29/05/2026
☀️ The Heat Project Summer Energy Quiz 2026 --- Answers ☀️
1. b) A week of showers
A typical small paddling pool holds around 500 litres. A family of four taking 5-minute showers daily uses roughly 800 litres over a week (4 people × 7 days × 50 litres per shower). The showers win!
2. b) About £1.5 million
There are around 2.55 million households in Scotland. Around 53% own a tumble dryer, and a single vented dryer cycle costs around £1.22. If every tumble dryer owner skipped just one load and hung it outside, Scotland would save roughly £1.65 million in one go, and that's not counting the benefit to the planet too.
3. d) Around 90%
In 2024, an impressive 91.5% came from low-carbon sources overall (renewables, nuclear and pumped storage). Scotland is now a net electricity exporter, sending nearly 20 TWh south to the rest of the UK.
4. c) 113%
In January 2024, Scotland made history by generating the equivalent of 113% of its own electricity needs from renewables — the first time it ever produced more renewable energy than it consumed. All that wind pays off!
5. c) Around 25 homes
A large commercial rooftop solar array (e.g. 100kW) in Blairgowrie could generate around 83,000 kWh per year. With an average household using around 3,400kWh annually, that could power roughly 25 homes. This if for a whole years worth of energy and would of course need batteries when the sun isn’t shining. On one sunny day it could power 30-40 houses to provide free or cheap electricity when the sun is shining.
6. b) A hairdryer uses more energy
A typical electric lawnmower runs at around 1,200–1,500W. A hairdryer, however, can draw 1,800–2,200W — more than the lawnmower! That said, the actual energy will depend on how long they are used for. Still, a good reminder that quick habits (like towel drying hair first) can make a difference.
7. b) About 10 minutes
A smartphone battery holds around 10–20 Wh. A human cyclist on a basic generator produces roughly 100W of power (for a fit adult). So charging a phone from empty would take around 10 minutes of steady effort. Easy enough — as long as you can keep up the pace.
8. a) About 2-3p
A living room lit with a handful of LED bulbs (say, 4-6 bulbs at 5–9W each) uses around 30-50W in total, or 0.03-0.05 kWh per hour. At current electricity prices of around 27p/kWh, 3 hours of LED lighting costs just 2-4p. Compare that to the same room with old halogen or incandescent bulbs, you'd be paying 30p for the same lighting!
9. a) Gas BBQ
Surprising but true! Charcoal produces around three times the carbon dioxide of gas per unit of energy. The process of making charcoal is very energy-intensive, and burning it releases more CO2 and particulates. That said, an electric BBQ using Scottish renewable electricity would really be the greenest option of all - and it won't cause any arguments about whether the coals are ready yet.
10. a) Garden sprinkler
A garden sprinkler uses around 500-1,000 litres per 30 minutes. A standard bath holds around 150 litres. So the sprinkler uses 3-6 times more water than a bath. If you need to water the garden, be targeted with a hose, use a rainwater butt, or watering in the cool of the evening when less evaporates.
11. b) False!
Solar panels generate electricity from daylight, not just direct sunshine. Even on a typically Scottish overcast day, panels produce a meaningful amount of power from diffuse light. In fact, around half of the UK's light energy is diffused through clouds — and modern panels are specifically designed to make the most of it. Solar works in Scotland. Honest.
☀️ How did you do? ☀️
0-3: The Midge – you're draining energy from everyone around you! Time to read up.
4-6: The Overcast Sky – you've got potential, but a few clouds are holding you back.
7-9: The Heat Pump – efficient, reliable, and quietly doing a great job!
10-11: The Solar Panel – a shining example! Scotland's renewable future is in safe hands.
The Heat Project is your community energy advice project. We can help with free advice on energy issues, improvements and funding. Contact us at [email protected] or find more information at www.theheatprojectscotland.org. In Blairgowrie we are also at the BaRI Foodstore every Wednesday 4–5pm – look out for us at local events too!
Free Local Expert Energy Advice Service We provide a free , professional energy advice service to households throughout Perth and Kinross to help them become more energy efficient and reduce their energy bills. The Heat Project is a community-based initiative and part of Blairgowrie and
