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Saving energy simply explained
When it comes to saving energy, it depends on every member of the family
.
How can we save energy in everyday family life?
Saving energy starts at home. Everyone can join in, everyone must join in. Because saving energy in everyday life is a family matter. There are many ways to save energy in the household.
What actually is energy?
Energy is not something your child can see or touch. The electricity comes from the socket, the heating is turned up and the gasoline for the car flows from the gas pump. But all this energy must first be elaborately produced from coal, gas, oil, wind, water, sunlight and heat. Some supplies of basic materials are in short supply. The production of energy from the basic materials, as well as the transport to bring the energy to us, also cost a lot of money.
Explain to your child in an age-appropriate way what "energy" actually is and why it should be saved:
With the war in Ukraine, we have become aware of how dependent we are on gas. Not only gas, but also oil, coal, electricity and wood are scarce resources and not infinitely available.
When energy becomes scarce, prices rise. Higher energy costs put a strain on the family budget.
Saving energy helps a lot with the important issue of climate protection: air and water also remain cleaner. This is good for the environment and slows climate change.
At a glance: Energy-saving tips in the home for the whole family
Light off in rooms where no one is
.
Use energy-saving light bulbs
.
Turn off electrical appliances completely when not in use. Standby mode uses more power than you think
.
Keep doors and windows closed
.
Keep refrigerator open as briefly as possible
.
Use lids
when cooking.
If something is boiling, turn down the temperature and turn it off completely in time. The plate usually heats for another five to ten minutes after
.
On some stoves, the hob still heats up for five to ten minutes. Therefore: if something is boiling, turn down the temperature and turn off completely in time
.
Use the kettle to bring water to a boil
.
When washing dishes in the sink: use detergent sparingly and do not let the water get too hot. Dishes will get clean when using detergent even at low temperature
.
Dishwasher only turn on when it is fully loaded; select economy program
.
Short showers, no more than five minutes, instead of bathing
.
Turn off the water
when soaping up.
The same goes for washing your hands: Water off when using soap
.
When brushing teeth, turn off the water while brushing
.
Washing clothes: 40 degrees is enough to wake the laundry clean. Boil laundry is usually not needed at all
.
Save water: Gather laundry until enough is accumulated for a full machine
Air dry laundry instead of tumble dry
.
Check which laundry items really need ironing. Better: smooth out laundry and hang it up so that it does not need to be ironed. Ironing consumes a lot of electricity
.
Put on a sweater or cardigan and thus heat less. Already 1 degree less saves a lot of energy
.
Always keep windows and doors well closed. If they are not tight, touch up
.
Stoßlüften: about 10 minutes open the window wide. Turn down heating during
.
Plug out at TV and game console, if nobody looks or plays. About it can save a lot of money
.
In the garden: collect rainwater and use it for watering.
.
If possible, do without the car. Instead:
Walking
.
Taking the bike
-Riding a scooter
Use
public transportation.
Take beverages with you on the go in reusable bottles
Use bread cans, avoid plastic packaging
Buy notebooks and writing pads made of environmental protection paper
Prefer food from the region and thus avoid long and costly transport routes.
Eat less meat and sausage.
Learning to save energy through play
Many things can be learned more easily through play and on top of that is fun for the whole family. Here are suggestions for games you can play together with your child:
Becoming Energy Detectives: Our household appliances consume different amounts of electricity. How about a detective game to see how much electricity actually consumes which device? It goes like this: Take together your household under the magnifying glass and look for the energy guzzlers. Write down the meter reading before and after the use of a device and compare which device consumes how much.
.
The energy-saving game: Just switch off: An online game from "planet-schule" for to learn and check their own knowledge. Suitable for people from 9 years, but quite challenging also for higher age groups. www.planet-schule.de
The "House of Little Scientists" foundation is sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and offers tips on saving energy with children.
There is a free learning app for students in grade 3 and 4 of elementary school. More information about "Potz Blitz! Meine Stromwerkstatt" can be found on the website of the Haus der kleinen Forscher.
Für einen nachhaltigen Umgang mit dem Klima und der Umwelt werben vier Kinderbücher, die auf dem Portal energieland2050 des Kreises Steinfurt kostenlos heruntergeladen werden können:
