You may have heard about green energy, but you are not quite sure what it all means. If you’re wondering what green energy technology is all about or why you should care about it, you’ve come to the right place. Read the following article to learn more about green living.
Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. These lamps require now power source, except the sun, and are generally inexpensive. This will save significant energy. It also means you don’t need hard wired outdoor lights.
Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Solar water heaters are much more energy efficient than electric or gas-driven water heating systems. Solar systems use the sun’s energy to stabilize water temperature. While some upgrades cost more initially, they can qualify you for deductions on your tax return for using green energy.
Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Moisture-wicking athletic fabrics pull moisture away from your skin, creating a cooling sensation. Also, choose lighter color clothing, which reflects the sun rather than absorbs its heat.
Shade your windows from the sun to prevent energy usage. Additionally, curtains and blinds can enhance the energy-saving effect you achieve. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You will save money and energy at the same time.
People can get government grants to invest in some renewable energies. Contact your city or county government and ask about energy conservation programs available in your area. You could qualify for a no-cost wind or solar installation, or at the very least, receive a tax deduction.
Are you a farmer? If you have one, an energy company may be interested in renting a portion of the property to install a wind turbine. Not only does it take up very little space, both you and the neighbors will greatly benefit from this free energy.
Wash clothes with cold water. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water. Cold water will do the job just as well; all you need is an effective clothes washing detergent. Another great tip is to always fill up the washer with a full load so that you’re being as efficient as possible.
Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not home. This cools down your house and lowers energy use. Generally, the south-facing windows get the most sun because of their position. Cover all of these windows with curtains, blinds or roller shades.
If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. Many systems will take a switch to some level of biodiesel without any extra parts or modifications. Biodiesel is cleaner and more efficient to burn than oil, and it has a better affect on the environment.
One way to be environmentally friendly is to only run the dishwasher when it is completely full. Try to refrain from putting small amounts in and running the dishwasher. Your dishwasher can probably hold a lot more dishes than you think. Line up the same types of dishes, such as plates and cups so you are filling it completely.
Maybe you can use solar water heaters instead of traditional heating methods. Best for locations with a warmer climate, a solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water that circulates through it. Even though solar water heaters are useful, it is still necessary to have a normal water heater for periods of extended cloudy weather or unusually high hot water use.
Make sure your refrigerator is properly maintained. Refrigerators use a large amount of energy, so they should be taken care of to work their best. Be sure to regularly clean out the dust around the heating coils. Check the door seal for dirt, debris and leaks.
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. Whenever you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off lights, televisions, and computers. If you run your electronics through a power strip, you can turn everything off in that room with one switch.
Get rid of your old tank-style water heater, and replace it with a modern tankless model. Even though you still need electricity or gas in order to heat water with these tanks, they use only the water you need instead of always keeping your whole tank heated. Tankless heaters come in various models that either supply a single faucet or the whole house with hot water.
Keep your refrigerator in good condition. Since the fridge consumes lots of energy, it’s key to maintain it in working order. Regularly make sure the heating coils are dust-free. In addition, be sure your door seal is tight and clean.
If you love green energy and green living, consider using electric heaters less during the winter months. In order to do this, you need to do two things. First, buy the necessary clothing and slippers, to keep family members warm. Second, use a pellet stove or fireplace for heating. Cool air helps sleeping patterns, as well as improving breathing.
If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Your home’s energy efficiency will increase by as much as 45% if you install storm windows and doors!
Degrees Warmer
Opt for emails over paper whenever possible; get on no-mail lists for catalogs and junk mail. In short, try to be paperless all the time. You help both you and other businesses you communicate with save resources and energy. This protects the environment, too.
Dressing warmly can help you reduce energy and go green. Even just a lightweight sweater keeps you two degrees warmer, and a heavyweight sweater will keep you four degrees warmer. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so dress warmly and save money!
One option available to you for heating your home is biofuels. Biofuels consist of vegetable or animal fats, wood and oils. Propane furnaces can be changed to use multiple fuels. That would be around 20-99% biodiesel. Be sure you discuss any new fuel use in your home with a pro before starting.
There are active and passive options for solar energy systems. Using active power means storing energy for later use, while passive energy is about benefiting from the warmth or light of the sun rays right away. Active solar power requires solar panels, cells, and mechanical systems. While passive simply uses the sun in storing thermal energy in your walls in order to heat your house.
Replacing your boiler unit is an excellent way to save energy. Boilers that are more than a few years old were not made to conserve energy, while many modern boilers are quite efficient. Newer boilers produce far less carbon dioxide and reduce energy bills.
Switch out an old boiler. Old boiler units were not designed with energy conservation in mind, yet new boilers are typically more efficient. Newer models have multiple benefits; not only can they lower your energy bills, but they often create a lower amount of carbon dioxide, which can will be lot better for your family’s health.
Many people forget to turn off machines and lights that they aren’t using, even though it seems obvious. Just by simply being aware of things that are on, and making an effort to turn things off when not in use, you can substantially save on your energy bills. Consider the possible impacts on your own bills and be sure to shut off lights and gadgets when not in use.
Energy Usage
Ask the electric company to help you figure out how to increase the energy efficiency in your home. Several light and utility companies provide tips and tools on their website to let you know the amount of energy you are using and wasting. Check out programs that help you buy energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances.
Replace old, energy-hogging appliances with new versions that are Energy Star rated. Energy Star appliances are guaranteed to use less energy than those made previously. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
Spending the extra money on buying green electronics and appliances pays off in the long run. Energy savings, coupled with monetary savings, will make the investment worthwhile over the longer term. This will pay off for the environment, too.
One of the oldest tips in the book is to make sure that you turn off all electronics and lights when you leave any room to save energy. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.
A simple way to locate appliances and products that are energy efficient is to see if they have an Energy Star logo. ENERGY STAR appliances must meet all the guidelines which have been established by the U.S. Department of Energy in addition to those of the Environmental Protection Agency. Sometimes these products offer tax rebates.
You should seek out help from your electric company as you begin to make your home energy-efficient. Many of the utility companies have added website tools that help you review your current energy usage and look for ways to reduce it. They may also have programs that offer incentives for purchasing energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
If you want to transform your home into a “green home,” the iconic way to do this is by installing solar panels. This costs quite a bit of money at the outset, but the savings from using solar energy will make them pay for themselves after several years. Once you have the panels installed solar energy then becomes free, and with any excess power you gather you can potentially sell that to electric companies.
Use weatherizing techniques to improve the energy efficiency rating of 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 help reduce the cost of your energy bill in the process.
Use your ceiling fan in the winter. A ceiling fan spinning clockwise will push warmer air downward from the ceiling, reducing the amount of heat your home needs to produce. The energy you will save from not having to use the furnace as much will cover what you need for the fan.
Save a substantial amount of money on your monthly bill by heating each room separately. The best method for doing this is by getting a heating solution for your floor that gives you the opportunity to monitor many different areas of your home and choose specific temperatures. So if you have a larger home then this is a great solution to keeping it warm while saving energy at the same time.
If you could not get an energy source that is renewable, such as solar energy to use for your whole house, try to see if you could get power installed to power a portion of your home. For example, you could just get panels installed that can be used to only heat the hot water for your home.
Well, now you can see what green energy is all about, and you should be able to use it in your own home. Use the strategies in this guide to help you make use of green technology in your house. Not only will the environment thank you, your wallet will too.
Decrease prices on green technology by demanding access to those products. As a consumer you have the right and the power to demand environmentally friendly technologies. The more you request them, the more products that will be available at reduced prices. Also, manufacturers will switch their practices in order to maintain a profit.
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