It is actually pretty easy to reduce the amount of energy and resources you use in your home. This article contains tips and suggestions to help you can use to get started.
If you plan to purchase lighting for your deck or patio, you should give solar-powered lamps a try. These lamps are inexpensive and do not require any kind of power source other than exposure to the sun. Not only does this save energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.
Wear natural fabrics instead of using the air conditioner during summer months. Wear lighter colors tend to make you feel warm and cause you will be likelier to turn on the A/C.
There are government grants available for investing in green energy. Contact your local government and discover the different programs available in your area. You can qualify for installation or a tax deduction.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. It is also recommended to put filters on every register in your home. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
Be socially responsible, and cut your home energy usage by unplugging your electronic chargers when they are not in use. Chargers for devices like phones, mp3 players, computers and others use small amounts of power any time they are in an outlet, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.
Are you lucky enough to own a farmer? If so, you can rent a piece of your land to a company looking to put in a wind turbine.
Wash clothes with cold water. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Be sure to always do a full load of clothes when you wash.
Use window treatments to shade the inside of your home when you’re not at home. This keeps your house and cuts energy costs. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, lined curtains.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months.This will guarantee you energy no matter the weather, and it saves money during the summer.
Instead of using the dryer, dry your laundry outdoors when weather permits. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. Sun-drying clothes gives them a fresh smell. You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.
Take time to maintain your refrigerator. Since refrigerators tend to eat up a great amount of power, it is important to keep it in top-working order. Make certain to clean the dust that surrounds heating coils often. Make sure the door seal is clean and tight.
Storm Doors
If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Try to refrain from putting small amounts in and running the dishwasher. 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.
Storm doors and storm windows help to better control air flow in the home better. Storm doors and windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that come in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency by as much as 45% which also ends up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Avoid turning the heat in your home unless it’s absolutely necessary. If you are feeling cold, try wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. When your heat unnecessarily high you use far more energy than you need to–and that is expensive!
As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. This can prevent surprises in the winter, so you ensure your home has proper energy inventory. If you generate excess energy during the summer, with the right plan, your utility company will send you a check!
If you are a parent, there’s no reason not to carpool to them. You can also schedule grocery shopping and other errands with your neighbors.
Microwave Whenever
When planning out your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the cells as possible. This prevents energy from dissipating in a long cable. It also lowers the risk of the cable casting a shadow over the cells, which reduces their ability to generate power.
Use a microwave whenever you can in order to save on energy consumption. Ovens and stoves use much more energy than microwaves. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can.
The venerable habit of turning of unnecessary lights when you exit a room. Turning off the lights habitually will save a surprising amount of energy.You also have the added benefit of saving money on your electric bill.
Storm doors and storm windows help to better control air flow in the home. This is because storm windows and doors prevent drafts, which means less cold air enters the home. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.
Use motion detection sensors for lighting in your rooms. These lights only go off when someone is the room, saving energy and money. Remember the lighting outside, as well.
Solar Panels
Dressing in warm attire can be a great way to cut energy costs while embracing green energy. Lighter sweaters can add 2 more degrees of warmth, while heavy sweaters increase warmth by 4 degrees. It’s not necessary to wear so little at home, so out on a sweatshirt and save some cash!
Solar panels can be added to your home green.Although the upfront costs for solar panels are significant, they will save money on electricity costs. Once the panels are in, and you might have the chance to sell some of the power to your electric company.
Turn these ideas into strategies you can use in your own home to create a greener environment. You’ll see your energy bills drop and be proud of the service you are performing for the environment. Take small steps. They will add up over time and you will find you have one of the greenest homes around.
Professionals can help to analyze your home and give you tips on making it more green. They’ll tell you the amount you’re losing due to inefficiency, and they will provide estimates on the cost to upgrade.