If you have considered green energy for a while, but are not sure where to begin, read on. Do you think it costs a fortune to invest into green energy? Don’t worry about what’s happened before today, just read this article and concentrate on what’s ahead for you, your home, and the environment.
Outdoors, solar-powered lights are very convenient for patios and garden paths. These lamps are very cheap, as they require no external power source, just the sun. They also save energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.
Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. Adding filters to your warm-air registers is not a bad idea, either. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.
Solar panels that collect solar energy to be used are easy to have installed at your home. Before you do this, you should research just a few things first. What you need to know first is how much of the sun does your home generally receive? If you home is under a lot of shade, or in an area where you do not have a lot of sunny days, the power gained from your solar unit will not be very significant.
When determining the economical impact of a PV solar system, be sure to run a calculation using the hours of winter sunlight. When you do this, you understand how much you should be consuming on a daily basis during winter, and you won’t become surprised one day. If your plan is contingent on net usage, you will even get money back from your utility company because of the excess energy you are creating!
When you can, wash your laundry in cold water. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. As long as your detergent is good, cold water washing can be just as effective as warm water. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to put in the washer.
When implementing a solar energy system, put the batteries as close to the cells as possible. No power will be lost during the transfer from the cells to the batteries by doing this. It also reduces shading of the solar shells. Shading reduces solar panel energy generation.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This keeps your house cool and your energy costs down when you’re not there. Usually the windows with the most sun are the one’s which face south. Dark, lined curtains, roman shades or roller shades may be something to consider using on your windows.
Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. One of the most popular products to increase the energy efficiency of your home are double-pane windows that have received a high energy star rating. These kinds of products can cut down dramatically on your cooling and heating costs.
Find out about various energy sources that are available in your area. Compare costs, and keep in mind that new legislation exists which will sometimes reward you for using renewable energy sources. You might find that you could save money by switching from an electric furnace to a natural gas one, for instance, or from using municipal water to your own well water.
Opt for emails over paper whenever possible; get on no-mail lists for catalogs and junk mail. Go paperless with any company that has the option. You and the businesses you deal with can both save energy and money by going paperless. In addition, it will help protect the environment for all.
If you’re not using an appliance, turn it off. For example, if you are not in a certain room, turn off the lights, TV or computer. Power strips are handy, because you can turn a number of devices off with the flip of one switch.
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. You can make these with boxes, old windows or old pieces of foil that can be used for reflection. The internal temperature of these easy-to-build ovens can top 300 degrees, and they do not require any energy besides the sun’s rays.
Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. Consider a solar water heater. Research the benefits of an indirect versus direct circulation system. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt are both tools that help to monitor energy consumption. All you need to do is plug the item in question into the device to find out how much energy it uses in an hour. This way, you will know how much that appliance costs you, and you can adjust your usage or settings accordingly.
Keep your refrigerator well maintained. 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. Use your duster to clean around your heating coils on a regular basis. In addition to that, make the seal near the door clean and tight.
In order to cut down on fuel usage, you should consider using carpooling not only for work, but for other activities too. If you are a parent, carpool with other adults. If you love in close proximity to family members or friends, try to synchronize your shopping trips with them, and you can each take turns driving.
Increase your energy efficiency by making use of the right products that are designed for a greener environment. Installing efficient windows and doors, window coverings, and insulation are just some of the ways to save big. You cut your cooling and heating costs when you use these items as well.
Use the microwave when you can in order to save on energy consumption. Cooking in the oven or on the stove top uses a lot of energy. So, whenever you can “nuke” something in the microwave, take advantage of it and tremendously cut down the energy output.
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. They will let you know how costly your appliances are, and they can give a detailed estimate on how much the costs will be to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
When purchasing anything made from wood, look for bamboo options. Bamboo serves as a green replacement for wood. Though it is a grass, it has much more strength and durability than many commercial woods. Since it grows so quickly, it can cheaply and efficiently be made into all kinds of home goods without damaging the environment. This saves energy, as bamboo is easy to produce and can be recycled.
Use LED lights to decorate for the holidays instead of traditional strand lights. According to a report from the U.S. A study by the Department of Energy needs everyone to make this change. That much electricity could power at least 200,000 home for a whole year. An additional benefit to using LED lights is the savings you will receive on your electric bill.
Ask your electric company for tips and advice on how to cut your electric bill. Utility providers often have the option to buy your energy from renewable resources. Also look into any rebate programs which can help offset the cost of purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
Replace your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. To receive an Energy Star rating from the government, appliances must meet minimum efficiency standards, unlike the non-rated appliances you may currently own. Refrigerators and freezers that are Energy Star rated uses approximately twenty percent less energy. While dishwashers and washing machines can save up to fifty percent on energy bills.
If possible, switch the old windows in your home with newer, energy-efficient ones. Not only will you reduce your energy bills, you will enjoy a much quieter home. You will also have a lot less condensation, resulting in less mold growth and water damage.
A good, old common sense tip for saving energy is turning off the lights as you leave the room. Turning off the lights will save a surprising amount of energy. An additional benefit is the money you save on your monthly power bill.
60 Degrees
Although turning off lights or electrical equipment that is not being used seems like an obvious change to make, many people don’t remember to do this. This simple action can save anyone a lot of money on monthly bills. Make a conscious effort to ensure your lights and appliances are switched off when not being used.
Reducing your thermostat to 60 degrees when the house is vacant will save you more energy than you may think. Setting the thermostat to 60 degrees will help cut energy usage. The result is lower energy consumption and cost.
If you spend the additional money to purchase green appliances and electronics, over a period of time it will pay off. Energy savings, coupled with monetary savings, will make the investment worthwhile over the longer term. It also results in long-lasting environmental benefits.
Heat each room separately to save heating costs. A good way to get that done is to use floor heating that has a main board for allowing you to set a certain temperature in different areas. This is especially convenient and effective in larger homes.
Look for appliances that have the Energy Star sticker or logo. The ENERGY STAR guidelines are set by the U.S. Department of Energy plus the EPA. ENERGY STAR products are useful for tax credits.
Install a programmable thermostat. This can help save money and energy. They include automatic programs to keep your heating and cooling use low. Additionally, you can set them to adjust and control the temperatures during daytime and nighttime periods.
Try setting your heat at 61 degrees or less when you aren’t home, or when you have retired for the night. At this temperature your home uses very little energy. The resulting effect is energy usage cuts and money saved.
There are a lot of things you can do to save energy when you wash your laundry. For example use the moisture sensor on your dryer; once the laundry is dry the dryer will automatically shut off. Using the high-spin speed will reduce the moisture in clothing and decrease the time needed for drying. Make sure you clean out the filters in the dryer and check for any blockages in the vent.
Try to be proactive, and take your frozen foods out early and allow them time to thaw in the fridge. You will thaw your food in a safer manner and your fridge will not have to work hard with the frozen items inside. This could lower your total energy usage.
So how do you go about altering things at home so that green energy can be put to good use? This article has given you the answer, but you have to start applying the techniques laid out here. So begin as soon as possible, you’re sure to appreciate the results.
If you cannot get a renewable energy source, like solar energy, to provide power to your entire home, try seeing if you can get it installed to power some of your home. You can use solar panels to heat water, for example.
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