How much do your kids know about saving energy?

We aren’t very strict parents. I like to keep our household rules simple and easy for our kids to follow every day.

When it comes to saving energy there are definitely some simple and important rules for kids to know. If your kids are on board with saving energy you will be right on the path towards saving money on your electricity bill and helping your community!

10 Important Rules for Kids to Save Electricity

Get the whole family on board saving electricity at home. Introduce some simple rules at a family dinner or meeting and keep it light and simple so everyone understands.

Reinforcing simple rules with our kids about how they can help save energy is important. These are skills they can carry into adulthood and by looking at the electricity bill as a family everyone can see the impact saving energy is having.

Here are some simple rules you and your kids can follow to help save energy at home.

1. Shut the door behind you

   Do your kids have a habit of leaving the back door open every time the come in from the backyard? Discuss how closing the doors outside quickly keeps cold and warm air in the house, which saves electricity. Closing the door behind you is an easy way your kids can help save energy.

2. Unplug

   Electronics are everywhere, especially if your kids are into playing video games. Let older kids know that they should unplug their gaming systems after playing. This saves electricity it still uses while plugged in and turned off. My son has been trying to unplug his video gaming devices every day at home when he is not playing.

3. Use Fans

   Are your kids constantly complaining that their hot? Have them stand in front of a fan to cool down. Fans often cost less energy than running your a/c at a lower temperature.

4. Close the Fridge door

   I’m not sure about you, but in my home my son loves to stand in front of the fridge for extended periods of time looking for a snack. Talk with your kids about how keeping the fridge door closed saves energy. When they go to the fridge they should have a snack in mind to grab and go. 

5. Disconnected time

   Plan some disconnected time for your family. Maybe a few hours when no one is watching TV, playing video games, or using an electronic device. Make sure everything is unplugged during this time. Spend some family bonding time together while you are saving energy.

6. Outdoor play

   Plan backyard activities for your kids. Go swimming or play in the sprinklers when it’s hot. While you are outdoors turn your thermostat down to save energy.

7. Chores

   Have the family do some chores that will help save energy around the house. Older kids can help replace light bulbs with energy saving LED bulbs. Your kids can also help you go around the house to make sure things are unplugged before you leave the house.

8. Turn off the lights

   Teach your kids to make turning lights off a daily habit. Especially in their bedroom and bathroom. If they aren’t in the room the lights should be turned off.

9. Save hot water

   Practice with your kids turning the sink off when they are brushing their teeth. You can also have them take shorter showers to save hot water and electricity.

10. Hanging up clothes

    Enlist your kids to help hang dry their clothes. They can also hang dry swimsuits and towels after swimming to save the electricity it would take to run the dryer.

Share How You Do Your Thing

Join Energy Upgrade California by sharing how you save energy! First blow up a brightly colored balloon. Write how you save energy with a marker on the balloon. Take a selfie of your hair in the static. Then share on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with #DoYourThing! You can see mine below.

Remember to keep energy rules simple and easy for your kids to understand. A great place to start conversation is at a family meeting or dinner.

Make saving energy a family effort and look together at how much your energy bill goes down.

How do your kids help save energy at home? Do you try to unplug things you aren’t using? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!