You may be surprised at the range of options available to make your home greener. The intent of this article will give you the information necessary to implement a green energy system in your home and benefit from it.
In order to conserve energy, try keeping the windows shaded from the 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. This means that you will save energy as well as money.
Shading windows from sunlight can help you use less energy. You could also try putting up blinds or curtains. You will save both money and energy in the summer.
Solar Panels
Maybe you can use solar water heaters instead of traditional heating methods. If you live where freezing temperatures aren’t prevalent, you can purchase a system that can circulate water via a solar heater prior to being pumped to your home. You should still retain traditional water heaters for backup when the sun doesn’t show, or if you use a lot of heated water.
Solar panels are an easy to install and can collect sunlight for energy. There are a few things that should be considered prior to installing solar panels. The most important consideration is how much your home gets regularly.
Wash clothes with cold water whenever possible. Almost ninety percent of the consumed energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating up the water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, cold water will be as effective as hot when cleaning your laundry.
Solar energy can heat water for a lesser cost. Simply put, all you need is a hot water system that uses solar energy. Your options include direct circulation systems and indirect ones. The indirect system is a a great thing to have and you do not have to think about having frozen pipes during the winter.
Research the different energy sources which may be available in your community. Compare the costs of operating your home using several of these utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. You might be able to save money by switching to one or another may provide a reduction in energy use and cost.
Turn you appliances off when you aren’t using them. When you leave a room, like the lights, computer or T.V. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, and it prevents passive electrical use due to standby modes.
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. Keep in mind, cooler air while sleeping makes your breathing better, and keeps your airways from getting too dry.
Don’t run the dishwasher if it is less than totally full. It consumes the exact same quantity of electricity and water even if it’s not full. When running the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which allows the air-drying of your dishes.
When you plan a solar system for your home, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. This prevents unpleasant surprises in the winter, and it keeps you ahead of the game for summer months.
Spending a little more on green appliances and electronics generally pays off over time. Green technology appliances can cost a bit more up front, but you will be paid back through lower energy bills for the life of the appliances. It also pays off as far as the environment is concerned.
Storm Windows
Storm doors and windows help to better control air flow into a home. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air that tries to get in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors increase their energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Install a programmable thermostat. This can help save money and energy. These thermostats have pre-programmed settings that regulate temperatures in your home in both summer and winter months. You can actually help program them to manage temperatures in the day and night.
Instead, wear multiple layers, slippers and socks, and heat your living areas with a pellet stove or fireplace.
Learn about the difference between passive and active solar power. While passive is simply uses the sun in storing thermal energy inside your walls to heat your home with.
The higher the demand for green energy alternatives, the lower the cost of the technology. The rational behind this is simple, the more people demand green energy options the less expensive they will become. The more it is demanded, the more incentive manufacturers have to invest in creating more green products. It also encourages businesses to manufacture their products differently in order to remain profitable.
Write a reminder to remain on top of goals for energy efficiency, and check every utility bill against the previous year’s to see if you are making gains.For example, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, it’s more likely that you will also try to use appliances and lights less often.
Energy Star
Purchase a home energy monitor to keep tabs on the energy your home uses. These products collect real measurements of energy consumption and estimate your bill. Research shows that people are likely to reduce their electricity consumption when they could see the costs associated to their appliances.
Replace any old major appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. Energy Star ratings mean that your new appliances are guaranteed to use less energy than previous models. For refrigerators and freezers, the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy used, 40 percent for dishwashers, and at least 50 percent when it comes to washing machines.
The venerable habit of turning of unnecessary lights and devices when leaving a room is still very effective. Turning off lights will save a surprising amount of energy. You also see a decrease in your power bill.
Shut off the lights when you aren’t around. Use lighting in the evenings only when you have to, and turn off switches when you exit a room. You should also avoid using cabinet lighting or a porch light unless absolutely necessary. You will end up using a lot less energy.
The tips you just read are easy to use, so there is no excuse not to use them. Becoming a green energy user allows for some peace of mind and more money in your budget. Implement these ideas today and make tomorrow a little brighter.