To avoid wasting energy, teach children to quickly look inside the refrigerator for options and then close the doors while they decide on a snack.
Photo by Mark Gilliland, Pioneer Utility Resources
Teaching your kids about smart use of electricity while they're young can help them develop lifelong habits that save both energy and money around the home.
But first, before you worry about teaching your kids energy efficiency, start with electricity safety basics. Secure cords so appliances, lamps and other plugged-in items can't be pulled down. Use outlet covers and safety plugs to keep little hands from getting injured.
As children get older, teach them not to stick things in outlets. When they are old enough to use outlets, let them know they should never unplug items by pulling the cord. When playing outside, teach them to stay away from downed power lines, keep a safe distance from all electrical equipment and avoid the dangers of electricity near water.
Teaching energy habits
Keeping safety in mind, you can teach age-appropriate energy habits.
Turning off fans and lights when you leave rooms is always a good habit to instill. Fully powering down TVs, computers and gaming systems also reduces energy waste.
A common energy waster for kiddos (and some adults) is holding the refrigerator door open. Show them they can take a quick look inside and scan their options. If they need time to decide what they want, they can close the fridge while making up their minds.
Closing your home's doors is another tip for keeping heated or air-conditioned air inside. I wonder how many kids these days are asked if they were born in a barn, or if they would even know what that means?
Smart use of hot water is another way to teach energy efficiency. In addition to reducing wasted water, using less hot water helps you save on your energy bill. Heating water is typically the second-highest energy use in a home, behind heating and air conditioning. Reduce energy use by turning off the water while hand-washing dishes, taking short showers and not overfilling the bathtub.
Gamify your bill
Review your electric bill with older children. Focus on energy use, which is shown in kilowatt-hours on your bill.
Make energy savings a game. Consider a family reward for using less energy than the previous month or the same month of the previous year, or an individual reward for the person who guesses how many kilowatt-hours you used that month. Say that the winner gets to pick the movie for family night.
It's also 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 that money instead. Consider a trip to mini golf, getting ice cream or choosing a longer-term goal to fund a weekend family trip.
Exploring energy safety, efficiency and conservation with your children doesn't have to be a chore. Find fun ways to build lifelong energy habits and save energy around your home.
Miranda Boutelle writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing nearly 900 electric co-ops.