Easy Ways to Teach Your Kids How to Conserve Energy

It’s back-to-school time, but you can teach your kids lifelong lessons year-round when you make energy conservation a priority. By implementing some small changes around the house, your kids can help the whole family save money and become more energy efficient. But there’s even more they can do at school and elsewhere to reduce their energy consumption.

Here, we’ll provide some insights on energy you can share with the eco-conscious students living in your home. Plus, we’ll also give you tips to teach them how to use less energy wherever they are. They feel great about saving energy and having a positive impact on the planet, and as a bonus, you save on your energy bills — everybody wins when they conserve!

Where Does Energy Come From?

A lot of kids already know that when they flip a light switch or power up their video game system, electricity in the house turns the item on. But what they may not yet realize is that electricity itself is only a secondary form of energy — primary sources of energy are needed to generate that electricity. So where does that come from?

Nuclear energy: This type of power is generated from nuclear fission and creates heat and electricity. It contributes about 20% of all the power used in the U.S.
Fossil fuel: These non-renewable resources include coal, natural gas, and oil, and were formed as prehistoric plants and animals died off. These natural resources are finite and produce a lot of emissions which can be damaging to the environment, so working to be more energy efficient is key.
Renewable energy: These energy sources come from the earth and the atmosphere. They are cleaner and, when harnessed properly, much more energy efficient. Renewable resources include solar power, wind, geothermal, and hydropower.

Why Energy Conservation Matters

Energy conservation is important on many levels, and teaching kids why it matters is foundational to raising a generation of smart energy consumers. There are several overarching reasons for making every effort to conserve energy, including:

Environmental reasons: Saving energy is better for the world around us, as it reduces greenhouse emissions, lessens our carbon footprint, reduces pollution, and conserves precious natural resources. All of these things are better for the humans, animals, and plants that populate the earth.
Economic reasons: Saving energy also saves money. It lowers energy bills but it also contributes to larger economies, helping nations invest wisely and stimulate economic growth.
Health reasons: Using fewer of our limited resources can also be better for our health. Less pollution protects our lungs from the air we breathe, and keeps our waterways cleaner.

Energy-Saving Tips at Home

Ready for some actionable tips you can give your kids to lower their energy use at home? We’ve got you covered! Go over this checklist together and start saving today:

Cell phone: Done charging? Then unplug the charger from the wall. The charger wastes energy when nothing is plugged in.

Laptop/computer: Anything that’s always plugged in is always drawing power. Show your kids how to set power management features on their computer when they aren’t in use.

Guitar amp: Even if they want to be a rock star, unplug the amp when not being played.

Light switch/ceiling fans/tv: Turn off lights and other powered items when they leave the bedroom. The room doesn’t need to be comfortable or entertained!

Vents: Make sure vents aren’t blocked in their bedrooms. It takes far less energy to pump air conditioning or heat into the room when the vents aren’t covered.

Windows: if you hear air blowing in when a window is closed, have them tell you so that it can be sealed up.
Faucets: When brushing their teeth, they should turn the faucet off until they’re ready to rinse. Otherwise they could waste up to four gallons of water!
Curtains: Encourage them to open the curtains or blinds and use natural light in their rooms or other areas of the home.

Tips to Conserve Energy at School

Even when not at home, there are so many ways your kids can promote sustainability and conserve energy. And since their school is their home-away-from-home, it’s a great place to start! Here are some things to think about:

Reusable items: Take reusable water bottles to school instead of plastic. Instead of single-use plastic items, pack a lunch that includes reusable or bamboo utensils.
Recycling: Make sure to recycle appropriate items at school whenever possible. If the school doesn’t have a recycling program, help your student research how to implement one.
Air vents: Have students check vents before they leave a classroom to make sure there are no obstructions.
Doors: Remind students to close doors behind them when entering or exiting a classroom to heat and cool the space more efficiently.
Chargers: Just like at home, ask kids to unplug chargers that aren’t being used.
Community: Encourage kids to launch environmental initiatives at school, like forming an energy patrol or green team.
Reminders: Send a pack of Post-its your child can use to leave friendly reminders about energy conservation. Bonus points if the notes are made of recycled paper!

Saving Energy With Help From Grown-Ups

If your kid really wants to commit to saving energy, they probably also want the rest of the family on-board. There are several other adjustments they can make at home, if they have a little help from the grown-ups. Here are some to consider:

Buy less packaging: Help your kids choose products with less packaging material and to use or repair what’s on hand rather than buying and consuming more.

Be creative! Use creative methods to reuse, reduce and recycle. For example, by making pretend swords out of cardboard paper towel rolls or using boxes to build play cities, you can cut down on buying so much stuff, save money, and make great memories..

Recycle paper: Designate a bin in your house for used paper so that recyclable paper won’t get mixed up with your trash.

Get out of the car: Walk, bike, or use public transportation with your kids whenever you can instead of driving the car.
Change out bulbs: If you have incandescent light bulbs in your home, work with your kids to research the most energy efficient LED lights or CFL bulbs, and create a plan to start replacing them.
Check your thermostat: Test your thermostat regularly to make sure it’s working properly. Also make sure it’s installed in an area where it doesn’t get direct sunlight. If possible, consider researching with your kid to find a smart or programmable thermostat that could cut back on your energy bills and prolong the life of your HVAC system.
Talk about comfort: Plan a family meeting, and ask if everyone is willing to dress in layers or add an extra blanket to their bed in an effort to cut back on energy consumption.
Clean your air conditioner: Kids can help maintain your HVAC equipment by clearing debris from the outdoor unit, changing the air filter, and starting to build good preventive maintenance habits at a young age.

Teach them about appliances: Show your kids how to read an EnergyGuide Label to understand how efficient your home appliances are. Also explain Energy Star appliances and how they can help save energy.

Even Small Feet Can Take Big Steps to Save Energy!

There are a lot of tips up above you and your kids can use to lower your energy consumption, protect the planet, and save on your utility bills. But what’s our number one piece of advice? Set a good example. Demonstrate energy saving techniques and lower the amount of energy you consume on a daily basis. Show them how to start these positive habits by taking care of your home’s HVAC system and maximizing its lifespan and efficiency. The best way to do that? Team up with Airtron and explore our Essential HomeCare maintenance plans. Get started today!