Here’s a fun lesson to teach your children energy efficiency and help them earn a little spending money. Take a look at your electric bill at the start of the month with your kids, then tell them this: Whatever savings is earned based on the difference between your home’s energy usage in the current month and the coming month, the money will be theirs to keep! One easy way to reduce electricity usage is to use lights sparingly. Lighting accounts for around 12 percent of the typical residential electric bill. Keeping lights off when not in use is an easy thing for kids to do.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers are convenient and common in most homes, but they are also strains on the power grid. The best time to run these appliances is at night or first thing in the morning. The peak time for energy usage in most communities is between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; when too many people are running appliances and home air conditioning during these hours, it can often lead to blackouts. Run appliances during off-peak hours to save money and help lessen the strain on the grid.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When you’re using your oven to bake dinner for a crowd, one of the worst things you can do to affect the food and your utility bill is open the oven door unnecessarily. Ovens use a lot of energy to get hot, and every time you open the door, the temperature drops by about 25 degrees. When you close it, the oven uses more energy to get back up to the programmed temperature. This also can affect the final outcome of dishes -- especially baked treats. Use the oven light instead of opening the door to check on whatever you’re cooking.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION