If you have considered green energy for a while, but are not sure where to begin, read on. Do you think it costs a fortune to invest into green energy? Ignore the past and embrace the future, by reading the article and making changes that will help your home.
The are several simple techniques to conserve energy. If there is an appliance you aren’t using, then unplug it. Turn off lights and other electronics in a room when you leave. This simple tip can go a long way in saving you money.
Have solar panels installed on your home for an easy, renewable way to power some or all of your home’s appliances. It is important, however, that you do your homework before making the leap. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
Are you a farm owner? If so, you can rent some property to energy companies for installing wind turbines. You and those around you can benefit from the free energy. A turbine doesn’t take up much space, either.
Cover your windows when you are away from home. This will help save energy. You will lower your energy costs since this will help keep your home nice and cool. More often than not, south-facing windows will let in the most sun due to their positioning. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, and dark curtains.
Take the time to properly maintain your refrigerator. 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. You also want to make sure the door seal is tight and clean.
Storm Doors
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. These special storm doors and windows prevent cold air and drafts from entering the home. Energy efficiency increases by 45% in houses that contain stormed windows and doors, which could save you lots of money when it comes to electricity.
Swap out your tank water heater for a tankless type. 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. There are various options when it comes to tankless water heaters, from heating enough water for your entire home to ones that only serve one faucet.
One of the simplest ways that you can go green is by dressing warmly. A thin sweater will provide you with two degrees of additional heat, while a heavier item will add four. Wearing slightly heavier clothes is not any less comfortable and can save you significant money.
A laptop is actually a great alternative for consuming less energy as opposed to using a desktop. This can lower your electrical use by as much as 75%, particularly if you are someone who stays on the Internet for long periods of time. Since laptops are portable, you can use them anywhere.
Pay attention to any federal or local rebates offered for making alternative-energy updates to your home. Sometimes, the local electric company will provide rebates to cover the cost of upgrading. You may also be able to get tax credits or deductions from the government for your upgrades. You can lower the cost of putting green energy into your home by using these credits or rebates.
Microwave Whenever
To save energy during cooking, use your microwave whenever it’s feasible. The stove and oven use a lot more energy to cook foods. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can to cut down on your overall energy consumption.
Replace your toilet with a water-saving model. People have estimated that you flush about 50% of the water from your house down the toilet. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.
An easy way to use green energy is to install a tankless water heater. The older models are constantly running, which ends up wasting energy. Water heaters that use on-demand, will heat water instantly when needed, which ends up saving you a lot in energy costs.
An easy way to start making your home energy-efficient is to talk to your electricity company. Some of the websites of these companies contain tools to show you the amount of energy you use. They may also provide you with advice on how to cut your energy costs and electricity usage. Check out the appliances and light bulbs that they recommend, as well as special programs to help you purchase them.
Investing more money up front in green energy appliances will pay off by saving you money over time. Though the newer technologies are often much more expensive than standard items, the up-front investment will often save tons later in the form of lower energy bills. It will also have a positive effect on the environment over the long term.
Install automatic light sensors with motion detection into your most highly trafficked rooms. This turns the lights off in rooms that have nobody in them, which saves a lot of energy (and money). Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.
60 Degrees
Putting the heat to 60 degrees in the middle of the night, or when you’re gone, is a great way to conserve energy. At 60 degrees, your home uses far less energy than keeping the temperature higher. This helps greatly reduce your energy consumption and saves you money.
What is the best way to use green energy in your home? The information contained here shows you where to start, so it’s all up to you now. Once you begin using this advice, the outcome will shock you.