You've done everything you can to conserve energy in your house -- purchased the latest Energy Star appliances, insulated your walls, and turned your thermostat down to 68. But the next thing you know, your kids are leaving lights on in rooms they aren't occupying. Or staring into the refrigerator for minutes on end while all the cold air escapes through the open door. Or nudging the thermostat higher when you aren't looking. How can you convince your kids to help, not hinder, your efforts to cut down on energy usage?

Knowledge is Power

Your children can't make the effort to save energy if they don't know how. Help them start building good habits early, and make sure they’re aware of simple ways they can help lower the utility bills:

To save electricity:

To conserve water:

To keep your heating and cooling bills low:

What if They Don't Wanna?

Of course, every parent knows that telling your kid to do something doesn't mean it's going to happen. The trick is to get them to buy in. While one reason to conserve energy is to save money on your utility bills, children have a habit of taking mom and dad's money for granted, so that might not be your most persuasive argument.

Instead, try teaching them about how human reliance on fossil fuels is harmful to the environment -- but they can help make a difference. If your children have particular interests, like animals, you can tie the themes together -- tell them they can help protect animal habitats by doing their part to conserve energy.

Another trick is to give them a green light to correct you if you make a mistake like leaving the water running. That gives the kid some fun responsibility, and encourages them to be vigilant about your behavior -- which increases the likelihood they will be about their own.

Check out the Energy Star Kids program for more ideas on how to persuade your kids and get them excited about conservation, and for child-tailored activities to increase their knowledge and motivation. And remember, the best way to teach your kids how to conserve is to set a good example by doing it yourself.

The Backup generator installation cost is a concern for many who are thinking about getting an emergency power source installed. Many people, especially those that live in areas prone to natural disasters, would like to get a backup generator. However, they hesitate to pull the trigger when they think about the amount of money involved. The benefits of installing a backup generator are many and varied and often justify the backup generator installation cost for those at high risk of suffering a power outage. These advantages are more extensive than you might realize; so, we have laid them out for you in this article.

Some people think of backup generators as luxury items, but they can be lifesaving necessities. For example, a house in a frigid climate may lose electricity due to a severe snowstorm. If this happens, the homeowners will lose electric heating without a backup generator. A backup generator can prevent a life-threatening situation making the backup generator installation cost money well spent.

Other essential mechanisms need to keep running, like sump pumps and septic systems. Some homes even have a water system that is dependent on electricity. In addition, some people have medical devices powered by electricity. Obviously, a backup generator would be essential in this situation.

A backup generator could support other critical systems. For example, a home’s security system usually has a battery backup, but the batteries may run out in the event of an extended outage. This lack of power could be a real problem, as looting sometimes occurs in such situations. Though the worst probably won’t happen, if peace of mind is important to you, you should consider getting a generator to ensure safety.

In times of hardship, such as during a natural disaster, it is important to keep spirits up. A backup generator can provide a means to do this. It can power a TV or computer to allow entertainment and communication. The morale boost from having a link to the outside world can be vital, especially in an extended power outage. Of course, you shouldn’t use a backup generator primarily for such luxuries, but doing do sparingly can have a positive effect.

The digital age has made us especially reliant on technology - and electricity - for our entertainment, and most kids are even more plugged in than their parents. So when the power goes out, finding fun and engaging activities can be tough. Need some electricity-free activities the whole family can enjoy? Give these a try.

*Exercise caution when using candles as a light source