More and more people are jumping on the green energy bandwagon, and there’s a good reason why. Living green has a unlimited number of environmental and monetary benefits. This article will let you find out some tips about using green energy that you can immediately make use of.

Shade your windows from excessive amounts of sunlight to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Additionally, curtains and blinds can enhance the energy-saving effect you achieve. Keeping your home cool in the summer means you will not be tempted to use the air conditioning as much. You will save energy and money as well.

Reduce your energy consumption by unplugging anything that is not in use, especially battery chargers. Chargers used for cell phones, laptops, mp3 players and other electronic devices use power when they’re plugged in, even if they aren’t charging your device.

Wash clothes with cold water. Almost 90 percent of the consumed energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating up the water. Using a quality detergent means it is unnecessary to use hot water. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.

When not being used, turn things off. When you are ready to leave a room, go around and turn off appliances such as computers, televisions, and most importantly, the overhead light. A power strip should be used for electronics and can be easily turned off when not needed, since the standby mode is still utilizing power.

As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. This will ensure that you are not caught short during winter, and you have excess during the summer. You can actually get money back from your utility company for any energy your generate if you’re on the net usage plan.

Be sure you maintain your refrigerator properly. Because refrigerators use so much energy, it really pays to keep them working as efficiently as possible. Vacuum the coils frequently to remove the dust that can build up and reduce efficiency. Also, check the door to be sure it is sealed tightly.

Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. Look into different green products like eco-friendly doors, double glazed windows, or anything of the sort as they can help reduce the required amount of energy it takes to operate your home. This type of product is perfect for reducing AC costs.

Be aware of federal and state rebates for updating your home with renewable energy. In many cases, the electric company will pay for part of the upgrades. You may also qualify for tax credits or deductions from your state or from the federal government. Credits and rebates will make it easier to afford green technology.

There is a lot you can do if you want to save energy. Many of these options will not cost you money, but will instead save you money, like cleaning your furnace filter monthly and turning down your thermostat when you are leaving your home. Setting your water heater to 120 F will also be an energy saver. Any little effort helps!

Try using LED lights as opposed to conventional ones for the next holiday season. The use of LED lights reduces the use of electricity according to research. The Department of Energy has shown that the United States could conserve over 2 billion kWh of electricity if all households switched light types. This is enough energy to power 20,000 houses in one year. An additional benefit to using LED lights is the savings you will receive on your electric bill.

Switch out an old boiler. Old boilers weren’t manufactured with energy-savings in mind. New ones, however, are made to be energy efficient. They produce much less carbon dioxide that benefits you, and they cut down on energy costs.

Energy Star Rating

Get appliances that have an Energy Star rating. To receive an Energy Star rating from the government, appliances must meet minimum efficiency standards, unlike the non-rated appliances you may currently own. The amount of energy saved depends on the type of appliance. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy, while dishwashers use 40% less. Washing machines use half as much energy as their non-rated counterparts.

You may want to get bamboo items when you’re in the market for something made out of wood. Bamboo is a green, grass product, but it is much stronger than most of the commercial wood types. This fast-growing product is used in a wide variety of wood items. Everything from floors to cutting boards can be made with bamboo. That will save energy in production costs during manufacturing, as well as in recycling.

An easy way to start making your home energy-efficient is to talk to your electricity company. Utility companies provide some powerful tools online to measure and control your electricity usage. Make sure you investigate all programs and rebates offered if you buy energy-efficient items, from large appliances to light bulbs.

Energy Efficient

Even though appliances that are energy efficient cost more than those that are not, they are worth it because they will save you money over the long term. Using energy efficient gadgets and appliances will save you money on your energy bill, which adds up from month to month to equal greater savings for you. This will pay off for the environment, too.

A good green energy tip is to regularly inspect the seals on your freezer and fridge to keep from wasting energy. Seals that are broken can cause your appliances to run more than they normally would require. This will waste energy and your money! To see whether your seal needs replacing, insert a sheet of paper in your door and make sure that it does not slide out easily.

The information that was given here should be quite useful to you in your attempts for a greener life. Green energy provides a number of benefits, including making you feel good about what you’re doing. Use these tips to make energy uses in your home more efficient and greener.