Energy saving tips for kids

Saving energy doesn't have to be (too) boring. Here are some fun ways for you to save energy in your home

Two Song Shower

Did you know hot water is one of our biggest energy costs? Keep your showers under 6 minutes by singing your favourite 2 songs at the top of your lungs. Once the song is done, so is your shower. If you're still covered in soap, that's on you. At least you'll smell nice. 

No Power Hour

Why not challenge your family to turn everything off for a whole hour (or two!) - that means no lights, no TVs, no tablets, no phones, and definitely no computer games (maybe leave the fridge on, though). Do a puzzle, play some board games, or read a book by torchlight. If you're after some real fun, why not play hide-and-seek spotlight in the dark (That's where the seeker tries to find the hiders in the dark using only a torch to see) 

Vanquish vampires

Energy vampires suck electricity even when they're turned off or on standby. Unfortunately, garlic won't do anything to this type of vampire. When still plugged in, devices like gaming consoles, TVs, electric toothbrush, and phone chargers all keep sucking electricity from the socket. So unplug those undead bad guys to save.  

Be a draught detective 

A draught (pronounced 'draft') is when a little bit of air moves through a space, like a small breeze. Draughts find their way into your home through gaps in doors, windows, timber floors, fireplaces, really anywhere that leads outside. Draughts are bad because they let to warm air out and the cold air in. 

The best way to find a draught is to look, listen and feel!

Look for light coming through gaps in doors and windows - if light can get in, a cold draught could too. 

Listen for rattles and whistling noises especially when it's windy, it could mean a sneaky draught is finding its way inside.

Feel the edges of doors and windows with your hand to see if any air is getting in or hold a piece of paper towel or tissue over door and window gaps - if it moves, you may have detected a draught! 

Once you've detected all the draughts in the house, it's time to put a stop to them with things like draught stoppers or weather seal tape.

Fill your house with snakes

Not real ones! Make or buy draught stoppers (also called "snakes") to place at the bottom of doors and windows to keep the warm air in and the cold air out. You can make your own door snake by getting an old extra-long sock or stocking and filling it with rice. Stick some googly eyes on him and you've got a new (and useful) pet snake! 

Rug up, heat down

Wear warm clothes and use cozy blankets instead of turning up the heater. Just pretend you're on an Antarctic expedition. Make sure you keep the heater at 18-21°C. 

Be a winner for your dinner

Set up a competition board with those in your home. Every time you close a door, unplug an appliance, or turn off a light that someone else has left on, put a sticker next to your name. At the end of the month, the person with the most stickers gets to choose what to have for a special dinner. Sometimes victory is sweet; sometimes it tastes like pizza.

Gamify aurora+

If the adults at home have the aurora+ app, get them on board to save energy by challenging the whole house to use less electricity than the day or week before! You can compare your weekly usage in the app. Maybe you can even convince them to add the savings you make to your pocket money! 

Boring ways to save electricity

Are these tips boring? Yes. Will they make a difference? Also, yes.

• Turn off the lights when you leave a room.
• If you're not watching the TV: Turn. It. Off.
• Unplug your devices once they're charged.
• Shut doors to rooms that are not being used. 
• Place rugs on hard floors to keep your feet, and the room toasty. 
• Stop opening the fridge all the time, cake is not going to magically appear. 
• Use cold water to brush your teeth and wash your hands (hot water costs more money!)
• If your clothes are still clean, fold them up and wear them again. Don't waste power by washing clean clothes!

So, now you have all you need to start saving energy in your home! Good luck!