Nowadays, everyone knows the importance of preserving energy and how vital it is to do so if we want to lessen our harm to the environment. For most families today being energy efficient is not only an excellent way to be kind to the environment but it also economical.
Living within an ever-growing, innovative global economy, we expect that children have access to power sources to operate their computers, mobile devices, or any other item needed to be competitive in the marketplace. However, it is equally important for today’s youth to respect and protect the world’s energy sources.
Parents can teach their kids how to enjoy their lives in ways that are both eco-friendly as well as economical. For example, in Texas, Green mountain energy rates are competitive in the energy market, offering families electricity derived from 100% renewable resources. Demonstrate how it is not only important to turn off any TVs, computers, or video games when you finish with them, but to also choose an energy provider that has the environment in mind.
Look at the choices you make around the house each day, by just keeping your home in working order. From small things such as remembering to keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible to how you are doing the laundry. Choose a washing machine detergent that works with cold water and use the fast spin cycle to get as much water out during the wash. Less time in the dryer means less energy wasted.
Make a point of talking to your kids about the ‘when’ of doing chores as well. Teach them why it is better to run a full washing machine after supper because the electricity demand is less, saving the family money. Explain why you have a da29-00020b filter installed on the refrigerator instead of a mountain of disposable plastic water bottles. In the summer, have the family try their hand at using a clothesline rather than the dryer. Giving mother nature a chance to dry your clothing will drastically reduce your home’s carbon footprint as well as pump up the family’s savings.
That is not all when it comes to the much-loved dishwasher. No one wants to wash the dishes but how do you justify keeping one? Teach the kids to scrape clean the dishes before loading them into the dishwasher, instead of rinsing them. Not only electricity but water will also be saved. Just like the washing machine, only turn on the dishwasher when it is full, choosing the eco-settings if your model has one.
Homes that do not have solar paneling can still use the sun to help regulate the temperature inside. During the colder months of the year, remember to keep all the curtains open to allow the sun to come in and warm up rooms as much as possible. Conversely, in the warmer, summer months, keep curtains closed and blinds down, this time to block the sun and keep rooms cooler.
By no means do parents need to share the family finances with their children. However, when you put these energy-saving actions into place, share with your kids not only how your family is helping to conserve energy but also how it these small choices can save money, allowing for the family to do more of what the love. By talking with your children and discussing the practical ways in which the family is saving energy, you are teaching your kids to understand how their day-to-day routines consume energy in addition to how you are saving it.