Wasting energy can be a very expensive and harmful habit. In households today, one of the most common forms of energy used is electricity. Electricity for a home can be produced in several different ways, some better than others. Some towns burn coal, oil or natural gas to create heat that is turned into electricity; some use solar power and some even use the power of rivers turning giant turbines (hydroelectric power) to create electricity. Regardless of how the energy is created, wasting it is expensive and can be harmful to the planet. Here are some facts about energy conservation and what you can do to save power:
• Don’t leave lights on in empty rooms.
• Don’t leave the refrigerator door open.
• Use cold water in the washing machine.
• Take colder and shorter showers.
• Close curtains on hot days to block the sun.
• Don’t leave things turned on and plugged in.
• Turn the air conditioning up just a few degrees.
• Only use washers, dryers and dishwashers if they are full.
• Don’t leave chargers plugged in.
Two types of ways to create energy exist: renewable and non-renewable. Renewable energy is made from resources that don’t run out, like wind, sunlight and water. These are generally better for the environment, though being wasteful with the power is still very expensive. Non-renewable energy is created by resources that cannot be replaced. Burning coal, oil and gas is nonrenewable energy, and this is the most common way to produce electricity. Wasting energy that is produced by non-renewable resources is expensive and also bad for the environment. Burning these non-renewable resources pollutes the environment, and if we use too much, one day we will run out. Using electricity responsibly will help to keep the planet healthy and make sure there is power in the future.
For more information, visit the following sites:
www.eia.gov/kids/
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=kids.kids_index
www.energyquest.ca.gov/saving_energy/
www.alliantenergykids.com/EnergyandTheEnvironment/SavingEnergy/022391
