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Fun Energy Games
Ready to go on a Quest?
An Energy Quest, that is. Log onto the Energy Quest website to explore the world of energy and how you can make a difference every day.
Vampires?? Where??
Sure vampires are popular, but have you ever heard of an energy vampire? You know, the things around the house that suck up electricity like crazy. Learn more about these creatures from TVAKids.com by clicking here. Remember, these energy vampires just don't come out at twilight!
More of a TinkerBell Person than a Vampire One?
You can have your game, too. The U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has some extra-special fun. And you might learn a little more about saving valuable energy! Click here.
Ready for More Fun, Recycling-Style?
The EPA is challenging all kids to help the people of Dumptown. Can you help them turn their backward town around? Yes? Then click here to visit Recycle City.
What? That's not Enough? You want MORE Fun?
Phew. You are hard to keep up with.Okay, good thing our friends at the Energy Information Administration have some great games and activities for kids and their entire families. Let the games begin here!
Speaking of Games …
Do you know that your video game system is an energy hog? While you're busy chomping up enemies, your gaming system is busy chomping up the electricity.
Consider this fun fact... according to the National Resources Defense Council, video game systems consume 16 billion kilowatt-hours annually, about the same amount of electricity used to power San Diego for year.
More than 40 percent of homes have video game systems and many of those video games systems remain on all the time. (For anyone that wants to read the entire NRDC report, it's right here.)
So, how can you save energy while saving the kingdom? Here are some tips from Discovery's Planet Green's 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network:
- Turn Off the Console When Not in Use
By simply turning off the video game console, you can save gobs of energy. An Xbox or a Playstation 3 left on 24/7/365 uses as much energy as two modern fridges. - Use the Power Saver Mode
If you have a Playstation or Xbox, you can reduce the energy use of these consoles by digging around the menus and finding the auto-power down option. Playstation 3 didn't add this option until fall 2008. - Don't Watch Movies on Your Game System
Watching a Blu-Ray movie on the Playstation 3 uses 5 times more power than watching it on a standard Blu-Ray player. - Dispose of Mangled Systems Properly
If your system breaks or gets stepped on and cannot be repaired, never throw the system into the garbage. Most modern video game systems contain toxic chemicals, such as beryllium, bromine and phthalates. Make sure to dispose of it with other hazardous materials. Local used video game stores or fix-it shops may be able to take the broken machine off your hands and cannibalize materials from it.
Most video game companies are in the process of making their systems without or with less of these chemicals or have plans to do so.