The Earth needs our help to keep it healthy, and green energy is one great way we can help this process along. There are a wide variety of green energy technologies available that provide power from sustainable resources. So, you are probably wondering how to make green changes in your life. Continue reading to learn about it.
Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Solar water heaters tap into the abundant and free energy offered by the sun. Water heated by other methods, like natural gas, propane, or electricity, is not an efficient method. You may be eligible for tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Cotton and linen wick away moisture from your skin so that you stay cooler. Wear light colors because these will make you warmer and it will be less likely for you to use artificial cold air.
If you aren’t using something, turn it off. For example, if you are not in a certain room, turn off the lights, TV or computer. A power strip offers a handy way to shut down multiple devices at once, and it prevents passive electrical use due to standby modes.
If you use a dishwasher to clean your dishes, do not run it until it is completely full. A half load uses the exact same amount of water and energy as a full one. When the dishwasher is used, it is also important to use the main energy-saving feature, which air-dries the dishes.
Indirect Systems
Save on water heating costs by using solar energy. Solar hot-water systems can reduce your energy bills significantly. There are direct circulation systems as well as indirect systems. Indirect systems are the best if you have frozen pipes during the winter.
If you would like to live your life green, stay away from excess electric heater usage. Using a fireplace and wearing warm clothing are good, energy-saving alternatives to using electric heaters. Cooler air is better for sleeping anyway, because it prevents airways from becoming dry.
Find out more about active and passive forms of solar power. Active power is stored for use at a later time, passive does not require expensive cells to store the power. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
A solar oven is an energy efficient way of baking. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. These ovens are no slouches. They can be heated up to 300 degrees, consume no energy, and are simple to construct.
If you would like to save the environment, remember that it can be done in small steps as well as big ones. 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. Lowering the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees will save you money too. Each little bit makes a difference!
Use biofuels as a heat source. Biofuels are usually composed of vegetable fats, animal fats, wood and oil. If you have a propane furnace a professional may be able to convert your furnace to a bio-fuel furnace. You would be able to use anywhere from 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
5 Gallons
Get a water-saving toilet. It has been estimated that as much as 50 percent of the water which is used in one’s home is flushed down the toilet. 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.
There is no better time to make the changes towards being greener in our energy consumption. While all power sources impact the environment, green energy minimizes the effects. After reading this article, you can go green!