You will teach your children many life lessons throughout their lives and many of those lessons won’t be so easy to stick. Two important conversations you must have with your kids will be about energy conservation and financial responsibility. Teaching these lessons to your children will be more difficult because the results don’t directly affect them. They don’t pay the utility bills or any bills for that matter. Teaching these lessons to your children do not have to be crime and punishment scenarios to get them to understand and listen. There are much more rewarding solutions.
Continue reading this article to get the most out of our guide on how to save on electricity with kids.
Teach Your Kids to Turn Off the Lights
This is the simplest energy saving technique you can teach your kids so work on forming this habit early. This one tip alone will save you energy and money when implemented and practiced regularly.
Consider Switching Providers
If you want to save money then you should consider making a switch to a cheaper energy supplier. Do you research and spend time comparing plans, prices and rates? Deregulation has brought on some fierce competition between providers. The ones in your area are sure to have special promotions and discounts to set them apart from their energy supplying competition. If you have older children get them to sit at a table with you so they can begin learning how to do this because they will need the information in their future.
Teach your Kids that Saving Energy Saves Money
You are the one who sees and pays the utility bills so you know how expensive electricity and other utilities are. Teaching your kids the relation between finances and energy. You must hold them accountable for their actions. Did they leave a light on? Make them put 50 cents from their allowance in a utility bill jar every time they forget. It is your job to begin teaching them financial responsibility.
Energy Saving Tips
Teach your kids how to save money by saving energy.
Unplug Electronics
Unused electronics that are plugged in are responsible for using phantom energy. This is energy that is used while an object is switched off but is still plugged into an outlet. This energy waster costs you significant amounts of money in electricity every year. Teach your children to unplug electronics when not in use. If they are too young to be near outlets, consider purchasing a smart energy power strip.
Keep Doors Closed
Keeping the door open allows heat to escape. Every time the temperature drops in your home, your heater will have to kick on to bring the house back up to temperature. Start practicing this at a young age to easier develop the habit of closing doors.
Use Fans
Keeping a fan on constantly seems like it would be a waste of energy, but continuously adjusting the thermostat is an even bigger waste. Teach your kids that the thermostat is off limits and make them cool down with a fan instead.
Spend More Time Reading and Playing Outdoors
Limit your children’s screen time and enforce the rule. Children waste a lot of energy on computers, television and video games. Even tablets and handhelds use up precious energy when they have to be on a charger constantly.
Teach them While they are Young
It is never too early to start forming good habits. Teaching your children these energy conserving habits early will be easier than trying to get the patterns to stick when they are older.
