LCRA's POWERHOUSE energy investigation program teaches middle school students and their families about the effects of energy use on natural resources and the environment. Utilities sponsor the program for schools within their service areas.

Through POWERHOUSE, students get a hands-on understanding of energy consumption by becoming energy "detectives." Using a walk-through guide, students investigate and record their households' energy-using features. The results of their investigation are entered into the POWERHOUSE software program, which analyzes the data and produces a personalized report showing patterns of energy use and some energy-saving tips. Finally, back in the classroom students review their personalized home energy reports, play games, and take part in an interactive review of the program information.

Since introducing the program in 1998, the POWERHOUSE investigation program has taught 36,865 middle school students how to use less energy and save natural resources, thanks to POWERHOUSE presentations in 48 schools with 28 wholesale customer sponsors.

For more information, see POWERHOUSE.