Converting to a green home does not have to be a difficult or expensive venture. In a few simple steps, you can reduce your energy use and help improve the environment. Keep reading to discover how green energy can be used for your advantage, as well as making a permanent positive impact on the environment.
Choose solar-powered lights when installing outdoor lighting in your yard. They are inexpensive and don’t require electricity. This will end up saving you a lot of energy. Also, it will no longer be necessary to install wired outdoor lights.
You can cut your energy consumption by a lot if you just cut back on the electricity you use. Unplug alliances when they are not being used. Turn off all lights and televisions when they are not being used. This little tip will save you money in the long run.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren’t using them. Unplug your electronic devices when they are not being used or fully charged. This wastes energy otherwise.
If you are trying to conserve energy in the summer, be sure to keep your shades drawn to block out the sun. Both curtains and blinds will help keep the heat from the sun out of your home during the summer months. Less heat will be allowed in, and your summer air conditioner costs will be greatly reduced with just these two simply steps You will save energy and money.
Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. Cold water will do the job just as well; all you need is an effective clothes washing detergent. Another great tip is to always fill up the washer with a full load so that you’re being as efficient as possible.
You can save electricity by unplugging chargers when they are not in use. Whether you are charging your device or not, chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cellphones and other electronics keep drawing electrical power as long as they stay plugged in.
Cover your windows when you are away from home. This will help save energy. This simple act blocks the sun from entering and heating your house in the summer, while in the winter, it keeps the heat from escaping through drafty windows. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Try using coverings on all of the windows, such as dark curtains, roman shades, or some roller shades.
Check your furnace and air conditioning filters monthly. Clean or replace them as needed. Warm-air registers should also have filters installed on them. Register filters will help prevent debris increasing efficiency.
Solar hot water heaters are an excellent way to have lower costs on your hot water energy use. Consider investing in a hot-water system that runs off of solar energy. Two types are available, direct and indirect. Most individuals will find the indirect option to be their best choice, as this option has methods in place to alleviate the problem of pipes freezing in the coldest months of winter.
Whenever possible, you should use cold water to wash your clothes. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the amount of power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. Also, if you make use of the net usage plan from your electric company, you will get returns from your utility company for generating energy during summer.
Find out what energy options your community has available. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. For example, it might be wise to use natural gas instead of electric heat or water from the well rather than city water.
Keep your refrigerator in good condition. Refrigerators use a large amount of energy, so they should be taken care of to work their best. Regularly make sure the heating coils are dust-free. You should also be sure that the door has a clean and tight seal.
During summer, try drying clothes on a clothesline instead of the dryer. The sun gives your clothes a great smell. They will smell a lot fresher than being dried in the drier. Also, your utility bills will be greatly decreased.
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
It’s important to maintain your refrigerator properly. Refrigerators constantly use energy to maintain cooler temperatures. If it is not properly cared for, it will use much more energy than it needs to. The heating coils should be cleaned regularly to remove the accumulated dust. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
A good energy saving tip is to switch your boiler. Boilers that are more than a few years old were not made to conserve energy, while many modern boilers are quite efficient. Newer boilers help by producing less carbon dioxide as well as cut down the cost of your energy bill.
Storm doors and storm windows help to better control air flow in the home. This will reduce drafts, make your home more comfortable, and reduce your energy usage. Energy efficiency is increased by 45 percent in homes that have stormed doors and windows, which will save a lot of money on electricity.
A tankless water heater that heats water on-demand is a great energy saving device. Water heaters that are old-fashioned will constantly run, which in turn heats water when not needed, and this ends up wasting lots of energy. You’ll get hot water whenever you need it without having to wait for it to heat up. You’ll also save a lot of energy.
Passive Power
Look for appliances that have the Energy Star sticker or logo. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines from the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. Typically, these are the only appliances that one can get a tax rebate for.
There are active and passive options for solar energy systems. Active power can be stored for later use. Passive power must be utilized more quickly but no expensive storage cells are required. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.
For room that are heavily occupied, add motion detecting light sensors. These sensors will turn lights on and off automatically depending on if someone’s in the room, saving energy and money. Use these sensors on outdoor garage lighting, as well.
Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient. There are a variety of products, including eco-friendly doors and double-glazed windows that will make your home run far more efficiently. You cut your cooling and heating costs when you use these items as well.
When you leave your home or go to bed, set the thermostat at 60 degrees. If you heat is set at 60, you are not using much energy. This way, you are saving money and conserving energy.
If you can afford it, invest in a laptop rather than using a desktop as they tend to use more energy. This can cut up to 75% of your electrical use, especially if you are frequently on the Internet or using word processing software. Plus you can take your laptop anywhere.
Save money on heating and cooling costs with a digital programmable thermostat. You can program these thermostats differently depending on the season of the year. These thermostats regulate the temperature overnight and during the day according to your chosen settings.
Use e-mail over snail mail as much as possible. Use paper as little as you can. Reducing your consumption of paper saves energy on production costs, along with the costs of shredding documents in your home. In addition, it also protects the environment.
There are quite a few different ways to conserve energy when doing the laundry. You can begin by using the setting for moisture control that shuts off the dryer when clothes are dry. Make use of the high-spin speed in reducing the moisture in clothes. This will shorten your drying time. Every time you start a dryer load, make sure the filter and vents are clear of debris.
Save money and fuel by carpooling for errands as well as work and school. If you live in a neighborhood with lots of children, try setting up a ride-sharing service, where you trade rides with other parents in the neighborhood. Plan your shopping days to correspond with those of your friends. That way you can share a vehicle and the costs of fuel.
Save some money by looking into placing your freezer or refrigerator in a part of the house that is usually cooler. Placing them in a sunny location or directly in front of heating vents can increase the time that they need to run.
Even if you don’t agree that we should be concerned about global warming, you can still benefit from green energy technology. By making a couple small changes like turning off lights when not needed, can really help save you lots of money on your electric bill.
You may want to think about getting a dehumidifier. In the summer, humid air feels warmer on your skin than drier air. Try running the dehumidifier before turning on an air conditioner. The air conditioner can be more expensive to purchase, and uses more energy. You may find that you do not need the air conditioner as much as you originally thought.
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