You will probably be surprised at how many cheap and easy ways there are to make your home more energy efficient. This article will give you with the information needed to make your own home more green.
There are government grants available to help people invest in green energy. Check out your local government so that you can see what type of programs are available in your area. There might be programs in your area that can allow you to install solar or wind energy solutions for free or with taxable deductions if you qualify for them.
Shading your windows from sunlight can help you use less energy. You can also try putting up blinds or curtains. You will save money and energy in the same time.
Solar panels that collect solar energy to be used are easy to have installed at your home. There are several things that should be considered prior to installing solar panels. A big consideration is how much sunlight does your home typically receive? If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
Wear natural fabrics instead of cranking up the air conditioning in the summer. Wear light colors; dark colors since warmer ones can make you feel warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. Adding filters to your warm-air registers is not a bad idea, either. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.
Warm-air registers should also benefit from filters. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from clogging vents and reducing their overall efficiency.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. Many heating systems are able to change over to some biodiesel use without needing modifications or extra parts. Biodiesel burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional petroleum, reducing your home’s environmental impact during the winter.
Consider solar water heating system. If you live somewhere where you don’t have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can get a system that will circulate the water through a solar heater before pumping it into your home. However, it’s best to keep a traditional heater for times when you need a lot of heated water, or if the sun does not come out for some time.
Cover your windows if you’re not going to be home. This simple act blocks the sun from entering and heating your house in the summer, while in the winter, it keeps the heat from escaping through drafty windows. Usually, the windows facing the south get more sun because of where they are in the house. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.
The sun can really make your clothes a great smell. They will smell fresher than clothes dried in the dryer. You will also be saving money on your energy bills.
Think about how much sun your home gets during winter months to help you figure out how much solar energy you need to power your home. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises during the winter months, while leaving you safely ahead of your needs during the summer. An even better benefit is that you can sell your energy back to the grid in the sunniest of times!
Storm Doors
Batteries need to be situated closely to the cells in solar power systems. No power will be lost during the transfer from the cells to the batteries by doing this. It can also lessen the probability of cable shading, which reduces power-generation capabilities.
Storm doors and windows help to better control air flow in the home better. Storm doors and windows dramatically reduce the amount of drafts and cold air that get in. Homes which have stormed windows and doors can see an increase their energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
It’s important to maintain your refrigerator properly. Refrigerators constantly use energy to maintain cooler temperatures. If it is not properly cared for, it will use much more energy than it needs to. Make a regular habit of removing dust from the refrigerator’s heating coils. Check the door seal for dirt, debris and leaks.
Make use of energy-efficient products to save energy. Double or triple glazed windows as well as eco-friendly doors reduces energy usage in the inside temperature more comfortable. These products can cut down dramatically on your cooling and heating costs.
Don’t use your electric heater when you can avoid it. Instead, invest in some warm clothing and slippers for family members and use a fireplace or pellet stove to heat living areas. You will breathe better during your sleep if the air is cool.
If you are on the fence about whether to invest money in green energy for your home, have a heating expert or plumber provide an overview of the systems that you currently have in place. They will let you know how costly your appliances are, and they can estimate the price of upgrading or simply replacing your old systems.
If you dress warmer, you will help cut energy costs, which helps you to go green. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. So, to save some money, pick up a nice warm sweater and refrain from dressing scantily.
A solar oven is an easy and free way to bake. You can make one out of a box, a box, and some foil. These types of oven can become very hot with adequate sunlight, and reach 300 degrees in temperature simply using the sun.
Find out more about active and passive forms of solar power. Active power is energy that gets stored and is used later. Passive is energy that can be used without expensive cells. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.
There are a lot of things you can do if you want to save energy. Setting your water heater to 120 degrees will also save money. Every little thing you do will help.
Replace your old appliances with new ones featuring high Energy Star ratings. If you buy an Energy Star-rated appliance, it is guaranteed to use far less energy than the one it replaced. Appliances like fridges and freezers can use up to 20% less energy, while washing machines can save up to 50%.
If your kids share activities with other children in the neighborhood, set up a carpool system in your neighborhood and trade off days with other parents. You can even carpool to the supermarket with friends that live near you.
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 a person put this practice into action, he or she would save a huge amount on the electric bill. Think about your actions and turn off things you are not using.
5 Gallons
Consider replacing your wooden products with bamboo when buying new. Bamboo is a very green product and is technically a grass, but it is stronger than many commercially available woods. Because it is fast-growing, bamboo resources are easier to replenish than slow-growing trees. This saves energy when it comes to the production and recycling of manufacturing products.
Try using a toilet that saves water. Some estimates show that up to half of all the water consumption in a home is flushed right down the toilet. An older model uses 5 gallons of water per flush, 5 gallons versus 1.6 gallons, almost 70 percent more.
Your electric company is probably eager to help you start saving energy today. 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. Be sure to also check out any programs they have to help you purchase energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
A simple way to start going green energy bandwagon is through your utility provider. Utility companies often have web site tools online to measure and control your electricity usage. You may want to see if some of their programs can provide you with energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances.
Purchasing a programmable thermostat is also another great tip to help decrease your energy bill. When you get one of these thermostats you help regulate the temperatures for your home during both the winter and summer months. They are also programmable for day and night temperatures.
Energy Star
Use your lights responsibly to make a greener home. Don’t turn on the lights until a certain time, during the brighter months. You can also install dimmer switches, timers and sensors to help with energy savings.
A simple way to identify appliances that are energy efficient is to see if they have an ENERGY STAR logo. ENERGY STAR appliances must meet all the guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPAThese products are usually the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
Rainwater can be used effectively in your home, for example, in the toilet. This saves you on your utility bills while helping keep more clean water for drinking. It’s very easy to collect rainwater; just place jars and buckets outside if it’s about to rain, and when they are full, close the lid.
You can reduce the energy needs of your home with energy efficient windows, add in insulation, and by adding insulation and sealing ducts. You may also help reduce the cost of your energy bill in the process.
Simple changes, like replacing your light bulbs for energy efficient ones, can put you on the path to green living. Small, DIY projects can substantially decrease your household energy consumption, and you will save money, too. Start off by choosing and implementing just one mini-project right away!
Check your refrigerator and freezer regularly for broken seals to avoid wasted energy. If the seal is broken it may cause the refrigerator to keep running, which ends up wasting lots of energy, which will run up your energy bill and harm the environment.
Programmable thermostats are great for green energy. These types of thermostats will regulate the temperature in your home when you are not around and when you are sleeping so that your unit is not heating and cooling for no reason. As these models have advanced, the ability to schedule multiple operating times through the week or month, offer great power conservation.
Don’t forget to use ceiling fans in the winter. Switch them to rotate clockwise, reducing demands on your heating fixture.
If you are attempting to turn your home into a greener habitat, you might want to consider purchasing a washing machine that is a front-loader. These washing machines use less water and are better at cleaning clothes. This helps you to use less energy and save money at the same time.
As you can see, there is no excuse for not using green energy in your home. There are many simple and low-cost options available. You can have a good piece of mind when you go green, so be sure you do this and enjoy the rewards for years to come.
Demand that watch dog legislation is put into place to get companies to use green energy. Awareness is a great tool that is not used well. If consumers were aware of the companies that chose not to utilize green practices because it cut into their profits, they may stay away from them. Green practices will become more popular if customers start caring more about what a company is doing to save the environment.