You have probably heard green energy technologies mentioned, even though all your friends and neighbors are talking about it. This article can help you learn more about green energy and the technology that goes with it. Read the following article to learn more about green energy in your home.
Installing solar panels is a great way to save electricity. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. A big consideration is how much sunlight does your home typically receive? If the area is shady, or you are in a region that doesn’t receive much sunshine, then you won’t be gaining much power.
Simply lessening the amount of daily energy consumption can save a lot of energy. Unplug alliances when they are not using them. Turn off lights and the television when they are finished using them. This can save you money as well.
Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat water resulting in energy savings. You may get tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.
Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full. It’s sacrilege to turn it on with just one or two dishes inside. Dishwashers can usually hold many dishes. By properly loading a dishwasher you will ensure that the maximum amount of dishes can be washed using the least amount of energy.
Wear natural fabrics instead of always using the air conditioning during summer months. Wear lighter colors tend to make you feel warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.
Solar Panels
If you are planning a solar system for your home, be sure to calculate your potential energy production using the amount of sun to expect in the cloudiest month. As winter sunlight is much lower than summer, you will want to be able to plan for higher energy costs in winter. If you generate excess energy during the summer, with the right plan, your utility company will send you a check!
Solar panels are easy to install and can be installed on your roof allowing you to use solar energy. There are a few things that should be considered prior to installing solar panels. The most important consideration is to determine how much sun your home gets on average.
Are you the owner of a farmer? If you own your farm property, or if you have family who does, so they can install an energy-generating wind turbine.
If you love green energy and green living, consider using electric heaters less during the winter months. A fireplace for the living area, wearing warmer clothing and purchasing some slippers are all greener ways of keeping the family warm. Keep in mind that cooler air is better for your breathing while you sleep as it prevents your airways from becoming dry.
Only using the dishwasher when it is completely full. Don’t run it when there are a low number of dishes inside. You might be surprised by the number of dishes that you can be loaded into a dishwasher.
If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, be sure to calculate your potential energy production using the amount of sun to expect in the cloudiest month. This will guarantee that you will have energy no matter what the weather brings, and it can leave you ahead in the summer.
There are many renewable energy rebates offered by the government, so be aware of them. Sometimes, your local utility company can give you a rebate based on what the upgrades cost. Also, you will find that you can get a tax deduction or a credit from the federal or state government. These credits and rebates will ultimately cut your costs of bringing green energy technology to your house.
Storm Windows
Storm doors and windows offer better air flow in the home better. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the amount of drafts and cold air that tries to get into your home. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Keep track of your watt usage. A gadget like Watt Minder or Kill-A-Watt will help you discover which appliances are your prime energy consumers. Plug your appliance or gadget into the watt-checking device, and it will tell you how much the unit consumes in energy in one hour, month or year. You can get a real idea of what your appliance is costing you and the environment.
Learn about the difference between passive and active solar power. While passive is simply uses the sun to store thermal energy in your walls to heat your home with.
Use a laptop for your computing needs rather than a desktop computer. This can significantly lower the amount of electricity you use, especially if you are frequently on the Internet or using word processing software. Not only that, it can be taken anywhere thanks to its portability.
Use Energy Star rated appliances instead of your old appliances. Any Energy Star rated appliance guarantees better energy efficiency than an older one without the rating. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
You should heat source for your home with biofuel. These fuels are made up of animal or vegetable fats, wood and oils. This would contain anywhere from 20-99% biodiesel. Make sure you ask a professional first before you try this type of fuel inside your household.
Percent Less
Buy products made of bamboo when buying wooden items. Bamboo is a green, grass product, but it is much stronger than most of the commercial wood types. It replenishes itself rapidly, unlike most woods, and can be used for flooring, furniture and nearly any other wood product. This can save energy in the manufacturing process, as well as saving in recycling costs later.
Replace any old major appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rated appliances. Energy Star ratings mean that your new appliances are guaranteed to use less energy than previous models. The amount of energy saved varies by appliances; you can save a lot of energy on your washing machine, 40 percent less for dishwashers and 50 percent less energy for washing machines.
A tankless water heater that heats water on demand is a wonderful appliance for green energy. Traditional water heaters waste a lot of energy because they heat water constantly, which sits idle until it is used.
Heat each individual room separately to save energy and money on your heat bill. A floor heating system that allows individual room control is a great investment. For large homes, this is especially useful.
Green tech products are a bit more pricey than conventional products, but you will be paid back through lower energy bills for the life of the appliances. It also pay off in the long run for the environment.
Since you now have a better idea of how to use different green technology in your household to your advantage, you can slowly make efforts to change your home. Take the tips from this article and use them as a guide to making your home green energy compliant. Not only will the environment thank you, but your wallet will too.
If you want a greener home, then choose more responsibility for your light usage. During the bright months, try not to use lights until it becomes necessary. Install dimmers so you can reduce the amount of light being used. It is also a good idea to use sensors or timers to make sure that excess lights are not left burning after a room is empty.