Having green energy in your house is a great way to protect the environment, while reducing energy costs. This doesn’t mean you must purchase an electric car. Keep reading to find out how to make your household more energy efficient, no matter your budget.
Use solar-powered lamps for outdoor lighting. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. This doesn’t merely save energy. It also ensures that there is no need to wire lights outdoor.
You can cut your energy consumption by a lot if you just cut back on the electricity you use. When a certain appliance is not in use, unplug it. Television sets and lights should never be left on when not in use. These simple tips can save you money, as well as saving electricity.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it is filled to capacity. Dishwashers consume a similar amount of water and electricity regardless of whether it contains one dish or 20. Also ensure that it is set to air-dry if you are aiming to reduce your energy consumption.
Do your best to keep your windows shaded from any sunlight. You can do this by putting up blinds or curtains. If you do these things, you will cut your use of air conditioning throughout the warm months, as your home will be a bit cooler. You will save both money and energy in the process.
A good benchmark to use when determining how much power a new solar system is likely to generate is the number of hours of sunlight in the winter. As winter sunlight is much lower than summer, you will want to be able to plan for higher energy costs in winter. You may even get rebates from your utility company in summer months if you sign up for net usage and use solar panels.
Natural Fabrics
Storm doors and windows offer better air flow in the home. This is because they decrease the amount of cold air circulating through your home. Storm doors and windows can increase a home’s energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. Light colors help you to feel cooler than darker or warmer colors.
Replace an energy-hogging water heating tank with a greener, tankless variety. Even though these green versions of water heaters still use electricity or gas, they only need it to warm the water you’re using instead of heating it at all times. Tankless heaters are available in models that supply the entire house or a single faucet with hot water.
The government has set up several incentive programs to help consumers switch to renewable energy sources. Talk to your local representative to see if programs operate in your neighborhood. You may qualify for a free installation or a tax deduction.
If you want to live greener and have a greener home, avoid running electric heaters during the winter. Buy more warm clothing and use a fireplace to add heat to your home. Keep in mind that cooler air is better for your breathing while you sleep as it prevents your airways from becoming dry.
Do things like wash your clothes inside some cold water, if you can. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. Good detergents wash clothes even in cold water. Another great tip is to always fill up the washer with a full load so that you’re being as efficient as possible.
Be sure to learn more about passive and active solar power. Using active power means storing energy for later use, while passive energy is about benefiting from the warmth or light of the sun rays right away. Active power uses solar panels, cells and mechanical systems. Passive solar power is more basic and simply uses your home in its existing state as heat storage.
Biodiesel is a great alternative to the standard oil used to heat a home. Depending on your system, you may be able to switch to biodiesel without having to make any modifications to your system. Bio-diesel fuels burn more efficiently and cleaner than conventional petroleum- based fuel oil.
Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient. Use products such as double-glazed windows or eco-friendly doors to help reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your home’s needs. This will reduce both your home’s heating and cooling bills.
Less Energy
If you are unsure about making big green energy investments in your home, then hire professionals like a plumber or heating expert to come in and give you an overview of your existing systems. These consultants will visit your home, assess your energy usage, and provide options at several price points for making smart and economical green upgrades.
Energy Star appliances help save energy. This rating ensures that the appliance was built to use less energy than the other non Energy Star products. Appliances like fridges and freezers can use up to 20% less energy, while washing machines can save up to 50%.
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. You can make one from an old window, cardboard box, and tin foil. You can reach an oven temperature of 300 degrees or more without using any other source of energy besides the sun. It only takes a few minutes to build a solar oven.
One easy, common sense tip to save energy is to shot off all the lights when you exit a room. Do this at all times. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. You will also enjoy a lower power bill, saving you money every month.
The venerable habit of turning of unnecessary lights when leaving a room is still very effective. Get yourself into the habif of always turning lights off and you can save a lot of energy. An additional advantage is lower electric bills.
Replace your old toilet with a water-saving one. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Older toilet models use up to 70 percent more water per year than newer ones.
Install a toilet that uses less water. It has been estimated that as much as 50 percent of the water which is used in one’s home is flushed down the toilet. An older model of toilet might use up to 5 gallons per flush, as compared to a lean 1.6 gallons for a water-saving model.
An on-demand water heater is a very effective energy saver. Traditional water heaters run constantly, wasting energy because they heat water when it isn’t needed. Water heaters that are on-demand, heat water when hot water is needed, and helps save money in energy costs.
When buying wood, think about buying bamboo. Bamboo is a green alternative to wood products and very strong. Bamboo grows quickly and it used for several products including flooring. This can save energy in the manufacturing process, as well as saving in recycling costs later.
Do not forget to turn off anything you do not use, including lights, appliances and electronics. If a person put this practice into action, he or she would save a huge amount on the electric bill. 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.
Search for an Energy Star logo when shopping for appliances in order to find the most energy-efficient ones. Any appliance that has an ENERGY STAR logo meets guidelines for the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. You may have to purchase these appliances to get tax rebates.
Your electric company can assist you in making your home energy-efficient. Most electric companies’ websites contain general information on how to save energy, as well as calculators that tell you how much energy making specific upgrades can save you. Also see if they offer discounts for purchasing certain energy-efficient items, such as appliances or light bulbs.
Putting the temperature to 60 degrees when you’re sleeping or away from home is a great energy-saving tip. At this temperature, your home will use as little energy as possible. If you do this, you can cut down your energy usage and save money at the same time.
Energy Star
You can save energy while doing laundry, too. For example use the moisture sensor on your dryer; once the laundry is dry the dryer will automatically shut off. Reduce the drying time for your loads by spinning them on the high-speed setting of your washer. Always clean your dryer filters, and check your dryer vent for any blockages.
Energy efficient appliances will feature the bright Energy Star sticker. Any appliance that has an ENERGY STAR logo meets guidelines for the U.S. Energy Department and those of the EPA. Products that meet ENERGY STAR criteria are usually eligible for some form of tax rebate.
One way to save money on energy costs is to drop the temperature to 120 degrees on the water heater. That can save you almost 10% on your power bill if your family size is 4, and will provide you with a safe and adequate temperature for your hot water.
Install automatic light sensors with motion detection into your most highly trafficked rooms. If nobody is using the room, the sensors will turn the lights off; this saves energy and money. Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.
Don’t drink bottled water. This normally came from a basic tap anyway, and it is simply a waste of energy and resources. If you aren’t comfortable using your area’s tap water, you can get a water bottle that is metal and reusable and replace the filter every few months.
Weatherizing your home is a great way to make it more energy efficient. If you seal ducts and drafts around your windows or doors, then you will reduce the energy you need to run your house. You will also help reduce the cost of your energy bill in the process.
You can either make a small change or a huge change to live a greener life. Just doing a few small improvements on your home can save you energy and money. Choose just one project at a time, and take positive steps toward a greener home.
By making use of light bulbs that are energy-efficient, for example, you can find a lot of great ways to save energy. Set a good example for your friends and family, and show them just how easy “going green” can really be. Keep these tips in mind and use them often.
Ensure that you turn off any lights that you are not using. Use lighting in the evenings only when you have to, and turn off switches when you exit a room. Keep porch lights, lighting in cabinetry, and other lights off unless you absolutely need them to be on. You can reduce the amount of energy you use when you do this.
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