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New research indicates that children who adopt energy-saving habits could slash over £16,500 from their lifetime bills. The Energy Saving Trust reached this figure by examining the impact of being more mindful of everyday habits such as switching off appliances and reducing shower times.

The study showed how small changes can result in significant savings. For example, teaching children aged five and above to turn off the TV could save more than £942, while encouraging those aged nine and older to limit showers to under four minutes could potentially save £1,447.

The research also discovered that asking those aged 13 and up to lower their bedroom radiator before school could cut lifetime costs by over £930. Furthermore, instructing teenagers from age 16 to only operate the dishwasher when full could lead to an estimated saving of £720 throughout adulthood.

The most substantial saving comes from teaching a child to reduce the thermostat by one degree, which could yield a saving of £5,937 over time. Combined, these habits could equate to nearly a decade's worth of energy bills, based on Ofgem's estimated annual average of £1,738.

A survey commissioned by Smart Energy GB, involving 750 parents with children aged six to 11, revealed that 78 per cent already encourage their children to conserve energy at home.

The most common practices include turning off lights in empty rooms, unplugging appliances, and air-drying laundry. Additionally, 82 per cent of parents with smart metres believe the in-home display helps youngsters see energy usage in real time.

Maths teacher and broadcaster Bobby Seagull said: "As a teacher, I see first-hand the importance of learning how your actions impact the world and people around you, whether in the classroom or at home.

"The positive things young people learn and adopt as everyday habits can have a major impact on our world, and all add up over a lifetime. It's incredible to see how dedicated parents are when teaching their kids energy-saving skills and even better that there's tools like smart meters around to help them."

Regarding environmental consciousness, nearly all parents (98 per cent) consider it vital to educate children about how their behaviour affects the planet. The most popular eco-conscious lessons include instruction on recycling, repurposing materials and reducing water consumption.

A quarter of mothers and fathers stated that fostering sound energy-saving practices carries equal weight to learning culinary skills, internet safety, and tyre replacement.

The OnePoll research, which also questioned 750 children aged six to 11, found that eight in 10 enjoy conserving energy - with respondents describing it as 'fun' (21 per cent) and 'important' (74 per cent).

Famous figures are also inspiring the younger generation, with Sir David Attenborough (40 per cent), Greta Thunberg (22 per cent) and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall (22 per cent) ranking among their heroes.

Victoria Bacon, director at Smart Energy GB, said: "Managing energy is a valuable life skill and it's great to see so many households encouraging the whole family to get involved in learning positive energy habits.

"The changes don't have to be big to make an impact. Even small things, like using a smart meter and in-home display to track your energy use can add up to noticeable savings."