Read this article for great tips on conserving the energy used while at home.
When not at home, use window coverings. This cools the house and cuts energy costs. More often than not, south-facing windows will let in the most sun due to their positioning. Dark curtains, roller or roman shades can cover windows well.
There are grants available to help people invest in green energy. Check with the local government and see what type of programs are available to you. You may qualify for a free installation of solar power at little to no cost.
Be a better consumer of energy, and unplug electric chargers for all devices that don’t need immediate charging.Chargers for devices like phones, laptops, computers and others use small amounts of power any time they are in an outlet, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.
Purchase a solar water heater to warm up your water. If you live somewhere where you don’t have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can use a system that circulates water through the solar heater before it gets pumped into your home. Yet make sure that you also have a regular water heater as well just in case the sun decides to not come out for awhile.
Wash clothing in cold water whenever possible. Almost ninety percent of the power you use to do laundry is simply used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. If you are using good quality washing detergent, cold water will be as effective as hot when cleaning your laundry.
Many systems will take a switch to some level of biodiesel without any extra parts or parts.
When thinking about home solar systems, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. That will help you avoid negative surprises in the winter, and it will give you plenty of leeway during 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.
The sun will make your clothes smell great. They will smell a lot fresher than if you used the drier. You will also save money on utility bills by line drying your laundry.
When planning a home solar system, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. This prevents any unanticipated effects from a winter months, while leaving you safely ahead of your needs during the summer.
When planning out your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the cells as possible. This prevents energy from dissipating in a long cable. The cable also is less likely to block power generation by providing shade if you do this.
Storm Windows
Storm doors and storm windows offer better air flow in the home better. Storm windows and storm doors reduce the amount of cold air drafts filtering into openings. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase their energy efficiency of up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power is the power stored for later use and passive doesn’t require pricey cells for storing power. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. Passive energy is using the sun’s thermal energy to heat your house.
Instead, wear multiple layers, robes and slippers, and heat your living areas with a pellet stove or fireplace.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer. This could possibly reduce your electrical use by 75 percent, especially if the computer is on the Internet a lot or uses word processing software. The laptop is also mobile, so you can use it anywhere!
Keep up-to-date with tax rebates for making your home more energy-efficient. Local utility companies often offer rebates for upgrades. You may also be able to get tax credits or deductions from the government for your upgrades. These credits and rebates will ultimately cut your costs of bringing green energy technology to your house.
Avoid turning the heat in your home unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you are cold, put on warmer clothes. Having your heat up high will consume a great deal of energy.
Keep an eye on how many watts of electricity you are using.Plug these gadgets into an appliance to find out how much energy is used in an hour, month or hour to run it. You can learn how much your appliances are costing you and the environment.
Try to communicate more via email. Live a paperless lifestyle whenever possible. You and the businesses you deal with can both save energy and money by going paperless. Not to mention, it protects the environment for everyone.
Use LED lights to decorate for Christmas. According to research by the U.S. That is enough power to run more than 200,000 homes for a year. You can at least look forward to saving money on your electric bill.
5 Gallons
If you would like to save the environment, remember that it can be done in small steps as well as big ones. Even though you may not have too much money, there are little things you can do, such as lowering your heat to 60 when you aren’t home and cleaning your furnace filters monthly. Lowering the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees will save you money too. Even the smallest amount of effort can help.
Replace your old toilet with a water-saving model.Some estimates show that about half of all the water consumption in a home is flushed right down the toilet. An older model uses 5 gallons of water per flush, 5 gallons versus 1.6 gallons, almost 70 percent more.
A really simple way to begin making your home is to get help from your electric company. Utility companies often have web site tools online to measure and control your electricity usage. Also check out programs they offer to help offset the cost of energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Another great idea would be to use bio-fuels for house heating. These fuels use fats, wood or oil to create energy. Typically, if your furnace uses propane, professionals can easily provide changes so you use these fuels. These changes would let you use biofuels is between 20 percent and 90 percent of the fuel used in the furnace. Make sure you talk with a professional first before you try this fuel out.
As this article previously stated, being green doesn’t need to be time consuming or expensive. Saving energy is just a matter of making a few minor changes to how you live. Remember this article’s tips so you can begin making changes in your own life, and help out the environment in the long term.