Going green is gaining in popularity for great reasons. Using green energy can provide a financial windfall for your bank account and help the environment. This article will give you tips so you can live a green lifestyle today.
Solar panels can be an excellent investment for the typical homeowner. It is important, however, that you do your homework before making the leap. One major factor to consider with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home receives. If you’re in a shady area, or a place that doesn’t have many sunny days, you won’t be able to gain as much power.
If you want to preserve energy, keep your windows so they are shaded from sunlight. You can do this by putting up blinds or curtains. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. In addition to conserving energy, you will be able to save money.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. Filters can also be installed in every warm-air register. This will help keep debris from clogging up heating ducts and becoming inoperable.
Instead of using your air conditioner in the summer, try to wear fabrics that are natural. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, remove moisture from skin so that you stay cool. Also, choose lighter color clothing, which reflects the sun rather than absorbs its heat.
Research different sources of green energy available to your community. Compare costs, and keep in mind that new legislation exists which will sometimes reward you for using renewable energy sources. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.
Maintain your furnace to save energy. Replace filters annually and clean them once a month. Installing the filters in warm-air registers is also a great idea. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.
One way to be environmentally friendly is to only run the dishwasher when it is completely full. Don’t run it with only two or three dishes inside. Pack your dishwasher full, and you may be surprised at the amount it can hold. Make sure you take time to place the dishes in properly so as to maximize the space available.
Wash Clothes
If you use a dishwasher to clean your dishes, do not run it until it is completely full. Dishwashers do not allow for minimizing water or power consumption. It is the same, full or not. When you run a dishwasher, use the ‘energy-saver’ setting so dishes can air-dry.
Wash clothes with cold water. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. As long as the washing detergent you use is reliable, using cold water instead of hot water will wash your clothes just as well. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.
When you are preparing to install a solar energy system, ensure that the power storing batteries are located nearby to the cells. This prevents power from getting lost in the cables. This also prevents the long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. Get a solar hot-water system. Indirect or direct circulation systems are both available. If you have been plagued by frozen or broken pipes in the past, an indirect one could be for you.
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. Storm doors and windows lessen the amount of cold air drafts that come in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Energy Costs
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. These professionals can inform you of how much you are wasting by using appliances that are not energy efficient. That can also provide you with an estimate of how much it will be to replace your systems.
Opt to receive as much correspondence as you can through email. Basically, this means using as little paper as possible. This will help the businesses you deal with cut down on energy costs, and it will also save you a lot of money on energy costs too. In addition, it will help protect the environment for all.
Carpooling for work and school activities can cut down on fuel usage. If you have children that you take to school or sporting activities, try setting up a carpool with other parents, and trade off the days you will drive. If you are near friends and family, go food shopping together and take turns driving.
Leave yourself reminder notes to decrease energy usage, and frequently compare past bills with current ones to see if you’re making strides. Simply being more conscious of your energy expenditures can help you to significantly reduce them. You can make the effort to reduce water and power consumption, and it will likely become a habit.
On-demand water heaters work great as a green device. Traditional water heaters constantly keep a full tank of water hot, which sits idle until it is used. Using an on-demand water heater is a great way to save both energy and money.
A good tip for saving energy is to change your boiler. A lot of the older boilers weren’t made to conserve energy, yet newer ones were made to keep this in mind. Newer boilers help by producing less carbon dioxide as well as cut down the cost of your energy bill.
Automatic light sensors including motion detection should be installed. The lights in these rooms are turned off by the sensors when not in use, resulting in energy and money savings. Also remember to do this outside for your garage’s lighting, too.
Bamboo is a wonderful option to consider in your home. It is a green product and is actually a grass; however, it is quite durable and works well even in high traffic areas. Bamboo grows quickly and it used for several products including flooring. This can save energy for by way of recycling and less manufacturing of parts.
Sealing your home from the weather will help conserve energy. Ideas to help weatherize your home include adding insulation, sealing furnace ducts and installing energy efficient windows. You will also enjoy a decreased energy bill.
The extra money that you may spend will quickly come back to you. While greener technology is often more expensive initially, the long-term savings will more than offset this. It is also one more positive impact on the environment that compounds.
If you want a greener home, then choose more responsibility for your light usage. When it is brighter outside, in spring and summer, wait until a certain time to turn on lights indoors. Dimmers along with timers and light sensors can be used to lessen the amount of light you use when not needed.
Energy Star Logo
There are a lot of things you can do to save energy when you wash your laundry. Start in using moisture control settings that turns your dryer off when clothes are dry. Using the high-spin speed will reduce the moisture in clothing and decrease the time needed for drying. Always make sure that the dryer filters are clean and that there are no clogs in the vent.
An easy way to identify energy efficient appliances and products is to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. If your appliance has an ENERGY STAR logo, then it falls within the guidelines set by both the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, they are generally more likely to have a tax rebate.
Decrease prices on green technology by demanding access to those products. Consumers have the power and right to insist on eco-friendly technology. The more often a product is purchased, the less expensive it becomes to manufacture. An additional benefit to demanding green products is that it encourages manufacturers to develop new environmentally friendly practices.
If you want to transform your home into a “green home,” the iconic way to do this is by installing solar panels. Solar panels are a large investment, but the savings you will enjoy by using solar energy will make up for the extra expenditure. Once your solar panels are installed, you can generate lots of free power. It’s also possible to sell some of your excess power to nearby electric companies.
Making ice on your own helps save a lot of time and energy. Your refrigerator’s automatic ice maker can require excess electricity and could break down. Another downfall to ice makers is that they can break or leak. Avoid these problems by making your ice yourself.
It’s a great idea to seal the freezer and fridge so you don’t waste energy. A broken seal can cause your refrigerator to run unnecessarily, wasting energy and hurting your pocketbook at the same time. If you want to know if the seal needs to be replaced, put a piece of paper between the door and the fridge and see if it slides out easily.
Swap out your old thermostat for a programmable thermostat. You can program them so your heating and cooling are minimized when you are sleeping or not at home. The newest models can have a number of stop and start times for every day of the week, in order to best conserve power.
There are a few ways to conserve energy when you do laundry. Use a dryer with a moisture sensor that shuts the dryer down when the clothes have finished drying. Use high spin speeds to cut the moisture in laundry; that will cut drying time as well. Clean the dryer filters regularly.
Get a green job — plenty of new jobs are being created in the growing “green energy” employment sector. Be receptive to the idea of entering the green energy field. This could be a transition that benefits you or your family. Find more about these jobs like wind or solar technicians.
Thawing frozen food in your fridge is another good energy saver. You will thaw your food in a safer manner and your fridge will not have to work hard with the frozen items inside. This could lower your total energy usage.
Think about changing the type of light bulbs you use. You may want to get greener bulbs to save energy. There are several alternatives to incandescent lighting which are much more eco-friendly. They provide an adequate amount of light while using a fraction of the energy necessary for regular bulbs. You can keep your home environmentally friendly easily and effectively in this manner.
Hopefully, you have found the information in this article of great use for your home. Green energy is a great way to help your environment and feel good about your contribution! Use the information you received here to make your home more efficient and greener for all.
Obviously if you are going to the expense of installing solar panels it is important that they are directed towards the sun. For example, a house in the Northern Hemisphere must have panels which face towards the south at an angle which is equal to the latitude you reside at plus 15 degrees. The better the positioning, the better your results will be.
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