In the past, we tended to use resources without thinking about the future impact on the environment. However, we, as a society, have become more aware of the impact we’re having on the planet. A great way to care for the environment while saving yourself money is to incorporate green energy technology at home. If you wish to utilize green energy within your home, this article can assist you in doing so.
If you are trying to conserve energy in the summer, be sure to keep your shades drawn to block out the sun. Additionally, curtains and blinds can enhance the energy-saving effect you achieve. These actions will reduce the air conditioning usage during the hot summer months, and yet your home will still remain cooler. You will save energy, which will in turn save you substantial money.
When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight. This will end up saving you a lot of energy. You also won’t have to spend time wiring your outdoor lights.
Make your home more energy efficient by unplugging your unused electronic devices. Whether you are charging your device or not, chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cellphones and other electronics keep drawing electrical power as long as they stay plugged in.
Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. Certain upgrades, though expensive, qualify for specific tax deductions.
Do you have a large plot of land? If you have a lot of land, energy companies will pay you for the right to set up a wind turbine on it. You and the neighbors can benefit from this free installation and energy which won’t take up much space.
Take advantage of government grants if you plan to invest in renewable energy sources. Get in touch with your local government to find out what kind of programs exist in your area. You may qualify to have wind or solar power installed at no cost to you. At a minimum they may allow you to deduct the charges from your taxes.
Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. Doing so will prevent debris in heating ducts and it reduces energy.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren’t using them. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.
When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. The majority of energy use from washing clothes is in the heating of the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. In addition, remember that a washing machine will be most energy efficient when it is full.
Wash Clothes
When doing any updates to your home, look for energy-efficient products. Double glazed windows as well as eco-friendly doors reduces energy usage in the home. Using this type of product will cut down on heating and cooling energy costs.
Wash clothes with cold water. Almost 90 percent of energy consumed by washing machines is used when heating the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Don’t forget to only wash clothes when you have a full load s you are as efficient with your energy as possible!
Hire professionals to talk to you about installing new systems. They can advise you about how much inefficient appliances cause you to lose financially, and they can estimate the price of upgrading or simply replacing your old systems.
Use electric heaters minimally in the winter. Wrap up your family in warmer clothes and make use of your fireplace for added warmth. This is good for your health as well as your electric bill. Breathing cooler air at night helps keep your respiratory system healthy; you’ll avoid drying out your airways.
Try not to set the heat very high in your home unless it’s an absolute must. Put on a sweater and sweatpants when it’s cold. Turning the heat all the way up will use a lot of unneeded energy.
Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy. Your heat and cooling costs can drop dramatically by using these products.
There is a lot you can do to change your lifestyle and live in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world. Even if you don’t have a ton of money, you can do simple things, like monthly cleaning of the filters in your furnace or lowering the thermostat to 60 degrees when you’re not going to be home. Setting the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees will help reduce energy costs, too. Every small amount helps.
Try using a solar oven for your baking needs. You can make these with boxes, old windows or old pieces of foil that can be used for reflection. This oven uses only solar energy and can reach cooking temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.
If you are in the market for wooden items, try bamboo wood. Bamboo serves as a green replacement for wood. Though it is a grass, it has much more strength and durability than many commercial woods. Its rate of growth is very high and is being utilized for everything from wood flooring to cutting boards. This can save energy for by way of recycling and less manufacturing of parts.
Make reminders for yourself to set new energy efficiency targets, and be sure you examine each utility bill that comes in against last year’s bill to see if gains are being made. Simply being conscious of how much you spend on energy will save you a ton. For example, if you make a conscious effort to cut down on your water or electricity usage, then you are more likely to make a habit out of shutting off unused lights or appliances.
An easy way to identify energy efficient appliances and products is to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. Any products that have the ENERGY STAR logo are in compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. In many cases, you won’t be able to get a tax rebate from any appliance that doesn’t feature these logos.
Less Energy
Installing solar panels onto your roof is a great way to start making your home a greener one. While solar panels require a significant up-front investment, the cost savings you will enjoy over the course of several years can more than pay for it. 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.
Get appliances that have an Energy Star rating. This rating ensures that the appliance was built to use less energy than the other non Energy Star products. For freezers and refrigerators, the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy used, 40 percent for dishwashers, and at least 50 percent when it comes to washing machines.
Don’t forget about ceiling fans during winter time. You should use them to help heat your home. By switching them to clockwise rotation, you can use them to push warm air down from the ceiling where it pools, reducing the demands on your furnace or other heating appliance. The amount it costs to run ceiling fans is insignificant compared to the amount of energy necessary to run your furnace.
When you exit a room, make it a habit to flip off the light switch. It is amazing how the energy savings add up once you get into this habit. An additional advantage is lower electric bills.
You can save lots of money with programmable thermostats. These thermostats can be pre-programmed and regulate the temperatures in the home throughout the year. In addition to seasonal control, you can also use them to regulate the temperature at certain hours of the day.
Do not forget to turn off anything you do not use, including lights, appliances and electronics. By doing this on a daily basis, a person’s energy bill can be greatly reduced. Before doing something, be sure to remember to turn these things off.
Try to be proactive, and take your frozen foods out early and allow them time to thaw in the fridge. 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.
Energy Star
Help reduce the cost of green energy by increasing the demand for it. You have a lot of clout as a consumer, and you have to right to use that clout to demand clean technologies. As demand increases for green products, costs will begin to reduce. It also encourages businesses to manufacture their products differently in order to remain profitable.
Any appliances that have this guarantee will most likely have an Energy Star logo branded on them somewhere. The guidelines that ENERGY STAR appliances must meet are set by the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR products are useful for tax credits.
Avoid using 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.
Put lights sensors with motion detectors in the rooms you use the most. This is especially great for families with kids who forget to turn off lights when leaving a room because the lights automatically turn off when no one is present. Don’t forget to also include the outdoor lighting above your garage, too!
A home-energy monitor can help you stay on top of your energy use. It will measure your use of electricity and help you estimate your power bill. It has been proven that people use less energy when they have a clear idea of how much it cost to use the energy.
Use weatherizing techniques to improve the energy efficiency rating of your home. Insulating your home and installing more efficient windows, doors, and heating and cooling systems will let you use less energy in your home. You will also help reduce the cost of your energy bill in the process.
Considering installing a dehumidifier in your home. Air that contains more moisture generally feels warmer. Dehumidifiers are cheaper to run than air conditioners and may provide the cooling you need. You might be able to go without air conditioning for quite some time if you do this right.
One simple way to reduce your energy bills considerably is to install a programmable thermostat. These thermostats are programmed to regulate temperature inside your house both during the winter and summer months. They can also be programmed for different temperatures based on whether it’s night or day.
Shut off the lights when you aren’t around. For instance, keep your usage of lights only to night time, and make it a priority to turn them off before exiting the room. Porch lights are almost a tradition for some people, but keep them off unless they are actually necessary. This reduces the amount of energy your home uses.
If it is one of your priorities to treat the environment better you can do so by utilizing some of these tips, which will increase the energy efficiency of your home. The money that you save might well make it worth the time you have invested in the changes.
To keep your home very green and warm, inspect your insulation. If your home is 30 years old or older, you may need to check the insulation because there’s a good chance it needs more. You can cut down heating costs while making your home warmer in the process.
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