Making energy efficiency a family affair isn’t just good for your budget, it\u2019s good for your kids\u2019 futures, too. Find out why \u2013 and how to make it work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think undertaking some eco-friendly home improvements is the only way to make your house more energy efficient? Not true. Small changes to household habits have a big impact<\/a>, too, so if you\u2019re keen to encourage your kids to do things that\u2019ll help keep a lid on your power bill, you\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, more than three-quarters of parents surveyed for Origin Energy\u2019s Good Energy Report III<\/em> say they\u2019re already teaching their kids energy-saving behaviours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s a smart move according to a 2018 study, which found that when kids get to grips with energy-saving strategies, it sets them up to manage their energy consumption later in life<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd the younger you start, the better,\u201d says the study\u2019s lead author, Ikerne Aguirre-Bielschowsky from the University of Melbourne. \u201cPrimary school age, before kids hit their teenage years, is ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ikerne\u2019s other tips?<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs well as being consistent and role modelling the behaviours you\u2019re trying to instil, making sure children understand how actions reduce energy use is important for encouraging participation \u2013 particularly for less-obvious actions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKids understand how pulling out a plug helps, but things like closing curtains or having shorter showers are a little more abstract unless it\u2019s explained to them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Explaining your motivation, whether it\u2019s to save money or reduce your carbon footprint, matters too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf children understand why they\u2019re doing it, they\u2019ll find it easier to apply the concept to future behaviours,\u201d says Ikerne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The study<\/a> also found that the worst thing you can do to encourage your kids to save energy is to nag them. One of the best things you can do is to try having some fun with it. These sustainability activities for kids will help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve explained how certain behaviours affect energy usage and why you\u2019re trying to use less of it, hold a quiz \u2013 complete with prizes \u2013 to test and reinforce your kids\u2019 knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you\u2019re confident your kids understand how your home uses energy and <\/em>what you can do as a family to be more efficient (hello that pop quiz!), play a game of \u2018I spy\u2019 where you all take turns identifying things you could improve on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting your kids to limit their showers to the length of a favourite song or two is a fun, effective way to save on water-heating costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Asking them to pick one or two songs, so showers are no more than four minutes long, will contribute to keeping your water heating costs<\/a> under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And ask your kids to use it to identify draughts under doors, around window frames, near fireplaces and over floorboards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the tissue moves when they hold it close, they\u2019ve found a draught where cold and hot air can enter during winter and summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reward your kids \u2013 and block those drafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Write down a list of energy-heavy appliances on one set of cards and on another set, write a smart swap for each. Hold up an energy-heavy appliance and ask your kids to choose the card they\u2019d swap it with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, they could choose \u2018washing line\u2019 to swap with \u2018clothes drier\u2019 or \u2018ceiling fan\u2019 to swap with \u2018air conditioner\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Holding off on using appliances like your oven as well as things like blenders, mixers and microwaves is an easy way to save energy a couple of times a week and will encourage your kids to appreciate all the ways kitchens use energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Engage them even more by letting your kids choose the meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting kids to ditch screens in favour of board games, reading and playing outdoors might seem difficult \u2013 unless it\u2019s a task they can win!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Award points for every 30 or 60 minutes they spend doing something that requires zero household energy, tally it up and see who wins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Forty percent of your home\u2019s heating energy can be lost via the windows during winter. Up to 87 percent of its heat is gained that way during summer<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So when you\u2019ve got the heating or the air-conditioning on, ask your kids to race around and shut some curtains. The one who gets the most done, wins!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even when turning on the heating or air-conditioning is essential, doing what you can to ease the load will save energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ask your kids to come up with a plan, whether it\u2019s rugging up in an extra jumper, shutting doors to keep the heat in or using fans to stay cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some key numbers affect how energy efficient your house is \u2013 like having your fridge set at four or five degrees Celsius and your freezer between minus 15 and 18 degrees, which you can measure using a fridge thermometer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Likewise, it\u2019s best to have your thermostat set no lower than 26 degrees in summer and no higher than 20 degrees in winter \u2013 every degree higher can add 10 percent to your heating bill<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assign your kids the job of keeping those numbers in check. Research shows it\u2019s that kind of responsibility that helps them engage with the energy-efficiency mission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n1. Stage a pop quiz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Play \u2018I spy the energy waster\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Take song showers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Hand out some tissue paper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Try \u2018swap this for that\u2019<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Cook an energy-free meal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Turn going screen-free into a competition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. Run a close-the-curtains race<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Brainstorm keep-warm and stay-cool strategies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. Choose a number monitor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n