You have made every effort to be energy efficient, from adding insulation in your attic to purchasing late model, Energy Star appliances. But for some reason, your utility bill seems to be where it has always been, or even higher – what is going wrong? If you have children, they may be the unknowing culprits. Kids don’t often know how little habits can add up to big money, unless of course you take the time to teach them how they can help to keep your household budget in check. Here are some easy tips on how to teach children early to develop good habits about energy conservation which will save energy all year round.
Tips on Conserving Electricity
- Turn off computers, televisions and gaming systems when you are done using them. Computers in particular often are left on when someone walks away, which will drain power when no one is even around.
- When you are ready to take conservation a step further, unplug the above devices whenever they are not in use. Few people know that even when electronics are turned off, they still drain “phantom power.” You can avoid this by unplugging them when you are finished using them.
- Make sure that all lights are turned off when you leave a room. There’s no reason to illuminate a room when no one is there to enjoy it.
- Think about what you want to eat before opening the refrigerator door. Standing in front of an open refrigerator for long periods of time lets out the cold air and wastes energy.
Tips on Conserving Water
- don’t let the water continually run when brushing your teeth. Not turning the faucet off wastes gallons of water each time you are at the sink.
- Don’t take long, lazy showers. Not only do showers tend to waste gallons of water, but the energy needed to heat the water is also being consumed.
Tips on Keeping A/C Bills Low
- If the air conditioner is running (which it almost always is in South Florida) don’t leave any doors open for longer than necessary, and keep windows closed.
- Use ceiling fans to circulate the cool air more efficiently.
- Close blinds or drapes in the heat of the day to keep the room cooler.
Getting Kids to Help with Energy Conservation
Parents know that kids don’t do everything we ask them to. The key is to get them involved and interested in the process. Unfortunately, saving Mom and Dad’s money may not be high on their list of priorities. (It’s a never-ending supply, right?)
Try to appeal to something that interests them. Tell them they are helping to conserve water for tree and plants if they love nature, or that they are saving the environment if animals hold a special place in their heart. You can also make a game of it – give them a reward if they do the right thing for an entire week, or make a competition between siblings to see who can “get caught wasting energy” the least. You can even challenge them to catch you in the act of wasting water of energy, giving them permission to correct you in order to reinforce the good habit. When kids are watching you closely to try to catch you in the act, they will be more vigilant and aware of their own behavior.
If you need more tips on how to lower your energy bill, call Promise Electric of Sarasota for an energy audit today. This is the best time to prepare for summer, when our energy usage is at its peak. Be ready for the hot weather, save money and energy. Call us today.
