By Miranda Boutelle

Do you have energy-saving helpers at home? Teaching your children to build good energy habits saves money on your electric bill today and sets them up for a lifetime of smart energy use. Here’s how to get your family started on a household energy-saving adventure.

Safety First
When it comes to electricity, start with safety basics. Secure cords so appliances, lamps or other plugged-in items can’t be pulled down. Use outlet covers and safety plugs to keep little hands from getting injured.
    As they get older, teach children not to stick things in outlets. When they are old enough to use outlets, let them know they should never unplug by pulling the cord. When playing outside, educate 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 reduces energy waste. 
    Keeping the refrigerator door open is a common energy waster for kiddos—and some adults. 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 to keep heated or air-conditioned air inside the home. I wonder how many kids these days are asked if they were born in a barn or if they would even know what you mean?
    Hot water is another saver to consider. 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 the electric bill with older children. Be sure to focus on energy use, which is shown in kilowatt-hours on your bill. 
    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. 
    Make it 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 one who guesses how many kilowatt-hours you used that month. The winner gets to pick the movie for family night. 
    Exploring energy 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.