I remember when I was a child. I was convinced that my elderly, uncool, totally out-of-fashion parents were devoid of anything important that needed my undivided attention, yet alone any comprehension. (Sigh.) As a mother, I see that glazed-over look on my two tween-age sons’ faces whenever I start spouting off about important life issues that I want to share with them. But sometimes, just sometimes, there are these magical moments when I realize – they really WERE listening and better yet, they GET IT!
For most of their precious little lives I have been trying to teach them about saving money, spending wisely, conserving what is limited and preserving what we have. Usually I just tell myself that they may not get it now, but when they grow up they will remember (typically I chant this under my breath as I turn out lights in empty rooms, shut of iPods not being used or close the front door while the AC is running.)
Just the other day, though, my younger son presented me with a bright shiny green pearl (of wisdom). Had it been May it could have been the best Mother’s Day gift ever. I was so proud of him and I now realize that my children, albeit resistant to my green teachings, truly do understand and want to be a part of saving the planet – and our budget. He came up with what I thought was a genius way to save a little electricity during the summer.
I innocently asked the boys if they’d showered. Expecting nothing more than grumbles, they surprised me with yeses. Even more surprising was my 10-year old’s explanation. He said that he took a cold shower. Naturally I wondered why. He told me that when the weather is hot enough outside it feels good to be in cold water – like at the pool.
Okay, I can sort of see that.
Then he went on to enlighten me further. When he takes a cool or cold shower, he said, the bathroom mirror doesn’t steam up and he won’t have to run the vent to clear it up, which saves a good 5-10 minutes of electricity for each shower.
Quick calculations: four of us in the house means probably about 14 showers a week. That’s about 100 minutes less of electricity for the bathroom fan. It may not save a bundle on utility bills, but I was so proud of him. He didn’t realize it but he saved electricity in another form as well. By not using hot water in his shower, he isn’t running electricity via the hot water heater either.
It’s a small thing, I know, but when children start to think about the bigger picture, they can really come up with some amazingly creative ideas.
I love that he thought that through.
It’s so important for us not just to starting living in smarter, more eco-friendly ways but to share those thoughts with the children. They are awesome at coming up with new ways to accomplish goals and the more involved we allow them to be the more it becomes an ingrained way of life for them.
Here are a few more simples ways to cut back even just a little energy this summer:
1) Turn the AC setting up 3 degrees when you go to bed,
2) Close AC vents in rooms you don’t use much or care how warm they get and close the door to that room,
3) If you like background noise, use an iPod or radio instead of the television,
4) If you have the time, instead of using a hair dryer, put curlers in (not always as cute on the guys),
5) Have one night a week where you don’t use any kitchen appliances to cook dinner, instead grill outside, make a dinner salad, sub sandwiches or some other cold and clever creation.
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You should not close vents to rooms. It causes your furnace to work harder and will force air out any leaks under the house.
Actually, it's my understanding that as long as you don't shut off the room that the thermostat is in the furnace will work less as it will only be working hard enough to cool the area around the thermostat to the set temperature. With other vents and doors closed it will take less time for the temperature to reach the desired setting, thereby turning the AC off more often.
Leaks under the house are definitely a concern – in any matter. If this is something you are experiencing then you are having heating and cooling loss no matter what you do. A professional should definitely be called in to deal with those sorts of situations.