As your kids head back to school, encourage them to conserve energy, both in the classroom and at home. By making small changes to their daily routines, children can learn how to contribute to the health of the environment, developing habits they can continue for the rest of their lives.
No school-age child is too young to start learning eco-friendly tasks and responsibilities. Learn how you can teach your kids to support the health of our planet with these ways to conserve energy at home and school.
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How to Conserve Energy at School
Even while kids are at school, there are small ways they can contribute to energy conservation. Talk to your children about these possible ways to help save energy at school throughout their education.
Ride a Bike or Walk to School
If you live close to school, allow your kids to walk or ride their bicycle. Instead of driving and dropping them off, walk younger kids to school. It not only limits your carbon footprint but is also a great source of exercise for both of you!
If you do have to drive to drop off and pick up your kids from school, turn off your engine while you wait in the pickup line to conserve gas and limit your vehicle’s emissions.
Use a Reusable Water Bottle
One of the simplest energy saving tips for kids is to encourage them to take reusable water bottles to school. Reusable bottles can be filled up throughout the day and limit the waste that bottled water creates. Allow kids to pick out a water bottle in their favorite color and encourage them to personalize with stickers to make the activity more fun.
Recycle School Supplies from the Previous Year
To reduce the amount of waste created throughout the school year, take stock of what you already own and reuse what you can, like partially used notebooks, school supplies, and textbooks used by older siblings. Most importantly, remember to recycle batteries from calculators and other devices.
Pack Eco-Friendly Lunches
Reducing the waste you create is critical to limiting your carbon footprint. Pack lunches such as sandwiches and cold pasta that don’t require use of the stove and oven. Purchase items that don’t come with additional packaging that ends up in the trash.
Recycle In the Classroom
One of the simplest ways for kids to contribute to energy conservation at school is to recycle. Recycling materials like paper and plastic can reduce the energy used to manufacture new products. Teach your kids what materials are recyclable and encourage them to talk to their teachers about adding recycling bins to the classroom, if they don’t have them already.
Ask the Teacher About Classroom Jobs
Classroom jobs can help kids feel responsible for environmentally friendly practices and save energy at school. Talk to your child’s teacher about instituting weekly jobs that rotate between students, such as a student who turns off lights when the class leaves the room and back on when they return, or a student who is responsible for shutting down classroom technology at the end of the day.
How to Conserve Energy at Home
While saving energy at school is important, energy conservation starts at home. Once your kids get home from school, look for ways they can save energy and develop eco-conscious practices to help create a more energy-efficient home.
Take Showers Instead of Baths
Both showers and baths use water and energy to heat the water, but showers are much more environmentally friendly. Showers use significantly less water than baths, as much as 3.5 times less.
Limit Technology Use
For younger generations, technology is a part of everyday life, both for school and for entertainment. While most kids must use computers as part of their homework, consider limiting additional electronic use, like TV and gaming consoles. If they need to do research for papers or larger projects, encourage kids to visit the local library where they can use reference books to cut down on energy use.
Plan After-School Activities
Instead of playing video games or watching TV, encourage kids to get involved in other activities after school. These can include school clubs or extracurriculars like sports, as well as things they can do at home, such as outdoor games.
Turn Off Lights and Devices When Leaving a Room
Lights and other devices that are left on and not used waste electricity. Encourage kids to turn off all lights and electronics, like the TV, when they leave a room—one of the top ways to conserve energy at home for kids. Make this the child’s responsibility to help them be more conscious of their actions and how they have an impact on the environment.
Take Advantage of Windows and Blinds
In warm seasons, it’s important to keep windows and blinds closed to keep heat out and air-conditioned air inside. Similarly, in cooler months, opening window treatments can let in natural light and heat, reducing the strain on your heating system. Your children can be a part of this eco-friendly effort by helping to check the windows each day. Plus, this gives them an opportunity to learn about solar energy and how solar panels work.
Plant a Tree
Planting a tree in your yard can be a way for kids to take ownership of energy conservation and is a great outdoor activity that helps the environment. While a sapling will take time to grow, a tree can eventually provide shade, helping to keep your home cool and comfortable.
Choose the Right Electricity Provider
While younger kids may not be much help in choosing the right electricity provider for your home, older kids can help you with the math needed to compare energy plans. Whether you’re moving to Texas or simply looking for the best deal, explore the electricity plans available to you to find the best for your household and family.
Gexa Energy offers a variety of green energy plans designed to meet your home’s electricity needs, as well as solar energy plans and plans for EV owners. We provide customers with affordable options that take advantage of renewable energy benefits and help to make Texas greener. Contact us today to learn more about our electricity plans and find the right one for you.
