
important it is to reduce the energy waste It starts with everyone making a change.
in your school. Take them on their first Watt Watchers of Texas sponsors, we want
patrol so that you can show them the you to have all the materials you need to be
ropes. successful. If your kit is worn or you need
2. Have the students that will be patrolling more tickets or if you don’t have some of the
do a presentation for the student body information referred to in this article, please
at your school during lunch. It is contact Watt Watchers of Texas toll free at
important for everyone in the school to 1-888-USWATTS or by email at
know that your school is actively info@wattwatchers.org and new supplies will
reducing energy waste and air pollution. be shipped to you.
3. Make announcements over the PA
Remember, we are here to support your
system the first few weeks of your
efforts as a Watt Watchers Sponsor. Contact
patrolling to remind staff to turn off
us if we can assist you in recharging your
unused electrical items. You might also
patrols.
consider announcing the cost of
electricity at your school each month
and the savings that you have accrued.
4. Display posters in your halls about
energy efficiency.
Watt Watchers
includes 2
posters in every
issue of the Watts
News
Newspaper.
Take the

*
posters out turn out
and unused
laminate lights
them –
Save
*
they make
great energy
decorations —
save
and teach
students and
teachers
* money
prevent
about the
many
programs we
* pollution

have to
offer.

47
WW Reflections Article Submitted by: Eileen Berkowitz, Watt Watchers
of Texas Sponsor for Colonial Hills Elementary School in
North East Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas

W
hen I first began sponsoring the Watt would patrol but also oversee the paired
Watcher/Watteam patrols in the early patrols.
90’s I had a twofold purpose. Of
I divided the school campus into patrol
course I wanted to teach conservation of
areas. All three campuses at which I
resources to the students, but I also decided
sponsored the Watt Watcher Patrols contained
to target a relatively untouched population.
a main building, attached outer buildings,
Many students were not even aware that they
and/or portables. The portables always
could “save electricity” both in their homes
provided the greatest challenge! The students
and at school. It was not something that
were taught they were NEVER to disturb a class,
families were automatically teaching their
so that classrooms in the portables whose
children. During the years many students have
blinds were closed could not be assigned the
reported behavioral changes in themselves
“X”, “0” or “check”. I created a “new symbol”
and their families—in school and at home!
so that the student would be able to complete
I intentionally targeted a certain population his/her patrol without interrupting the learning
from which to build the Watt Watcher Patrol. in that room and yet feel that they were
With the approval of the principal, I sent a letter completing their job. In addition I rotated the
to the homeroom teachers explaining the patrols monthly so that different students
purpose of the Watt Watcher Patrol. I asked patrolled the “portables area.”
them to nominate two students (preferably a
There was mixed reaction to the “notes” we
boy and a girl). I asked them to think of all
would periodically tape outside the rooms.
their students—and then choose their two
Some teachers were pleased, good-natured,
nominees from the “silent majority”. I specified
while others took the notes negatively. After a
that the nominees should not be at either end
while, we stopped giving both the “Thanks a
of any spectrum (academic, social,
Watt” and “Oops!” notes entirely. The cessation
behavioral, etc). I was targeting those students
of the notes also elicited both positive and
who faithfully attended school, but did not
negative reactions!
stand out in any way.
Retrospectively, I do feel that the patrols
My Watt Watcher patrols mainly were
were successful for many reasons. I am
composed of students who were not receiving
particularly pleased that I chose to structure
any special help academically, were not gifted
them as I did. A number of those students
and talented, were not elected to Student
became more involved in their middle and
Council, nor Safety Patrol. For most of them
high schools. The teachers’ awareness of
this was their first opportunity to be chosen for
saving electricity was heightened.
anything! Many, many times teachers reported
that those students showed improvement in the The support I received from the various
class—most noticeably in their attitude and level “governing bodies” was wonderful! Always
of responsibility. positive and supportive, they provided us with
the materials we needed. When funding was
For a number of reasons I chose to pair
withdrawn they continued to support us
students to patrol together. I paired first and
emotionally. I very much enjoyed sponsoring
third graders, second and fourth graders. The
those early Watt Watcher/Watteam patrols.
fifth graders were “captains” and not only
48
Quotes

T
eachers and students love the Watt
Watchers of Texas program. The
following are quotes from current Watt
Watcher schools on how the program fits in “The life skills students of Lincoln Junior
their community. High love their job as Watt Watchers and
always want to do it. We as Student
Council members are so glad that the
”Our Watt Watcher Patrol of eight fifth life skills class helps us out with some of
grade students used our language arts our projects. The student council is also
block to write explanations of the happy that they love their job and are
program for all the classes in our doing such a great job at it.”
building. Each student has a grade
Ashley W., student, Lincoln Junior High,
level to patrol.
Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD
Sandi Rockne, teacher, Southridge Elementary
School, Lewisville, Texas

“Teachers do not like getting “tickets”

and keep their lights off.”
“I think the savings of last year will
Mary Lea Pfenninger, teacher, Goliad
probably double this year, if for no other
Elementary School
reason than we will have a full year
participation from all our participant
schools…I don’t know what we would
have done without the Watt Watcher “Concentrate your education on the
program. Everything is working out teachers who at first are unwilling to
really great. With our utilities accounting participate.”
program, we are able to track real
savings back to Watt Watcher activities. Dwight Mutschler, Austwell- Tivoli
Everyone gets credit for these savings”
David Furr, Salem Keizer Public Schools in
Salem, Oregon “Get a good group of students and
Saved $158,432 from July 2002 to June allow them time every day to do their
2003 job”
Margaret Grice, Ault Elementary

“What you are doing here is ver y

significant. You are really protecting the
future for future generations. We just
need to let you be the role model and “Don’t over control- let the students take
the pace setter for the rest of the state.” the lead”
Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Robert Babb, JT Hutchinson JHS
former State Comptroller,
about Hutchinson JHS in Central Lubbock ISD

49
Notes

50
 Celebrate
Your Success

51
Recognizing Energy
Champions
M Most Improved Award
ay arrives in schools with a rush of
tests and locker clean-outs, but we
The classroom that made the most
need to remember to praise those
improvement deserves to be recognized as
teachers who have faithfully been conserving
well. These students (and teachers) learned
energy and the ones that learned something
the most this year. Prizes for these students
along the way.
could also include Watt Watchers stickers or
Depending on your school, you may want pencils.
to have a school wide assembly, an after
school event or just an award ceremony in Five Year L
Year apel Pins
Lapel
your classroom. If you are hosting a school
wide affair, your Watt Watchers may want to
re-write the skit they performed at the kick off
program to show how the year went.
We have many awards you can give out,
all of which are summarized below. Master
copies of some of these awards are
available on our website
(www.wattwatchers.org) and on the CD-
ROM. The others are available by calling
the office at 1-888-USWATTS.

Certificate of Watt Watchers are loyal. Teachers tend

Achievement
This certificate is given to every student
that participated in the Watt Watchers of
Texas program. The certificates are signed
by the State Comptroller. These certificates
must be ordered from our office. You may
also want to give each student a pencil or
sticker.
Zero Hero Award
The Zero Hero award goes to the classroom
that remembered to turn out their lights more
than any other. Remember that on the patrol
record form, the students mark a zero if the
lights are off in a classroom. Depending on
the size of your school, you may want to have
the Top Ten Zero Hero’s List and give the
number one classroom an extra prize-
pencils, posters, or a book on energy
conservation for their classroom.
52
to stick with the program after they try it. Watt
Watchers are dedicated. They believe in
what they are doing. That is why there are
over 950 teachers across Texas who have
been consistently helping to save energy,
save money, and prevent pollution for five
years or more.
Watt Watchers of Texas established the 5
Year Pin program to recognize these unsung
heroes. The lapel pins are simply the Watt
Watchers light bulb logo with the pattern of
the TX flag on them. After being a Watt
Watchers of Texas Sponsor for five years, you
will have saved thousands of dollars for your
school district. You will have prevented tons
of pollution from entering our atmosphere.
And, you will have educated dozens of
students about caring for their world. Not to
mention changing the habits and attitudes
of fellow teachers and administrators. Those
are heroic actions.
53
54
55
56
It Works!

57
The $50 Bill

Y
ou are going to get a fifty dollar bill. It
may be yours to keep or it may be yours
to pay. Here’s why. The fluorescent lights
in a typical Texas classroom cost about $25
to keep lit over an 180 day school year for
each hour of the day.
If a teacher remembers to turn out the lights
on the way out of the classroom at lunch and
after school – the district gets a $50 bill. That’s
good, it means an extra $50 is in the budget
that wasn’t paid to the utility company. You
get to keep this bill. Maybe it will buy a new
book for your library.
If a teacher forgets to turn out the lights on
the way out of the classroom at lunch and
after school – the district pays a $50 bill.
That’s bad; it means less money to operate
and improve your school. Your taxes will be
used to pay the utility company. Sorry, no
new book for your library.
So, as you can see, the bill is yours to keep
or yours to pay. The choice is definitely yours.
And, those choices add up. If twenty
teachers at your school change their habits
– that would mean an extra $1,000 per year
your school would save. What could you do
with 20 fifty dollar bills?
Start a Watt Watchers program at your
school and stop wasting energy. Act now
so you will get the right kind of bill because,
one way or another, you are going to get a
fifty dollar bill.

58
 How Much is Energy
Awareness Worth?
W
att Watchers is about getting people program had about a 4% lower annual
to think. Your role as a Watt Watcher energy use than those schools that did not.
is to get everyone in your school to On average, this saved $0.095 +0.055 per
consider energy in their everyday life. If square foot per year. We estimate that the
everyone is aware of the consequences of average energy awareness program can
using energy they will be more careful how save a typical facility $5,000 - $12,000 in
they use it. There is value in knowing that annual operating costs.” Florida Solar
leaving the fluorescent lights on in a Energy Center
classroom costs money and creates Implement Watt Watchers at your school
pollution. Think about this -if half of the 2.7 and document the savings. Contact Watt
million teachers in the U.S. turned out their Watchers at 1-888-US WATTS (879-2887) or
classroom lights on the way to lunch it would by e-mail at info@wattwatchers.org and we
save $34 Million dollars every year. If energy will help you figure out how much your Watt
is not considered it will be wasted. Watchers program is saving for your school
But what do the experts say about the district.
actual value of getting everyone to think
about energy? Can a dollar figure be
attached to Energy Awareness? Yes. It
makes common sense that if energy
is not considered it will be wasted
and that if people stop and think
they will save energy. Here’s what
a couple of sources have to say
on the subject:
“Simple behavior changes
alone save some $7,000 per
school. That’s a lot of bake
sales.” Alliance to Save
Energy (ASE) President, David
Nemtzow.
“Many schools and districts
around Florida now administer
energy awareness programs to
reduce their energy consumption
through more vigilant operation of
controls and improved operation
and maintenance practices. Our
analysis indicated that these
programs have a small, but
statistically significant impact on
energy use. Schools which had such a
59
The $20 Bill
you can save $20 per monitor each year...

If all of the estimated 1.2 million computer monitors

in Texas schools were enabled for monitor power
management, Texas would save...

$ 20
million
dollars
every year

A
re the computers in your school wasting
energy? Screen savers DO NOT save
energy! A typical monitor uses 60-90
watts. While in sleep mode a monitor uses
only 2-10 watts. Why waste energy when no
one is using your school computers? You can
help your school save energy, save money,
and prevent pollution by implementing
computer monitor power management. Just
put your school’s computer monitors to sleep
after ten minutes of inactivity. You can use
free Energy StarÒ software to capture
savings at individual computers or utilize your
network to put all monitors to sleep at once.
Sleep is Good. Contact Watt Watchers of
Texas for details.

Click on the PC
Power Management
link at the Watt
Watchers website

60
Comptroller Strayhorn
Visits JT Hutchinson JHS
By Bryan Williams, Lubbock Avalanche Journa (Spring 2003)
W
hen someone says “lights out” at
Hutchinson Junior High, it’s for a
good reason.
On Friday, the Central Lubbock School’s
conservation efforts attracted the attention
of State Comptroller Carole Keeton
Strayhorn, a person with passions for
education and for saving money.
Strayhorn helped recognize students for
their energy-saving efforts.
The school is involved in Watt Watchers,
a program encouraging students and staff
to turn off lights and computers in rooms
that aren’t being used.
The 800-student school has cut its utility
costs about 12 percent, which is estimated
to save $6,000 for the school year, said
Hutchinson Principal Mike Bustillos.
“There’s a lot of money spent on utilities
overall,” Bustillos said. “If we don’t make a
conservation effort, it’s easy for things to be
left on unnecessarily.”
The school also has a paper recycling
program and has increased use of
paperless communications. Bustillos said
Hutchinson has 70 percent of its allotment
for paper and copier use remaining with
less than half the school year left.
He said the efforts are squeezing more
out of a tight education dollar.
Strayhorn, a former schoolteacher, is a
strong proponent of belt-tightening.
With the state facing an almost $10
billion projected shortfall, Strayhorn has
61
recommended to legislators $3.7 billion in
savings, including $1.7 billion in state
general revenue funds for the upcoming
two-year budget. Texas’ budget must be
balanced, according to the state
constitution.
Suggestions include increasing health-
care costs to state employees, having Texas
join a multistate lottery, merging the Texas
Railroad Commission and the Public Utility
Commission, postponing a Medicaid
registration rule and having private
companies operate a lodge in the Davis
Mountains and a tourist railroad in East
Texas, both overseen by the Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department.
Strayhorn said more education dollars
should go directly into the classroom.
“What you are doing here is ver y
significant,” Strayhorn said Friday at
Hutchinson. “You are really protecting the
future for future generations. We just need to
let you be the role model and the pacesetter
for the rest of the state.”
Watt Watchers is a state-sponsored
program to help school districts save energy
funds, primarily by having students look for
energy waste in the halls and classrooms,
especially with lights being left on.
Strayhorn said the 2001 Legislature left 75
percent of Strayhorn’s cost-saving
recommendations on the table; however,
she said she believes lawmakers this time
around will be more receptive to cost-saving
advice from her and others.
Hays Saves with District energy
savings exceed
Watt Watchers $260,000

O n November 16, 2004 the Hays

Consolidated Independent School
campuses. “As an incentive to the campuses
for participating, we give them 10 percent
Districts issued the following press of what they save,” he said. Campuses
release detailing the more than $260,000 received checks ranging from $300 to
in energy reduction savings for their district. $11,000. “This is no small task,” said
The efforts at HCISD are tremendous and in Joe Graham, member of the
the upcoming issues of Watts News, the Watt School Board. “The
Watchers staff will bring you more details on campuses deserve
the efforts at HCISD. every bit of
The Hays CISD Board of
Trustees learned on
Monday that efforts
by campuses to
reduce and
manage energy
consumption
have resulted in acknowledgement.
savings of more We certainly
than $260,000 appreciate their
in the district efforts.”
electric bill. “We
saved $260,000
at our existing
campuses, after
absorbing two
rate increases,”
said Carter
Scherff, Hays
CISD Chief
Financial
Officer. Scherff We saved $260,000 at
attributed the
savings to two our existing campuses, after
primar y initiatives: The Watt Watchers
program, which provides educational absorbing two rate increases...
information for elementary and middle
school students about energy and provides
Carter Scherff
incentives for them to watch energy usage Hays CISD Chief Financial Officer
at their school; and regulated, scheduled
temperature and humidity levels at the

62
Watt Watchers Saves
$3,600 Per Campus
U sing Watt Watchers, Salem Keizer Public
Schools in Salem, Oregon saved just
under $159,000 in energy usage and
utility costs from July 2002 through June 2003.
School officials are expecting to significantly
increase the savings for the 2003/2004
school year.
“I think the savings of last year will probably
double this year, if for no other reason than we
will have full-year participation from all of our
participant schools…I don’t know what we
would have done without the Watt Watchers
program. Everything is working out really great.
With our utilities accounting program, we are
able to track real savings back to Watt Watchers
activities. Everyone gets credit for these
savings.”-David Furr
63
How wonderful it would be if every school in
Texas could save that much, too! Salem Keizer
saved $158,432 by implementing Watt
Watchers in forty-four of their schools. According
to Utility Coordinator David Furr and Utilities
Conservation Specialist Kathleen Hill, forty-four
schools, more than half, enrolled in the program
in the middle of the school year. The savings,
though significant, really only reflected six
months of savings. Sixteen of the district’s schools
did not participate in the program last year.
The schools that did not participate in the Watt
Watchers program still enjoyed a savings of
$10,675 due to the other conservation
measures in the district; however, it was
considerably less than the Watt Watchers
schools.
 The $158,432 are equivalent to saving $.05
per square foot in the forty-four Watt Watchers
schools. The average cost savings for Watt
Watchers schools was $3,600 per campus and
$667 per campus for non-Watt Watchers schools.
The district has approved a $400 stipend for
those schools that participate in the Watt
Watchers program. To receive the stipend, each
school must complete initial audits by the end
of October. Once the initial audit is
for their program. An additional $200 is given
in April to ensure that program deliverables are
met. The Watt Watchers schools send a parent
newsletter home with the students and present
Watt Watchers information to the school’s parent
club. Hill assists teachers in all aspects of the
programs and enjoys being at the schools with
the students. So far, fifty-one of the district’s
schools have enrolled in this year ’s Watt
Watchers program.
Through the district’s program called the
Resource Efficiency Action Program (REAP), many
energy efficiency measures, reminders, and
programs are introduced to the schools in the
district. Some of the programs that are new this
year to the Salem Keizer Watt Watchers program
include “R Marks the Spot” and “The Wartville
Wizard goes to School.” “R Marks the Spot” is a
64
puppet show that promotes the district’s new
waste and energy reduction program. “The
Wartville Wizard Goes to School” is a skit aimed
at teaching students how not to waste energy
and water, and the proper way to dispose of
trash. Both programs are offered to the
elementary schools in the district. Hill has
additional activities for the schools, including
Energy Jeopardy, energy raps and songs.
The district’s Watt Watchers program is
obviously extremely successful. With Kat Hill
out at the schools sharing her information, her
time, and her passion – Watt Watchers is off to
a tremendous start in the district. Some of the
reasons for this success at Salem Keizer Public
Schools include:
District administration support for REAP in
the district;
information technology department
support for the initiative to put the district’s
computer monitors to sleep; · tracking utility
savings and benchmarking the district’s
schools for Energy Star labels;
and being aware of opportunities such as
taking the lights and ballasts out of the
vending machines.
That’s Not All
Y’all

65
Enroll in Watt
Watchers of Te xas
Get your Change
free kit the World
Getting a Watt Watchers program started in
your school is so simple. All you need to do
is order the FREE kit! Your kit comes complete
with 4 name badges, 4 lanyards, 4
notebooks, 4 pencils, the forms, a CD-ROM,
and a program manual all to help you get
started saving energy and money for your
school today!
Your students will patrol the halls of the schools
to see where energy is being wasted. When
they locate a classroom or office that is empty
and the lights are on they will leave a
reminder ticket … “Oh, No—You forgot to turn
your lights out when you left the room!” If they
notice classrooms that consistently turn the
lights out they leave them a thank-you note
… “This room is First Rate— Thanks for Saving
Energy for our School!”
It is that simple.
Your students and your entire school will learn
a valuable lesson about energy efficiency
and its benefits that will last a lifetime. Your
students will change habits and attitudes
about our environment while saving money
and preventing pollution. You will change
the world for the better.
66
It is that
Simple!
Teachers, just place the Watt Watchers
materials in a bin at your front door and
assign your students a time to go on patrols
throughout the day and the work is done. The
program can be adapted to fit your
teaching needs and demands. The Watt
Watchers program is designed not to
interrupt daily school activities. Thousands
of programs across Texas are now patrolling
quickly and quietly.
Join us today!
The Watt Watchers staff is here to support you.
We have a quarterly newspaper, lesson
plans, energy kits for loan, and several more
energy-related programs. To learn more
about Watt Watchers or to sign up and
receive your free kit, please contact us:
Toll Free Phone/Fax: 1-888-US WATTS (1-888-
879-2887)
e-mail: info@wattwatchers.org
Visit our website: http://wattwatchers.org
It’s Free!-It’s Simple!
-It Works! -start your program today
Watt Watchers of Texas is a FREE energy efficiency program for Texas schools
sponsored by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State Energy Conservation
Office, and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program is designed to help school
districts save energy and money by getting students involved. It is simple and effective!
Students patrol the halls of the schools reducing energy waste by turning off lights
and leaving “tickets” for empty classrooms with the lights on. Turning out the lights
in a classroom during two unoccupied hours per day (lunch & after school) can save
$50 over a school year.

Get started. But that’s not all Y’all!

Sign up for a free kit. Call 1-888-USWATTS or go on-
line at http//:wattwatchers.org to enroll. You will
receive a free kit which includes
a set of 4 Watt Watchers binders,
4 name badges and 4 name tags
with 4 lanyards, 4 pencils,
program manual, CD-ROM, plus a
supply of forms, sample tickets
and thank you notes. Everything
you need — open your kit and get
started today! Not only will your
school be provided with all of the
materials listed above
(approximately a $25 value), Watt
Watchers will provide free support
for the program, including:
WATTS NEWS — Quarterly
Newspaper
Toll Free Phone & Toll Free
Fax support line
Website and e-mail support
In addition to student energy patrols that find
waste and raise awareness, Watt Watchers also
has additional programs for your
school:
Traveling Energy Exploration
Stations – free loans of hands-on
kits for classes
Knowledge is Power – an energy
efficiency curriculum supplement
Sleep Is Good – a computer
monitor power management
program
Junior Solar Sprint – a model solar
race car project
Energy Encounter – a one day
workshop for high school students
District Energy Council – students
assisting energy managers
Recyclin’ Rangers – school wide recycling
awareness program

E-Mail Update – Monthly news for Watt Benchmarking – compare your school district
Watchers energy use nationally

Workshops – Watt Watchers sponsors regional

workshops Watt Watchers of Texas
http://wattwatchers.org
Conferences – Watt Watchers attends
1-888 US WATTS (1-888-879-2887)
educational conferences – see you there.
info@wattwatchers.org
CD-ROM with all the materials to have a Sponsored by the Texas Comptroller of Public
successful program Accounts,
Five Year Lapel Pins for dedicated Watt State Energy Conservation Office, and the U.S.
Watchers sponsors Department of Energy
Watt Watchers Certificates for participation,
Zero Hero and Most Improved Watt Watchers
Awards.
67
Knowledge is Power
Watt Watchers of Texas has developed an energy efficiency curriculum supplement
for grades K-12 called Knowledge is Power. These lesson plans on energy
conservation and energy efficiency are correlated to the Texas Essential Knowledge
and Skills and include starter activities, extensions and discussion questions. The
lessons range from coloring pages and school lighting surveys to cost effective
buying and appliance surveys. Knowledge is Power covers a broad subject range
including math, science, social studies, and language arts.

Example of Air Leakage at Home

Lessons · Students learn how to stop air
Available: leaks in the home by installing
switch plate and plug sealers
Secret Mission Behind and making draft dodgers. This
P ower Lines: W att
Watt will help the students become
Watchers Survey better energy savers and use
math, science, social studies
· This lesson allows students to
survey the school for energy and reading skills.
waste or savings to determine The PPay
ay Me Game
if being Watt Watchers will
save energy and money for · Students will use play money
their school using math, to understand the dollar cost of
science, social studies and their energy bills by using math
reading skills. and science skills.

Energy TTrip
rip Tick et
Ticket
· Students learn about wasting
energy, conserving energy,
energy crisis and what to do
about it by doing these hands
on, minds on, classroom activity using social
studies, math, science, and language arts skills.
Conserving Electricity: TURN IT OFF!
· Students learn why saving energy helps reduce
air pollution. They will also learn how electricity is
produced and sent to homes, schools, and
businesses using science, social studies, and
language arts skills.
Energy Home Survey
· Students conduct home energy survey and answer
questions to learn about appliances and air leaks
in the home. Students discuss ways to save energy
and develop a plan to start saving energy at home
using science, social studies and language arts
skills.
How Much Energy Do YYou
ou
Use?
· Students will do a home energy
survey, which will help them
determine which appliances in
their homes are energy gobbler appliances. They
will work on utility math problems and a
comparison of the results using science, math,
social studies, reading and writing skills.
Incandescent vs. Fluorescent - Battle
of the Bulbs
· Students will learn how to be energy efficient at
home. They will do a home energy survey for
fluorescent lights and compare the wattage use
of a compact fluorescent light and incandescent
light using math, science, and social studies skills.
Knowledge is Power is very easy to access. You
can download the lesson plans on the Watt
Watchers of Texas website at wattwatchers.org or
order a copy of the lesson plans by calling the Watt
Watchers toll free number, 1-888-USWATTS or email
us at info@wattwatchers.org.

68
T raveling Energy
Exploration Stations
The Traveling Energy Exploration Stations are boxes with lessons and lab supplies
boxed together ready to set out for your students. The stations also come with
resources like books, videos and posters and an Educators Guide to help the teacher
through this energy filled exploration.

Electricity
Station Junior Solar
– This station includes Sprint Station
books, videos, posters, – Working in teams, your
and 10 hands-on activities students can build model
that assist the student and solar cars and hold races.
teacher during a unit on They will have lots of fun
electricity. We have also while learning about solar
included a Watt’s Up energy. The station
Meter- this device allows includes 10 solar panels,
students to plug an plus wheels, transmissions
appliance, like a hair and many other parts that
dryer, into the meter and you will need to assemble
do calculations to your model solar car. The
determine how much it station provides great
costs to use the instructions from the
appliance. This activity National Renewable
and many more truly Energy Laboratories on
enhance your unit on how to use the Junior Solar
Electricity. Sprint program in your
classroom. The station also provides
Solar Cooking Station instructions on how to hold a solar car race
– Solar Cooking is one of the most exciting at your school and how to order more
renewable energy activities that you can do materials if you would like to have your own
with students. The station contains books, set of Junior Solar Sprint materials.
videos, 4 ready-to-use solar cookers,
cooking utensils and a complete set of
Renewable Energy Station
– Building a solar water heater is one of the
designs to build 7 solar cookers in your
many things that you can experience in your
classroom. With the designs that we have
own classroom when you check out a
provided for you, your students can cook
renewable energy station! Renewable
anything from a s’more, hot dog, cookies or
energy can be an incredible hands-on
even a roast! Remember the key to solar
learning experience for students and with this
cooking is the sun – so plan this station into
station every classroom in Texas can share
your renewable energy lesson and make
that opportunity. Books, videos, models,
sure you get it during the sunny time of year.
hands on activities are just some of the items
included.

69
Energy Efficiency Station
– This station was created to enhance the
Knowledge is Power energy efficiency
curriculum supplement. The lessons included
in the station include Air Leakage at Home,
Cost Effective Buying, Energy Trip Ticket, Tale
of Two Light Bulbs, the Pay Me Game and so
much more.
These stations can be checked out from Watt
Watchers of Texas for two weeks at a time.
The box will be shipped to your school at our
cost. Don’t worry about using up the supplies
in the box, we will refill them when they get
back to our office. Then we will have the box
picked back up at your school, once again
at our cost. There is no cost to you at all, no
shipping fees, no rental fees, no reservation
fees—totally FREE.
70
To reserve a Traveling Energy Education
Station for your classroom, fill out a
reservation form and fax it back to us.
Reservation forms can be found on our
website www.wattwatchers.org, on our
CDROM and in most of our newspapers. Be
sure to give us alternate dates you would like
to have the station in your classroom, and
to send in your reservation form early since
we have a very high demand in the spring
months.
Watt Watchers of Texas
Web: http://wattwatchers.org
Toll Free: 1-888-USWATTS
Email: info@wattwatchers.org
Junior Solar Sprint

T
he U.S. Department of Energy’s
Watt Watchers is presenting JSS workshops
National Junior Solar Sprint (JSS)
Program is a classroom-based, hands- to middle school teachers in Texas. The
on educational program. workshops are designed to encourage
teachers to get involved in JSS and bring
The primary goals of the JSS the program to their
program are to: middle schools.
1. Generate enthusiasm Teachers will learn to
for science and build a model solar car
engineering at a and race it against the
crucial stage in the other teachers in the
e d u c a t i o n a l workshop. All the
development of
information teachers
young people
need to start a JSS
2. improve students’ program in their district
understanding of is provided during the
scientific concepts
workshop. The model
and renewable
energy technologies;
solar car is given to the
and teacher at the end of
the workshop so that he
3. encourage young
or she can take it back
people to consider
technical careers at
to his or her classroom
an early age. and get the students
excited about the
The JSS program invites middle school project.
students to design, build and race JSS cars.
The small model cars are powered entirely Watt Watchers has a JSS traveling
by solar energy, steered by wires and are a exploration station available for teachers
team effort that is guided by teachers.
to check out for their school or district.
Working in teams of 2-4, each team is The station is available for teachers to
provided with a kit consisting of a solar check out for up to 6 weeks. This station
panel and a motor. The students design will allow teachers to have a set of model
the chassis and the transmission and then solar cars so that your class can work in
build them out of an assortment of teams to build cars and then have a solar
materials. The finished car must have a car race of their own. When the race is
removable solar panel. Students are completed, take the cars apart and return
encouraged to use math and science the station to Watt Watchers.
principles together with their creativity in a
fun, challenging program that stimulates
For more information about the JSS
enthusiasm for science at a critical Traveling Energy Station or the teacher
stage in their education. workshops please, contact Watt Watchers at
1-888-USWATTS.
71
Sleep is Good
The computers in your school are wasting energy. You can help your school save
money. Implement computer monitor power management.

What Y’All Need to Remember: Use free Energy Star software to capture
Screen savers DO NOT save energy! savings.
A typical monitor uses 60-90 watts. Utilize your network; put all monitors to
While in sleep mode a monitor uses 2-10 sleep at once.
watts. Turn off your monitor at night.
Your Energy Star features may not be Save energy, save money, prevent
enabled. pollution.
Some actual examples from districts that already set their monitors to sleep:

District A District B District C

# of computers 3,000 10,000 15,000
% of monitors enabled 55 0 50
% of monitors enabled after mandate 100 100 100
Cost of electricity per kwh 7.5¢ 5.8¢ 6.0¢
Hours monitors are used per week 9 9 9
Days monitors are used per week 5 5 5
% of monitors turned off night
and weekends before mandate 35 35 35
% of monitors turned off night
and weekends after mandate 65 65 65
Current energy use (kWh) 953,620 5,522,790 5,087,745
Future energy use (kWh) 349,479 1,164,930 1,747,395
Energy savings (kWh) 604,141 4,357,860 3,340,350
Current energy costs $71,522 $320,322 $305,265
Future energy costs $26,211 $67,566 $104,844
Monetary savings $45,311 $252,756 $200,421
% of savings 63 79 65
If all of the estimated 1.2 million computer
monitors in Texas schools were enabled
for monitor power management, Texas
would save up to $20.5 million each year!

All in a day’s rest…

To download the free Energy Star EZ Save and
EZ Wizard programs, click on the PC Power
Management link on the Watt Watchers Website.
The computer monitor power management
campaign, Sleep is Good, is a national effort by
EPA/DOE to promote energy savings in computer
monitors. Watt Watchers is helping Texas schools
take advantage of the program.
72
Close Encounters of
the Energy Kind
A
n Energy Encounter is a one day event These student groups are at your campuses
to provide lots of information, ideas, everyday of the school year and they can
and excitement about energy projects and will be your eyes and ears on that
for students, teachers and administrators. campus to help reduce energy waste. If you
Groups from several different schools in a are interested in assisting with an Energy
district or region come together for fun, Encounter in your area, we would be
learning, and motivation. It is a great way pleased to organize a workshop for your
to pick up energy project ideas for Student schools.
Council, Future Teachers of America, National
Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of To Register for an Energy Encounter or to find
America, your Science Club or other group. out how your school can host an Encounter
please contact Watt Watchers at 1-888-US
The students attending the Encounter will be
WATTS or check the Watt Watchers website
participating in Real Projects that we have
wattwatchers.org for a schedule of
chosen from the Real Projects with Real
upcoming Encounters.
Results in the Real World Handbook. These
projects, or as we like to call them Missions
Please give us a call if you have any
are projects that they can learn to do at the
questions or if your school or school district
Encounter and then go back to their schools
would like to host an Energy Encounter.
and do. The missions include Vending
Machine Audits, Classroom Lighting Audits,
Watt Watchers of Texas
Computer Audits, Mentoring a Watt Watchers
wattwatchers.org
Program, and much more. Stduents will
1-888 US WATTS or 1-888 WATTEAM
report the information about their mission to
info@wattwatchers.org
the other students attending the Encounter
so that everyone learns how to do all the
projects completed. Students will also hear
presentations from school district Energy
Managers to help them understand that the
projects they do on the campuses make a
REAL difference.

All this, and more, is condensed into one full

day that includes handouts, prize drawings,
and a little frivolity along with serious savings
sessions to help your group encounter
energy and emerge efficient.

Energy Managers are much needed for

these workshops. Students in your district are
doing energy projects and we would like you
to know what they are doing. The encounter
also gives you a chance to work with them
to do projects that would benefit everyone.
73
Recycling Rangers
Watt Watchers wants you to take action and start Talking Trash at your school!
Too much paper is put into the trash can - it should be placed in a recycling bin that is
emptied regularly. Too many cans and plastic drink containers are placed into the
trash can-they too can be put into recycling containers and taken for recycling.

Here are some simple steps for generating a teacher conference schedule so that
some trash talk at your schools and getting you know when they are not teaching in
a Recycling Rangers program started! the room – we don’t want to ever interrupt
a learning environment.
1. Contact Watt Watchers for more
6. Educate the Staff – let the Rangers
information on Recycling Rangers.
educate the staff about the recycling
2. Conduct an Audit – who is recycling at program. Teachers like to learn from
your school? Is someone responsible for students and students like to teach
taking it from the classroom to the bin? teachers!
There are many questions that you need
7. Kick Off your Program – do
answers to before you get started.
announcements to remind teachers that
3. Based on your audit determine what you today is pick up day – have your bins
will be recycling. Contact the recycling ready. Put up posters to educate the
representative for your district and find out school about recycling. Raise awareness!
what they will accept through the
8. Continue to educate the school.
recycling program. The district may only
Education about the program that will
have a plan to recycle paper.
keep it strong for many years to come.
4. Get Support. Make sure that you talk to Never assume that teachers and students
the administration about the program know what is going on. Keep them
before you start recycling. You don’t want informed.
to start the program and then not have a
9. Tell your story – write articles/summaries to
place to dispose of it or not have support
share with the district media office. Send
from the administration.
your story to Watt Watchers – schools learn
5. Organize the Collection Procedure. Using from what other schools are doing, so
a fire drill map of your school to create a share your story!
before and after school
10. Contact Watt Watchers for support and
procedure for picking up
ideas. We are here to help you.
recycling. Make it easy on
you and your patrol
This program is very
group. If you are
much like your
going to collect
Watt Watchers
during school, use
Patrol except that
students are managing
trash instead of turning off
the lights. But the

really cool
thing is you can
do both at the
same time!!
74
Real Projects in the
Real World
W att Watchers of Texas is here to
educate Texas students about how
to be energy efficient in and out of
school. For many years Watt Watchers has
been giving organizations and clubs ideas
for projects they can do in their schools and
communities. We don’t expect you to do it
alone and that is why Watt Watchers has
developed the real projects in the Real world
with Real Results Handbook – so that you can
make a resolution to improve your school and
community by doing projects that make a
real difference.
This new tool includes instructions on doing
a Lighting Audit, a Soda Machine Audit, and
much more, in your school. These are
projects that have the potential to save
thousands of energy dollars for your school
and it can all be started by a simple student
audit of the lighting system, computer
Over 50 years ago, a mythical American icon
named “Rosie the Riveter”
inspired millions of World War
II women to join the workforce
to help defeat our wartime
enemies. Rosie the Riveter
appeared on a famous poster
urging women to take factory
jobs to build bombs, airplanes
and practically everything
else. These women took over
roles traditionally held by men
and proved what gutsy,
productive women workers
could accomplish. They
changed some old ideas
about a woman’s place being
in the home. Strong, self-
sufficient, patriotic, and
plucky women all across
75
monitors, etc. … and presenting that audit
to the administration in your school or district.
Another project: getting other Watt Watchers
programs going in your district. You know
how much it has helped your school, so why
not spread the information to the schools that
feed into your high school. It is a very simple
project for your school because you already
know how to run a successful Watt Watchers
patrol. You just need to locate your old
middle school and elementar y school
teachers and share the program with them
and then train their students. So, between
the Real Projects and Short and Simple
Projects you should have more than a year’s
worth of activities at your fingertips with this
great handbook. Watt Watchers will update
this handbook every year to give you more
project ideas so that you can see real results
in your school. Send us your ideas so we
can include them in future editions.
America helped with the war with rolled up sleeves
and a can-do attitude.
Watt Watchers chose Rosie as
a symbol for our High School
Projects handbook because we
think students can step up and
go beyond their traditional
roles just like Rosie did.
Rosie got a makeover to turn
her into our “Rodeo Rosie.” Be
like Rosie --Get the handbook
that supports strong, self-
sufficient, patriotic, and plucky
students across Texas who are
ready to roll up their sleeves
and use their can-do attitudes
to help save energy for their
schools, you can change some
old ideas about a student’s
place being in the classroom.
Y’all can do it!
District Energy
Council
D
istrict Energy Council organizes Watt Watchers wants to work with energy
students to assist the district energy managers to implement District Energy
manager. Capable students from Council in their district. Watt Watchers will
each high school in a district form a work to identify selected students in the high
committee or council led by the energy schools of the district to participate in the
manager. The council identifies and program. The students and energy manager
undertakes projects that help the district will be trained in a workshop facilitated by
realize its goals of energy efficiency. For Watt Watchers to get the program started.
example, students mentored by the energy
Watt Watchers will work with several school
manager may decide to get involved in
districts across Texas each year to assist in
computer power management,
implementing District Energy Councils. If you
implementing Watt Watchers district-wide,
would like to learn more about the program,
promoting district energy policy, exit sign and
please contact us.
soda machine audits, posting campus energy
data or other projects. One
important function of the District
Energy Council is to widely publicize
energy programs and encourage
energy awareness throughout the
school district. Each student carries
out the projects in their own school
and feeder schools.
Often, students feel helpless and
un-empowered when attempting
big energy efficiency projects.
Having an energy manager as a
mentor increases their confidence.
Likewise, energy managers have
goals and energy projects that they
do not have time to pursue.
Forming links with students expands
the energy manager’s capabilities
and provides a public relations
vehicle for district energy policy.
Also, when students present certain
ideas they have a better chance
of being accepted. Teaming
students and energy managers
holds the potential to tap
synergistic resources that would
otherwise be unavailable.

76
Lighting-
Myth vs. Fact
F
requently Watt Watchers is asked
about the advisability of turning off
fluorescent lights. The inquiring
teacher (almost always a new Watt Watchers
sponsor) is a little apologetic and quickly
explains that there are just some difficult
teachers that insist that the school district will
lose money if they turn out the lights every
time they leave their classroom.
Some of these teachers state that they
know that frequent switching of fluorescent
lights will cause premature failure of the bulbs
and end up costing the school district more
in bulbs, labor, etc. Furthermore, they
elaborate, an electrical surge occurs when
fluorescent lights are switched on and this
surge will consume much more energy than
could ever be saved by turning out the lights.
77
These teachers may be surprised to learn
that their “facts” are actually myths. But there
is a small kernel of truth within the myths,
which is probably how these ideas
persistently hang on year in and year out.
A surge of electricity does occur and extra
wear that shortens the life of fluorescent
bulbs is caused by switching them on and
off. Nevertheless, every lighting expert will
agree that turning off the lights when you
will be out of your classroom for 10 minutes*
or more is the smart choice. Period. What’s
a poor teacher to do?
There is no real controversy here.
Sometimes it’s necessary to upgrade our
knowledge base along with the technology.
We just need to get all the facts. Half truths,
it seems, create energy myths. The electrical
surge is extremely short and insignificant. The Here is a list of references about lighting
wear on the light bulbs is far outweighed by myths. Watt Watchers can supply you with
energy savings when the lights are out. Very hard copies of the referenced articles on
simple. But I’m afraid we will have to do our request:
homework and document these facts.
One recent review of this
Watt Watchers recommends issue is at:
simply compiling
http://www.energyideas.org/
documentation and providing
topics/
it to the “myth-bound teacher”
default.cfm?o=h,t&c=z,z
in a scientific and non-
threatening manner and then follow this menu chain:
asking for the same from them. If every Home >Topics >Lighting
Since there is no evidence >Operation and Maintenance
supporting the myths it will put teacher in >LIGHTS OUT: Does turning off
them in a difficult position. Be Texas turned fluorescent lights for x amount
gentle with them; they are of time shorten the lamp life or
out the lights at use more energy?
operating on the best
knowledge they have. Science lunch and after The Environmental Protection
is squarely on your side. school... Agency (EPA) created a
Manufacturers base the program called GreenLights to
expected life of fluorescent
it would save assist corporations in improving
bulbs on an average 3-hour 175 MIllion k lighting efficiency. The program
“strike.” That is, they test them by Wh and $14 has evolved into the EnergyStar
continuously switching them off Buildings program and is jointly
and back on every three hours
million every sponsored with the Department
until half of the bulbs fail. An year. It would of Energy. GreenLights and
average life in hours is be the EnergyStar Buildings
expected in bulbs that recommend that lights be
experience 8 on-off cycles per equivalent of switched off in unoccupied
24 hour period. This fits nicely taking 23,465 rooms. The Fall 1997 EnergyStar
within almost all patterns of Buildings and GreenLights
cars off the Update includes an article on
usage for offices and
classrooms. road. energy myths about
occupancy sensors. Myths
The occupancy sensor
number 4 and 5 address frequent switching
industry has grown to be a very large
and electrical surges.
segment of the energy retrofit market.
Occupancy sensors are automatic switches EPA GreenLights training covers the myths
that turn off lights after 5 to 10 minutes of no and includes a pie chart that shows energy
motion in a room or hallway. The time delay to be 90% of the total cost of owning and
is chosen based on cost effectiveness. operating a lighting system. The example
they provide is for an efficient T-8 system
Please help Watt Watchers catalog the
where the energy costs are very low and they
existence of lighting myths. As you encounter
use 7 cents per kWh (below the current
them, please give us feedback on what
national average of 8 cents). Even in this
happens in your school. And send any
system energy accounts for 90% of total cost.
articles you may see about energy myths.
Materials (replacement bulbs) are 6%.

78
 Labor to change the bulbs is 3%. And, last IEEE Transactions On Industr y
but not least, EPA calculated 1% of total costs Applications, Vol. 24, No. 3, May/June 1988
for properly recycling the old bulbs. Abstract- Based on side-by-side cost
comparison of different switching options,
The Illumination Engineering Society (IES)
including a combination of parameters
is the standard bearer of the lighting industry.
biased against frequent switching, this study
The IES Handbook is the basic reference for
reinforces the idea that it is
all lighting professionals. The
economical to turn
handbook recommends that
fluorescent lamps off when
fluorescent lights be turned
they are not needed.
out if a space is unoccupied
Background information to
for 5 minutes. (IES Handbook,
explain the calculation
8th Edition, 1993, Chapter 30,
p. 856)
Energy procedures and a sensitivity
Managers analysis are included.
James C. Elledge has a
Question and Answer column agree: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/
and search for “switching
in Today’s Facility Manager
Magazine called Tricks of the The best course fluorescents”
Trade. He tackled the lighting of action is to The Lighting Design Lab
energy myths issue. His turn out the sponsored by the
response: the electrical surge Northwest Energy Efficiency
is 1/120 of a second and lights when you Alliance has an article at
energy savings and leave. http://
calendar life of bulbs is more www.lightingdesignlab.com/
important than the number of articles/switching/
hours a bulb lasts. He also addresses the switching_fluorescent.htm that has the
environmental benefits of turning off the lights. longest recommended time to wait before
switching fluorescents.
Economics of Switching Fluorescent
Lamps by Louis A. Carriere And Mark S. Rea North Carolina Division of Pollution
Prevention and Environmental Assistance
(DPPEA) Has a four page analysis posted
at www.p2pays.org/ref/36/35297.pdf

*Actually, the experts all say 5 minutes. Watt Watchers

chose 10 minutes to eliminate any potential for nit-picking
and allow for a spirit of compromise. Most school energy
managers recommend turning out the lights whenever
you leave the room regardless of how long you think you
will be gone.

79
Tale of 2 Don’t be tricked...
A 50 cent lightbulb

Lightbulbs
costs more than
a $20 lightbulb!

Let’s compare...on one hand we have a 75w the energy it

incandescent bulb just like we all have in our consumes into heat
homes. It is what we have used to light up our and only 10 % of the
lives since Thomas Edison invented it over 125 electricity is used to make
years ago. It uses 75 Watts of electricity and light. The CFL is 4 times
produces 1200 lumens of light. Maybe it is more efficient and
time to rethink that old standby. produces more lumens of
On the other hand, the funny looking light per Watt of electricity.
lightbulb is a Compact Fluorescent Lightbulb The CFL is a Smart Bulb and
or CFL. It is just like the long tubes we see in the incandescent is a
schools and stores -exceptthe tube is spiral Dumb Bulb. So why
shaped or “folded” to be more compact. This doesn’t ever yone have CFLs
bulb uses 20 Watts of electricity and in every socket?
produces 1200 lumens of light. Old habits are hard to change. Most people
How is it possible to produce the same amount don’t consider the cost of energy for light
of light with only ONE-FOURTH of the electricity? bulbs (or other appliances)- they just look at
Try this simple test: Carefully touch the top of the cost to buy the bulbs. Cheap bulbs seem
an incandescent bulb -BE CAREFUL it is hot! like a good deal. CFLs are more expensive
Now compare the temperature to a than incandescent bulbs but they pay for
Compact Fluorescent Light bulb -it is much themselves through lower energy use. Check
cooler. The incandescent bulb turns 90% of the chart to see how much you can save.

Bulb Type 75W Incandescent 20W CFL

Lumens Produced 1,200 1,200

Purchase Price $0.50 $20.00

Life of the Bulb 750 hours Up to 10,000 hours

(or 1/2 of year) (or 6.8years)

Number of Hours Burned per 4 hours per day 4 hours per day
Day (1,460 hours/year) (1,460 hours/year)

Number of Bulbs Needed to ~13 1

equal life of CFL

Total Cost of Purchasing Bulbs* $6.50 $20.00

Kilowatthours (kWh) (1000 Watt 75Wx10,000 hrs=750,000 20Wx10,000 hrs=200,000

hours) Watt hrs/1000=750 kWh Watt hrs/1000=200

Total Cost of Electricity (10 cents

x kilowatt-hour) $75.00 $20

Total Savings using a CFL com- $55.00 ---

pared to an incandescent
bulb:

80
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ENROLLMENT FORM

Watt Watchers of Texas

1-888-US WATTS (1-888-879-2887) Toll Free Phone & Fax
P.O. Box 68660, El Paso, Texas 79968
e-mail: info@wattwatchers.org
http://wattwatchers.org

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3
Watt Watchers of Texas NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
The Energy Center PAID
EL PASO, TX
University of Texas at El Paso PERMIT NO. 77
P.O. Box 68660
El Paso, Texas 79968