With the multitude of green-energy information available online today, it can be overwhelming to try and find a plan of action that will work for you. With this article you can learn where to get started when it comes to going green and saving energy for your home.Try wearing natural fabrics in the summer as opposed to using the air conditioner. Moisture-wicking athletic fabrics pull moisture away from your skin, creating a cooling sensation. You can also try wearing lighter colors, they help you feel cooler, lessening your need for artificial cold air.Government grants help customers purchase these eco-friendly technologies. To find out which programs are available in your area contact your local government. Who knows, you may qualify for low or no-cost wind or solar installation. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still use these items as a tax deduction.Do your best to consume the least amount of energy possible in your home. Do things like unplug any electronic device that you aren’t using that may still be plugged into an outlet. Your charger still uses energy while it’s plugged in, even if it isn’t charging anything.Try to use cold water for washing clothes. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. As long as you have reliable clothes washing detergent, using cold water is just as effective. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to put in the washer.Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This cools down your house and lowers energy use. Try to close all your window coverings, but it is especially important to cover any south-facing windows. Cover all of these windows with curtains, blinds or roller shades.Dry your clothes on a line or rack in the summer instead of a dryer. Hanging your clothes outside to dry in the sun will give your clothes an incredible fresh smell. Laundry will smell fresher and cleaner, much more so than when they were in the dryer. Additionally, you will end up saving lots of money each month on utility bills.Don’t run the dishwasher unless it is filled to capacity. It uses the same amount of energy and water, no matter how full it is. When you do use the dishwasher, be certain to always use the setting for saving energy, which air-dries your dishes.Do maintenance on your fridge to save money. Since the refrigerator is an appliance that consumes a lot of energy, it is important to keep it in top-working order. Be sure that you’re regularly cleaning the dust that builds up near the heating coils. Also, make sure that the seal around the door is clean and tight.
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Dressing warmly can help you reduce your energy usage. Even just a lightweight sweater keeps you two degrees warmer, and a heavyweight sweater will keep you four degrees warmer. You don’t need to dress lightly inside, so wear a sweater!Investigate options for heating your oven through solar energy. These can even be made yourself using items such as a box, a discarded window, and some tin foil. This oven uses only solar energy and can reach cooking temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.If you are trying to achieve a greener lifestyle, there are many options for you. You might not be capable of spending lots of money in going green, but there are simple things that you could do such as cleaning your furnace’s filters each month or by setting your heat at sixty degrees when you are not at home. Setting your water heater to 120 F will also be an energy saver. No change is too small.Upgrading your home’s boiler is a smart way to save energy. A lot of the older boilers weren’t made to conserve energy, yet newer ones were made to keep this in mind. They can reduce your energy bill and they don’t produce as much carbon dioxide.When purchasing wood items, consider getting products that are crafted from bamboo. Bamboo, which is actually a grass, is very energy-efficient. It is also quite strong compared to woods commonly used to build furniture. Since it grows so quickly, it can cheaply and efficiently be made into all kinds of home goods without damaging the environment. This saves energy on the recycling and production end of manufacturing products.If you can, try switching out your old windows for ones that are more energy-efficient. These new types of windows cut energy bills, keep outside noises quiet, reduce carbon dioxide in your home and keep condensation to a minimum.To increase your home’s energy efficiency, try weatherizing your home. By sealing ducts, adding insulation, and putting in more energy efficient windows, heaters, and cooling systems, you are reducing the amount of energy needed to run your home. You will also enjoy a decreased energy bill.Use your lights responsibly to make a greener home. During times of the year when the days are longer, keep light usage to certain times of the day. You can use dimmers to adjust light usage to a lower amount, and timers or sensors can be used to be sure that lights aren’t left on after someone has left a room.While wading through the sea of ideas online isn’t fun, getting started with the tips listed here will be. All these tips make using green energy technologies simple and affordable for the average home or business owner. Your pocketbook or wallet and the environment itself will be appreciative of your efforts!