In modern times, the daily implementation of green energy practices is on the rise. So, what exactly is green energy anyway? In layman’s terms, green energy is renewable energy and efficient technology that helps the environment. Green energy tips and strategies can be utilized in any home. Learn more below.
Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Using gas or electricity to heat water isn’t efficient. However, solar water heaters use the sun to make water comfortable and reduce energy consumption. By doing certain upgrades to your home, you can often earn extra incentives and even cut backs on your energy bill.
When battery chargers and other electronics are not in use, unplug them. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.
Shading your windows from direct sunlight can help you use less energy. Closing your blinds and curtains will keep out the sun in summer and keep heat from escaping in winter. Since this will make your house cooler, you will use the air conditioner less. By blocking the sun’s rays, you will save energy and money.
Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. Adding filters to warm-air registers is also beneficial. This reduces debris and small toys from falling into the ducts, which will make them less efficient.
If you heat your home with fuel oil, inquire about switching over to biodiesel. Depending on your system, you may be able to switch to biodiesel without having to make any modifications to your system. The bonus of doing this is a cleaner burning fuel that is generally also more efficient, and you’ll lessen your impact on the environment also.
Use cold water for laundry, whenever you can. Almost 90% of energy consumption during clothes being washed is a result of the hot water usage. Washing your clothing in cold water will get them just as clean as washing them in hot water if you have a good laundry detergent. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.
Instead of using the dryer, dry your laundry outdoors when weather permits. The sun can give clothing an incredible smell. Line-dried items will be just as clean and dry as they would be if you used the dryer, but they will also smell so much fresher. You will also be saving money on your utility bills.
Instead of using the dryer, dry your laundry outdoors when weather permits. The sun will dry your clothing for free and the summer breeze will leave it smelling amazing. Laundry will smell fresher and cleaner, much more so than when they were in the dryer. You will also be saving money on your utility bills.
Make sure your refrigerator is properly maintained. A refrigerator uses lots of energy so should be kept in good working condition. The heating coils should be cleaned regularly to remove the accumulated dust. In addition to that, make the seal near the door clean and tight.
Consider how many hours of sunlight you can expect in the winter as you plan your solar system, so that you know how much energy you can expect it to generate. That will help you avoid negative surprises in the winter, and it will give you plenty of leeway during the summer. If your electric company bills on net usage, you will actually make money because yu generate more power than you consume.
When a home has windows and doors stormed air flow is actually better in that household. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Homes which have stormed windows and doors increase their energy efficiency by as much as 45% which also ends up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Renewable Energy
You can save on your energy bill by dressing warmly. You will feel 2 degrees warmer with a light sweater, and 4 degrees warmer with a heavy one. Add a hat, scarf and gloves for even more warmth. You do not have to wear a small amount of clothing at home, so put on a sweater and increase your savings.
Pay careful attention to rebates that may help you save money on renewable energy. Some utility companies also provide rebate opportunities for the installation of green technologies. Also look into tax deductions offered by the government that may apply to your green energy technology. These rebates, credits, and other allowances can make it much more affordable to install renewable energy equipment on your property.
Take time to read about passive and active solar power. Active power is energy that gets stored and is used later. Passive is energy that can be used without expensive cells. Active power is about using solar panels, cells and other installations. While passive is simply using the sun to store thermal energy inside your walls to heat your home with.
Monitor how many watts you’re using. Choose an energy monitor like the Kill-A-Watt or the Watt Minder to help you determine which devices and appliances consume the most energy. Plug your appliances in to these devices to find out what amount of energy is required each year, month or hour to run it. This is a good way to find out how much your appliances are really costing you.
Have your friends and business associates contact you via email rather than snail mail. Don’t use paper whenever you can afford to do so. This helps to lower the energy costs of businesses as they communicate, and you can save energy as well. It also helps save the planet, of course.
Check your utility bills against previous years’ bills to see how you’re doing in your efforts to go green. You should also write down your goals for energy efficiency and reminders to help you stay on track. When you’re aware of energy expenses, you’re better positioned to reduce them. Your deliberate efforts to reduce your electricity or water consumption will have a significant impact on your ability to form habits out of turning off lights and shutting down appliances.
Create written reminders of your goals regarding energy efficiency, and compare your utility bills to those of the previous year to determine whether you are making positive steps. Just being conscious of the energy that you use will help you reduce them significantly. For instance, should you consciously decide to decrease your electricity or water use, you are also likelier to turn off appliances or unused lights.
Carpool so you can use less fuel. Parents can trade off driving duties and carpool neighborhood kids to school together. If you are near friends and family, go food shopping together and take turns driving.
A tankless water heater that heats water on-demand is a great energy saving device. Traditional water heaters waste a lot of energy because they heat water constantly, even when no hot water is needed. A on-demand water heater will only heat your water when you need it, which saves a ton of money and energy.
While it is an old idea on saving energy, it is a great idea to make it a habit to turn off the lights when you exit a room or your home. You would be surprised how much energy you could end up saving over time if you get into the habit of turning off your lights. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.
If you want to transform your home into a “green home,” the iconic way to do this is by installing solar panels. This costs quite a bit of money at the outset, but the savings from using solar energy will make them pay for themselves after several years. Once the panels are in place, solar power is free. In some cases, you might be able to sell excess power your panels produce to local utility companies.
A tankless water heater that heats water on-demand is a great energy saving device. The older models are constantly running, which ends up wasting energy. An on-demand water heater instantly heats water when necessary and saves energy.
Installing a programmable thermostat can save you a lot of cash on your utility bills. When you get one of these thermostats you help regulate the temperatures for your home during both the winter and summer months. They can also be set differently depending on whether it is day or night.
As odd as it sounds, the majority of people do not bother to disconnect or turn off lights and electronics when they are not being used. If you were to get in the habit of turning them off, it would cut down tremendously on your energy bill costs. Try to be consciously aware of what you are doing, and try your best to turn off appliances and lights when you’re not using them.
If you want a greener home, then choose more responsibility for your light usage. In the brighter months, don’t turn lights on until past a certain time. Install dimmers to reduce the amount of energy lights require, and use sensors or timers to prevent lights from staying on when no one is in the room.
Energy Consumption
There are several ways to save energy as you do your laundry. Use a dryer with a moisture sensor that shuts the dryer down when the clothes have finished drying. Using the high-spin speed will reduce the moisture in clothing and decrease the time needed for drying. Be certain that you use clean filters for your dryer and also check for a blockage in dryer vents.
Your electric company can be a great resource for taking a look at how you can make your house energy-efficient. Many electric companies can give you data showing your peak hours of energy consumption and ways to reduce energy consumption. Check out the appliances and light bulbs that they recommend, as well as special programs to help you purchase them.
One clever way to conserve energy is to thaw frozen food in a refrigerator. Not only is this a safer way to thaw out food, but the cold air released by the frozen food will help keep your refrigerator cool, reducing the total energy consumption that is required.
Install solar panels on your roof for a greener, more environmentally friendly home. Even though a significant cost is involved when you install solar panels, your investment cost will be recouped within several years. Once the panels are in, solar power is free; you might even be able to sell power to local utility companies.
Install a system that monitors how much energy various devices in your home use. They collect measurement of energy usage and estimate your bill. Research has shown that if consumers see an immediate cost to their activities, they have a higher likelihood of cutting back on their energy usage.
As was stated in the above article, green energy is currently pretty popular. It is all about renewable energy and efficient technology that make positive impacts on the environment. You can join on this trend and begin using green energy for your home using the tips provided in this article.
Use rainwater for your toilet and other household items. This will cut down on energy costs for your home, and you will also be positively affecting the environment. The collection of rainwater is very easy. Just place glass jars outside while it is raining, and they are ready for use once they are filled.
About The Author
