From light switches to lifelong habits
“Teach your children well” the song says—advice that encompasses teaching them good energy habits. That saves money on your electric bill today, and it sets them up for a lifetime of smart energy use. Here’s how to get your family started.
Selling energy habits
Turning off fans and lights when leaving rooms is always a good habit to teach, as is fully powering down TVs, computers and gaming systems, which reduces waste.
Show kids they can take a quick look at the refrigerator and scan their options instead of keeping the fridge door open while they decide. If they need time to decide what they want, they can close the fridge while thinking.
Closing your home’s doors is another tip to keep heated or air-conditioned air inside.
Heating water is typically the second-highest energy use in a home, behind heating and air conditioning, so using less hot water helps save on your energy bill. Teach children they can reduce energy use by turning off the water while hand-washing dishes, by taking short showers and not overfilling the bathtub.
Gamify your bill
Review your bill with older children. Be sure to focus on energy use, which is shown in kilowatt-hours on your bill.
It’s a good opportunity to teach budgeting and household finances. If you save money on the electric bill, you may be able to do something fun with the savings.
Consider a family reward for using less energy than the previous month or an individual reward for the one who guesses how many kilowatt-hours you used that month. The winner gets to pick the movie for family night.
