Saving energy at home
Energy hero headquarters: Saving the planet, one light switch at a time!
Hey there, power pals! We're Pete and Megan, your official PowerHouse TV guides to becoming an energy superhero! Just like your favorite Power Chronicles characters, you too have the power to make a big difference, right at home.
But why save energy? Think of it like this: Our homes use energy all day, every day. There’s the fridge keeping your snacks cool. There are the lights in your room. But if everyone uses a lot of electricity all the time, our generating stations might not be able to keep up. We might need to build more generating stations, which is expensive and uses natural resources.
That's where YOU come in. By using energy wisely, you help make sure there’s enough for everybody – and help the Earth! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, increased energy efficiency lowers greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, and saves precious resources including water.
- Calling all adult sidekicks! Head over to the PowerHouse TV website to join Pete and Megan on their energy-saving adventures and learn how the whole family can become a superhero team.
- Are you ready to unleash your inner energy hero? Dive into the exciting world of the Power Chronicles graphic novels.
Let's turn off those unused lights and close the refrigerator door with super speed. Even the smallest actions can make a big impact!
It all adds up
Every year, we use more energy than we did the year before. In fact, the amount of energy Americans use has doubled about every 20 years.
All of that energy adds up, and much of it is wasted by using too much or not using it wisely.
Energy isn't free. The adults in your house pay for the all the electricity you use. So wasting energy is the same as wasting money – and we know that's not a good idea!
Wasting energy isn't good for the environment either. Many of the energy sources we depend on, like coal and natural gas, can't be replaced – once we use them up, they're gone forever. Another problem is that most forms of energy can cause pollution.
Top ten rules for saving energy
There are lots of easy ways to save energy at home, and all those energy-savers add up to a big impact on the environment.
To get started, try these top ten rules for saving energy . The adults in your house can help!
- Shut off the lights when you're done using them, and turn off the TV, computer, video games and other electrical stuff when you leave the room.
- Adjust the thermostat during the winter. Ask a adult to adjust the thermostat by 10 degrees cooler in the winter and 10 degrees warmer in the summer for eight hours a day.
- Don’t leave the refrigerator door open. Every time you open the door, up to one-third of the cold air can escape.
- Replace a burnt-out light bulb with an LED light bulb. LEDs use less energy and last longer than other types of bulbs.
- Remind adult to use cold water in the washing machine. Hot water won't get the clothes any cleaner, and it wastes a lot of energy.
- Fix dripping faucets. One drop per second can add up to 165 gallons of hot water a month - that's more than one person uses in two weeks!
- Take a short shower instead of a long bath. It might take 25 gallons of hot water to fill the bathtub, compared to only seven gallons for a quick shower.
- Close the curtains during hot summer days to block the sun. During the winter, keep the curtains open.
- Help an adult put plastic sheeting on windows. Blocking cold drafts is called "weatherizing" and it can save a lot of energy.
- Help your mom or dad plant a tree to help shade your house on hot summer days.
