Taking care of the planet we all live on is very important and each of us has a responsibility to go greener with energy use, and why we need to use these green energy sources when possible. There are a variety of green energy technologies available that provide power from sustainable resources. What can you do to incorporate green energy in your lifestyle? Keep on reading to find out.Solar powered outdoor lighting is a wonderful enhancement to your outdoor living areas. These lamps are inexpensive and do not require any kind of power source other than exposure to the sun. This not only saves energy. Also, it will no longer be necessary to install wired outdoor lights.Solar water heaters use the sun’s energy to heat to warm water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat.You may get tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.Heat your pools, hot tubs and showers more efficiently with a solar hot water system. 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. While some upgrades cost more initially, they can qualify you for deductions on your tax return for using green energy.Find out about the different energy solutions in your community. Compare costs, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration.You may find that switching to well water or natural gas heat.Try wearing natural fabrics in the summer as opposed to using the air conditioner. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, remove moisture from skin so that you stay cool. Wear lighter colors since warmer ones can make you warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.
Storm Doors
Solar panels can be an excellent investment for the typical homeowner. There are a few things to consider before installing them. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. You can’t take as much advantage of solar energy if your house gets a lot of shade rather than sun.Storm doors and storm windows offer better control air flow in the home. Storm doors and windows will reduce the cool air that tries to get in. Homes which have stormed windows and doors increase in energy efficiency of up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.If you use fuel to heat your home, ask a professional about using biodiesel instead. Some current systems can use forms of biodiesel without the need for modifications. Biodiesel is great because it is more efficient and produces less pollution that standard oil, which will reduce your carbon footprint.Use a tankless water heater instead of a tank style heater. Tankless versions still need electricity or gas to heat water, but they only heat the water you actually need. Tankless heaters are available in models that supply the entire home or certain faucets.Cover your windows when no one is at home. This cools down your house and lowers energy use. Usually the windows with the most sun are the one’s which face south. Dark drapes, or even energy-efficient lined drapes, are your best bet.Make your home energy-efficient products that conserve power. Double or triple glazed windows as well as eco-friendly doors prevent a lot of wasted energy usage in the home.Using this type of product will cut down on heating and cooling.Research the different energy sources available in your community. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs. You may choose, for example, to go from electric to natural gas for heating, or using a well instead of city water.
There are a lot you can do if you want to save energy. Setting your water heater to 120 degrees will also be an energy saver. Every little thing you do will help.A good way to conserve energy is to not use your dishwasher unless it is completely full. Don’t run it with only a few things. You’ll be surprised at how many dishes a dishwasher can load. Try your best to align your dishes properly so that you maximize your space in your dishwasher, play Tetris with your dishwasher.A good energy is to switch your boiler. Older boilers were not created with energy conservation in mind, and they’re costing you an arm and a leg compared to a newer unit. Newer boilers produce far less carbon dioxide as well as cut down the cost of your energy bill.Upgrading your water heater to a tankless style saves a lot of energy. While tankless heaters still require gas or electricity to heat your water, they only heat the amount of water you need, rather than keeping a large tank hot around the clock. Tankless heaters are available in models that supply the entire house or a single faucet with hot water.
Less Energy
An easy way to cut energy costs and go green is to dress warm. You can wear a heavy sweater instead of a light one to give yourself more warmth when you’re at home. There is no need to be fashionable while at home watching TV, so put on some layers and put some money back in your pocket!Replace your old appliances with new ones featuring high Energy Star rating. Energy Star appliances are technologically built to use less energy than previous models.For freezers and refrigerators, the rating promises 20% less energy used, 40 percent for dishwashers, and for washing machines at least 50% less energy used!Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer to save electricity and enhance your mobility. These portable machines will reduce your electrical use by 75% while you do everyday tasks. An added bonus is the portability of a laptop- you can take it anywhere you go!Use your microwave oven whenever you can to save energy while cooking. The stove and oven use a good bit of energy. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can.Write yourself reminders to stay on top of new energy efficiency goals, and check every utility bill against the previous year’s to see if you are making gains. You can reduce your energy use just by being aware of what you are spending. 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.Try installing a toilet that is built to save water. Some estimates show that up to half of the water used in your home is from the toilet hole. An older model toilet uses a lot more water than a water-saving one, whereas a water-saving model only uses 1.6 gallons, saving about 70 percent on your yearly water use.Replace your old toilet with a water-saving one. Some estimates show that up to half of all the water used in your home is flushed right down the toilet hole. Older models of toilets can have a capacity of 5 gallons. That is 5 gallons of wasted water per flush. New water saving models use closer to a gallon and a half of water per flush. This can save 70 percent of the water you used previously.It’s very important to use green technology now than it ever has been. All power sources impact our environment in some way, but with green energy, the impact is minimized. Hopefully, this article has taught you what you need to know to put a lot more green in your life today.An easy way to use green energy is to install a tankless water heater. Traditional water heaters run constantly, wasting energy because they heat water when it isn’t needed. Using an on-demand water heater is a great way to save both energy and money.