Clean And Lean: Why Green Energy Is Such A Hot Topic
You don’t have to buy an electric car to make a difference!
You can make a difference and save energy simply by taking steps to use less energy every day. When you are not using certain appliances, unplug them until you are ready to use them again. Turn off lights and the television when you are finished using them. This is an easy, money-saving tip.
Simply cutting back on the amount of daily basis can save lots of energy. Unplug appliances from outlets when not in use. Turn off the TV and lights once you leave a room. This simple tip will save you money in the long run.
If you want to preserve energy, keep your windows so they are shaded from sunlight. Both curtains and blinds will help keep the heat from the sun out of your home during the summer months. Utilizing both of these methods will decrease you need for an air conditioner unit, since your home will not be as warm. You can save money and energy throughout the summer.
Wear natural fabrics instead of always using the air conditioning during summer months. Wear lighter colors since warmer ones can make you warm and you will be likelier to turn on the A/C.
Do you have a farm? If so, or if you have family who does, consider renting out some of your land to a company that will install a simple wind turbine. The energy generated can benefit your entire area without taking up much room.
There are many government grants available to help people invest in green energy. Contact your local government and discover the different programs available in your area. You can qualify for a free installation of solar power at little to no cost.
Take the time to clean or replace your furnace every season. Monthly checks will assure your furnace never has to work hard. Install filters for your warm-air registers, too. This stops debris from blocking heating ducts.
Wash clothes with cold water whenever possible. Almost 90% of the energy used to heat the water for a warm or hot cycle. If your detergent is of good quality, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing.
You can obtain hot water for a cheap cost with solar energy. Upgrade your hot water system to one that’s solar-powered. You could choose of having an indirect or direct circulation system. You’re better off with an indirect system if you are worried about pipes freezing during the winter.
Many systems can be switched over to run on biodiesel without any modification.
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. To use active power, you must install mechanical systems, cells and solar panels. Passive solar power, on the other hand, just draws heat from the sun and stores it in your walls for heating purposes.
When determining the economical impact of a PV solar system, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it will result in a surplus during the summer.
Pay attention to any federal or local rebates offered for making alternative-energy updates to your home. In some cases, the local utility company will offer rebates for the cost of the upgrades. You may also get state and federal tax deductions for making your home more energy efficient. Rebates and credits will help to offset the cost of implementing green energy technology you want to add to your home.
An on-demand (tankless) water heater is very effective energy saver. Traditional water heaters waste a lot of energy because they heat water constantly, even when hot water is not needed; this wastes energy.
If you’re in the market for new appliances, make sure they have a high Energy Star rating. Any Energy Star rated appliance guarantees better energy efficiency than an older one without the rating. The amount of energy saved depends on the type of appliance. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy, while dishwashers use 40% less. Washing machines use half as much energy as their non-rated counterparts.
Replace your windows with weather-sealed efficient ones. These have many benefits, makes your home quieter, a quieter home, and your windows will acquire less condensation.
If you want to save energy, do the obvious, well-known thing: turn off lights every time you leave the room. Simply turning off the lights when you aren’t using them can really save energy. This has an environmental benefit and a budgetary one.
Use motion detection sensors for lighting in the most popular rooms of your house. These sensors will automatically turn off the lights of rooms that are currently not in use, which saves energy, and in the long run, lots of money. Also remember to do this outside for your garage’s lighting, so that they only turn on when there is someone there.
Get a water-saving toilet. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.
Energy Efficient
One of the easiest ways to get started with making your home more energy-efficient is to enlist the help of your electric company. A lot of utility companies, on their websites, provide tools to assist you in seeing what energy you use, in some cases down to an hour; they also offer ways to reduce costs and consumption. Check out the appliances and light bulbs that they recommend, as well as special programs to help you purchase them.
You can reduce the energy usage of your home by installing energy efficient doors and windows, sealing ducts, and put in new windows and cooling systems that are energy efficient so that you can reduce the energy it takes to operate your home. You may also enjoy a decreased energy bill!
If it’s possible to do so, you should replace your old windows with the newer, more energy-efficient ones. Some of the benefits you will see include lower electric bills, a more quiet home, less carbon dioxide and a smaller amount of window condensation.
Heat each room of your home separately rather than all at once to save money. This works particularly well if you own a bigger home.
Use automatic light sensors that have motion detectors for your busiest rooms. Use these sensors to turn the lights off when no one is in the room, which will save you money as you use less energy. Don’t forget to install the outdoor sensor lights in your garage, too!
If you are unable to completely power your home using solar power, attempt to use green energy for some of the house. For example, get panels installed which will only heat hot water, or use panels just to heat your pool.
It is a good idea to check the seal of your fridge and freezer frequently to avoid wasting energy. A damaged seal will cause your fridge to use more energy than necessary, wasting both energy and money. In your door, place a piece of paper. If it easily slides out, your seal probably needs to be replaced.
Keeping your furnace filter current, making use of energy efficient lighting, and using an energy efficient thermostat are very easy ways to help conserve energy and money in your household. Show other people how easy being green is. Keep these tips in mind and put them to good use today.
Program your thermostat in order to save energy and money. When you get one of these thermostats you help regulate the temperatures for your home during both the winter and summer months. You can also set up your own programs to control the temperature during different times of day.
