Lessening the amount of energy sources that run your home can be a lot simpler than you think. With a few simple changes and perhaps some bigger ones, you can lower your carbon footprint while cutting down on energy costs. This article contains tips and suggestions to help you get started saving energy.
Lower heating costs with solar heating systems for your pools or hot tubs. Heating your water with natural gas or electricity is inefficient. However, solar water is inexpensive and more efficient. In the United States there are many tax deductions for energy efficient green products.
Keeping your windows shaded to keep sunlight out of the house will greatly conserve energy. Closing your blinds and curtains will keep out the sun in summer and keep heat from escaping in winter. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You will save energy and money.
Some government money is available to assist consumers with switching to renewable energy. Check out your local government so that you can see what type of programs are available in your area. For instance, you might find that installation of wind or solar structures is free, or you might see a tax benefit by installing a tankless water heater.
Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. Wearing lighter colors will also help, because they tend to reflect light.
Check monthly to determine if your furnace’s filters need cleaning and replace them yearly. Warm-air registers can also benefit from filters. This will help keep debris from clogging up heating ducts and becoming inoperable.
Government grants are available to help consumers invest in renewable energies. Contact local government and discover the programs that exist locally. There might be programs in your area that can allow you to install solar or wind energy solutions for free or with taxable deductions if you qualify for them.
Wash clothes with cold water. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. Using a quality detergent means it is unnecessary to use hot water. Also, make sure your load is a full one so you do not waste energy washing several small loads.
Start paying attention to your energy consumption. Unplug the charger for your iPod and XBox when they are not in use. Chargers used for cell phones, laptops, mp3 players and other electronic devices use power when they’re plugged in, even if they aren’t charging your device.
If you heat your home with fuel, talk to a technician about using biodiesel. Many heating systems can be switched over to run on biodiesel without needing extra modifications or parts. Bio-diesel is more efficient and burns cleaner than conventional petroleum, which in turn, reduces the environmental impact from your home during the winter.
It is important to clean your furnace filter on a regular basis to be sure you are using as little energy as possible heating your home. If your air intakes and registers do not have filters, take the time to install them. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This helps to keep your house at a cooler temperature and lower the amount of energy used. Generally, your home’s south-facing walls and windows receive the most sun exposure. Dark curtains, roller or roman shades can cover windows well.
A solar water heater may be a viable option in your home. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. But, be sure to keep a regular water heater for a backup should the sun not come out or for times that you need large amounts of hot water.
Know the available energy options in your community. Compare costs, and keep in mind that new legislation exists which will sometimes reward you for using renewable energy sources. You may find that natural gas will be better for your home than electric, or that well water is an available alternative to city water.
One great way of conserving energy is to ensure the dishwasher is only turned on when full. Running it with half loads is wasteful. It will likely surprise you how much you can actually put into your dishwasher when you load it properly. Align the dishes so several can fit inside.
If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Running it with half loads is wasteful. If you do this, you’ll become used to filling the dishwasher with as many dishes as you can. Take care to line up your dishes, so you are able to put in as many as you can.
Never run a dishwasher that is partly empty. It consumes the exact same amounts of electricity and water even if it’s not full. When you do run the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which will allow your dishes to air-dry.
Dishwashers that are not full when run, are not making efficient use of your energy. Dishwashers do not allow for minimizing water or power consumption. It is the same, full or not. When running the dishwasher, turn on the setting for energy conservation.
When you have a solar energy system installed, ensure that the batteries that hold the power are situated in close proximity to the cells. Power can be lost in long cables so this will reduce this possibility. You also will not have to worry about the cells being shaded by a cable and not producing as much energy as they could.
A solar energy array can be the cheapest way to getting your hot water. Solar hot-water systems can reduce your energy bills significantly. You have a choice between both an indirect or direct circulation system. For colder regions,indirect is a better option.
To help prevent drafts, install storm doors and storm windows. They will help prevent cold air drafts in your home. Energy efficiency increases by 45% in houses that contain stormed windows and doors, which could save you lots of money when it comes to electricity.
When you plan a solar system for your home, try calculating what the energy generation of your system will be when you use hours worth of sun in the winter. This will guarantee that you will have energy no matter what the weather brings, and it will result in a surplus during the summer. If you generate excess energy during the summer, with the right plan, your utility company will send you a check!
If you are a fan of green living and green energy, try using your electric heaters as little as possible during the winter. Instead, wear multiple layers, slippers and socks, or even consider investing in a stove or fireplace. Remember, cooler air during sleep is better for breathing, and keeps the airways from drying out.
The batteries should be located near the solar energy cells when the system is being set up. This prevents power from getting lost in the cables. The cable will also be less likely to shade the cells, something that can lessen their capability of generating energy.
Energy Star
Maintaining your refrigerator is an easy way to save energy. With the fridge being a top energy consumer in the home, maintenance is important for efficiency. Make sure you clean out any dust from around heating coils. Make sure the door seal is clean and also tight.
One simple way to spot energy-efficient appliances is to check for an ENERGY STAR logo. Appliances that designate themselves as being ENERGY STAR compliant are those that have met guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy in addition to the Environmental Protection Agency. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
Save energy by buying products that conserve energy. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy. This will reduce both your home’s heating and cooling bills.
Ceiling fans can help keep your home warm during the winter months. By switching them to clockwise rotation, you can use them to push warm air down from the ceiling where it pools, reducing the demands on your furnace or other heating appliance. The energy you will save from not having to use the furnace as much will cover what you need for the fan.
Keep the heat as low as you can, unless you absolutely have to raise it. If it’s a bit chilly, try wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. You use a lot of wasted energy when you have heat levels turned up too high.
Get a greener home by making more responsible light usage a priority. During times of the year when the days are longer, keep light usage to certain times of the day. You can use dimmers, which reduces light usage, and you can use timers and/or sensors to make sure any unnecessary lights are turned off when someone exits the room.
Use your electric company to help you get started making your home a more energy-efficient place. Many utility companies have tools on their websites that will help you see how much energy you use, right down to the hour, as well as, ways to reduce your electric consumption and energy costs. Look into programs that help you buy energy-efficient appliances.
If your home isn’t suitable for full solar paneling or other sources of renewable energy, maybe you can power some areas using this type of technology. For instance, maybe you can get solar panels that just heat the water in your home.
Always maintain modern, energy-efficient windows at home. You’ll not only see a reduction in your energy bill, but you will also reduce carbon dioxide, condensation on the inside of your windows and a reduction of outside noise in your home.
Demand Green Energy
Making your home greener doesn’t have to involve a huge investment of time or money; it can be as easy as changing out your lightbulbs. Simple, small tasks can save you tons of money and reduce your energy use. Start out with one small, simple project.
Demand green energy technologies, and help to lower their cost. The rational behind this is simple, the more people demand green energy options the less expensive they will become. Economies of scale mean that the more companies produce green technologies, the lower the cost to produce each individual unit. Manufacturers will also be encouraged to upgrade their production practices if they want to remain profitable.
To keep your house war, check your insulation. If your house is more than 30 years old, it probably needs a lot more insulation. Insulation will keep your house warm in winter months which will help decrease heating costs.
Use the ideas laid out here and apply them to your daily home life. It will help you save a significant amount of money on your energy bill, and allow you to contribute more to the environment. Work at it little by little and before you realize it, your house will be green!
Think about changing to energy-efficient lighting. More efficient bulbs, such as compact fluorescent or LED styles, do cost more, but can pay for themselves in the energy they save. They provide enough lighting while using less energy. By using this type of bulb, you can make your home more energy-efficient.
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