Don’t sweat the afternoon heat this summer. That’s what TXU Energy says to parents, summer school teachers, camp counselors and more than 6 million children living in Texas who are likely to retreat indoors when the summer’s afternoon temperatures make it uncomfortable — or just plain too hot — to play outside.  The company launched a free online resource for kids via txu.com/kidspower that provides videos, activities and other fun ways to learn about conserving electricity and saving money this summer and all year long

The new energy activity hub for kids shares bright ideas for kids about electricity and conservation. It includes videos showing simple ways to save energy and money at home, a number of riddles, puzzles and quizzes and an at-home energy audit for kids to help them find out just where families are wasting electricity around the house. It includes curriculum about solar energy, lesson plans for teachers or parents and a number of interactive activities. It also provides a how-to guide for building a solar oven out of a pizza box and science fair project ideas.

"Finding activities and games that my kids can play indoors is a necessity in the Texas summer heat," said Holly Homer, Dallas-area mom blogger who partially home schools her three boys during the school year.  "My main goal during the summer is to keep the kids active and wear them out, but there will be days that are just too hot for outside activities.  If I can find things to do indoors that sneak in a little learning, it is a bonus." 

According to the ERCOT Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy (SARA) for summer 2012, the weather in Texas will be warmer and drier than the 15-year historical average but less extreme than 2011. And, if ERCOT calls for conservation during summer afternoons this year, TXU Energy advocates using an unplugged, fully charged laptop or tablet device to access the online activities during peak electricity consumption hours between 3 and 7 p.m. For more energy savings tips, go to txu.com/tips.

 
About TXU Energy
TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retail electricity provider, powering the lives of more Texans than any other retailer. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004.