It’s important to keep our environment clean and resources abundant for future generations. Green energy use is not only cost effective, but it can help you to make a positive contribution towards a cleaner environment. In this article, you will find a few ways to use green energy in your own home.
Making small adjustments to the way you use energy every day can ultimately reduce your consumption. Unplug alliances when they are not being used. Turn off lights, television sets and other small appliances when you are done using them. This is an easy, money-saving tip.
TIP! Switch to solar heating systems for water to lower your cost of indoor water. Using gas or electricity to heat water isn’t efficient.
You can conserve energy by shading your windows from sunlight. Do this by installing blinds or curtains. If you do both of these it will cool your house down so you won’t have to use as much air conditioning in the summer. In addition to conserving energy, you will be able to save money.
Instead of using your air conditioner in the summer, try to wear fabrics that are natural. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Also, choose lighter colors. Darker colors absorb heat, which makes you feel warmer, meaning you’ll set your thermostat lower.
The government has grants available to those who are willing to invest in alternative renewable energies. To find out which programs are available in your area contact your local government. You may qualify for a free installation or a tax deduction.
TIP! Shading windows from sunlight whelps to save energy. Use curtains or blinds as an alternative.
Do you live on a farm? You could rent a small portion of your property to an energy company willing to install a wind turbine. The turbine will provide free energy to you and close neighbors, and won’t take up much space.
When planning a home solar system, calculate the potential energy generation of the system using hours of sunshine in the winter. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it can leave you ahead in the summer. You may even get rebates from your utility company in summer months if you sign up for net usage and use solar panels.
Active Solar
TIP! Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel.
Do some research and learn about passive and active solar powers. Passive solar systems are less expensive but cannot store energy like active solar systems do. Active solar power requires solar panels, cells, and mechanical systems. While passive simply uses the sun in storing thermal energy in your walls in order to heat your house.
Desktop computers require a lot of energy, so why not opt for a laptop? It can mean a savings of up to seventy-five percent on the electricity if you are a frequent Internet user or if you use word-processing software. Since laptops are portable, you can use them anywhere.
Solar Oven
TIP! You can get a grant from the government to help you invest into some renewable energy. Check out your local government so that you can see what type of programs are available in your area.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. A solar oven can be made by using an old window, a box and for reflection, a piece of foil. They don’t use any outside energy and can get up to 300 degrees.
There are a lot of things you can do if you want reduce your environmental footprint on the planet. Perhaps you don’t have money to spend on making your home more green, but it is possible to start by maintaining smaller things, like clean filters and regulated temperatures. Setting your water heater to 120 F will also be an energy saver. The little things add up.
Leave yourself reminder notes to decrease energy usage, and frequently compare past bills with current ones to see if you’re making strides. You can reduce your energy use just by being aware of what you are spending. If you form good habits of cutting your electric or water usage, turning off appliances and lights when not in use becomes automatic.
TIP! Become a better energy consumer, and save electricity in your home by unplugging chargers for your electronic devices when you are not using them. 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.
You can use bio-fuels to heat your house. Biofuels contain wood, oil and fat. Propane furnaces can be changed to use multiple fuels. This would be about 20-99 percent biodiesel. Always consult with professionals prior to using this type of fuel in the home.
Carpooling for work and school activities can cut down on fuel usage. If you have kids, set up a carpool system in your neighborhood and trade off days with other parents. Join with friends and family to do grocery shopping, visit the mall or even go to the movies.
Install a water-saving toilet. It’s estimated that as much as fifty percent of your water usage comes from the toilet. A traditional toilet uses up to 5 gallons for each flush of the toilet, but the newer models use as little at 1.6 gallons, which is a savings of 3.4 gallons with each flush.
Energy Star
Look for appliances that have the Energy Star sticker or logo. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines from the U.S. Energy Department and those of the EPA. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
Ceiling fans should also be used in the winter. Switch them to go clockwise and they will help push the warm air down, reducing demands on your heating fixture. The small amount of electricity needed to run the fans is offset by the energy savings from running your furnace less often.
TIP! If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months. This will ensure that you are not caught short during winter, and you have excess during the summer.
You can save energy while doing laundry, too. Begin by setting your dryer to automatically turn off when your clothing has become dry. High-spin speeds reduce moisture and shorten drying time. It is also important to consistently clean your filter and prevent blockage in your vent.
Stop using bottled water. Bottled water is usually water that came from another city’s tap, and a lot of energy is wasted by the bottling process. If you think your community’s tap water is either unhealthy or tastes bad, buy a metal water bottle that can be used over and over again, and invest in a replaceable filter.
If you are concerned about the environment then make the right choices and put green energy options to use in your own home. The tips we have provided here can help. The financial savings alone is enough to make you want to go green!