Students at Round Top-Carmine Elementary are learning how their families can save money on their utility bills by investigating how efficiently their own households use electricity. 

Students in Bonnie Pesch’s fifth-grade science class participated in the PowerHouse™ energy investigation program, which was developed by the Lower Colorado River Authority and sponsored locally by Fayette Electric Cooperative. 

“The PowerHouse program is awesome because we learned that the most energy efficient thermostat setting for the air conditioner during the summer is 78 degrees,” said RTC student William Keng. 

During the PowerHouse presentation, students learned how their personal behaviors affect energy use in their homes.  They became “energy detectives,” tracked their household habits and identified which of those were most likely to waste energy.  Then, students entered the data into a computer program that determined their impact on the environment.  The program also offered students practical solutions that could then be shared with their families. 

“PowerHouse is a great educational program.  My students learn from the presenters and have fun playing games at the same time,” said RTC science teacher Bonnie Pesch. 

PowerHouse participants learn how renewable and non-renewable electricity is produced, and the five steps that electricity takes to travel from the generation plant to their homes.  By evaluating their own energy-use habits, they see firsthand how wise choices can help their families save money and reduce their impacts on the environment.

“Students learn that simple changes, like using LED lighting and changing thermostats to energy efficient settings can help reduce their utility bills,” said FEC Marketing and Training Coordinator Catherine Poppe.