How to Get Your Kids to Save Energy and Money

How many times a day do you have to remind the kids to turn of the lights? And they're at home most of the day. Summer is right around the corner, and soon they'll be home all day blasting the air conditioning and leaving every light in the house on. Right in the middle of the recession. Since nagging them doesn't seem to work, try a different tactic. Involve your kids in this quick activity to educate them about the amount of energy that your family uses and how much it costs. Then give them a few incentives to help out. You might find yourself asking them to please let you have the light on for a few more minutes so you can finish a chapter.

Your energy meter should be located, somewhere, in the back of your house. If you live in an apartment building, you've probably walked by a collection of units. Yours will be the one with your apartment number written on it. If you're having trouble locating it, give your building manager a ring.

Next (with the lights on in the house), take the whole family out there to watch it for a few minutes. Check out how quickly those numbers are turning (or changing, if you have an electric meter). This shows you how much energy your house is using at the time. Explain to your children that the meter is counting the number of watts that your house is using.

As you watch the meter turn, ask your children how much they think each one of those watts cost. Then explain to them that those little numbers are counting how much money your family has to spend on energy.

Next, while they watch the meter, run inside and cut everything off and unplug all your appliances. Then go back outside and see how slowly the meter is running. Then, go back in and turn everything back on. Turn the air-conditioning on full blast, flick on all the lights, turn the microwave on and the electric fan. Everything. Then come back outside with your kids and watch that sucker go.

Then talk about the huge differences in the amount of energy used. If they are at an age when they're taking math, have them calculate the amount your bill will be in a month by calculating the amount you use in one minute and the cost per kilowatt hour. Offer them a prize if they can get it right, and let them use a calculator.

Now that they know that the lights they leave on actually costs you money, its time to help them care. Show them your electric bill which should show how much energy you're using and how much it costs. Offer them some incentives if they can bring that number down. For instance, if the family cuts down to a certain number, then you guys can go out to eat or do something else as a family. Or, give them a little cash incentive.

And instead of nagging them about it, invite your kids to come up with ideas about how to save energy. Talk to them about energy efficient light bulbs, and shorter showers. Or, send them to the internet and have a family competition about who can come up with the best ideas to save energy!