Page last updated on 16th March 2026
From baby steps to big savings
We’ve teamed up with broadcaster and maths teacher, Bobby Seagull, to show how learning good energy habits as a child can add up to over £16,500 of savings over a lifetime.
How learning good energy habits from a young age can benefit you
Managing energy use is an important skill to have, and it’s never too early to start. Working with Energy Saving Trust, we found that learning simple energy-saving behaviours as a child could add up to savings of over £16,500 over a lifetime.
Energy Saving Trust analysed eight, age-aligned energy saving behaviours of children in the home. Examining each habit in more detail, the study considered when each behaviour is likely to be introduced across 5, 9, 13 and 16 years old, and the potential savings if the behaviours are continued over a lifetime.
The findings have shown that teaching small, energy efficient changes like turning off the TV if you’re doing something else (from age five), taking under four minute showers (from age nine), turning your bedroom radiator down before you go to school (from age 13) and only using a dishwasher on a full load (from age 16) could all add up to a lifetime of savings.
This is equal to nearly ten years of energy bills (based on Ofgem estimated annual energy bills of £1,738), a new electric vehicle or nearly two years of university tuition.
Watch: Bobby Seagull teaches children about saving energy
How can a smart meter help?
Four in five people with a smart meter say the in-home display has been key to teaching their children about energy use. Being able to track energy use in near-real time means you can easily see the result of changing energy habits, enabling a greater feeling of control over energy bills.
Smart meters are installed at no extra cost by your energy supplier, and those who have one estimate that it has lowered their energy costs by £176 per year, on average.
Know what you're spending
Having a much clearer picture of how much you've spent at any given time means you can plan your spending habits accordingly.
Budgeting made easier
Some in-home displays even allow you to set a daily budget, while others would require you to use the information displayed to manually calculate your daily budget.
Reduce your energy use
You can identify when you're using more (or less) energy and adjust your behaviour accordingly. For example, turning off appliances to find out which is using the most energy.
Energy-saving habits kids can start doing today
- Switch off the TV if you’re doing something else
- Choose a four minute song and finish your shower before it ends
- Turn the tap off while washing your hands
- Unplug your games console when you’re not using it
- Turn the radiator down before you go to school or go out
- Make sure all devices are turned off when not in use
- Wait until the dishwasher is full before turning it on
- Turn the room thermostat down by one degree
You may also be interested in...
*Research conducted by OnePoll from 7th – 14th August 2025 with 750 parents and 750 children aged six to 11.