As residents statewide brace for higher electricity costs this summer, a group of Clarksville Middle School students have outlined ways to keep energy bills from spiraling out of control.
Turning off lights when not in use, unplugging appliances before leaving the home and using energy-efficient products can keep costs down, according to findings of a research project conducted by the nearly 50 sixth-graders.
“I?m now more careful about using electricity, and I remember to turn off the TV because it uses a lot of electricity,” said Morgan Fleming, 11 of Columbia.
“I always turn off the lights if I?m not using them,” said Jordan Tuwiner, 11, of Clarksville.
Since last fall, the students have participated in the Green School Project to investigate how energy is used and ways to conserve it. The project is supported by the Alliance to Save Energy, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that promotes energy-efficient initiatives.
The students? teacher, Sandy Vinje, said she applied the students? recommendations to her home and in her classroom.
She said her utility bill went from $108 to $56.
