There is a wealth of green energy information out there, so it can be hard to find what you need easily.
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Natural fabrics, including cotton, cause moisture to move away from the body, which means it stays cooler. You can also try wearing lighter colors, they help you feel cooler, lessening your need for artificial cold air.
It is also a good idea to install filters on every register in your home. This stops debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts.
Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not at home. This will keep the house cool and reduce energy usage down while you’re away. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, lined curtains.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. However, before beginning this process, you need to realize a few things. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. 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.
Consider solar water heaters for your home. If you live somewhere where you don’t have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can purchase a system that can circulate water via a solar heater prior to being pumped to your home. However, consider that you may still need a traditional heater if you will be using a great deal of hot water, or if the sun does not come out.
Turn you appliances off electrical items when you’re not using them. When you leave the room you should think about what is not in use, like the lights, lights and computers are turned off. A power strip offers a handy way to shut down multiple devices at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.
Think about heating your water with solar water heaters. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. Though you can use this system, it’s best to have a regular water heater for backup purposes, just in case there is a day with little sunlight or more water usage than normal.
Learn about the difference between passive and active solar power. While passive is simply using the sun to store thermal energy inside your walls to heat your house.
Write a reminder to remain on top of goals for energy efficiency, and check every utility bill against the previous year’s to see if you are making gains.For instance, if you actively attempted to use less water or power, you are also likelier to turn off appliances or unused lights.
Don’t leave anything on that you aren’t using. Make sure that all lights are off when you exit a room, and also consider switching off the power for your television set, computer and stereo. Use power strips for home electronics. As well, turn this off when you’re not using your electronics. Products in standby mode still waste power.
Use the microwave when you can to save on energy while cooking. Ovens and stoves use much more energy than the microwave for cooking. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can.
Green technology may be more expensive at first, but you will be paid back through lower energy bills for the life of the appliances. It is also pay off in the long run for the environment.
The flow of air in a home is better controlled when you have stormed windows and doors installed. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Energy efficiency can be increased up to 45% in a home with storm windows and doors.
Energy Star
A simple way to locate appliances that are energy efficient is to see if they have an Energy Star logo. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and additionally the EPA. These appliances are usually the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
Electric heaters should only be used when necessary in order to be more green. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. Keep in mind, cooler air while sleeping makes your breathing better, and keeps your airways from getting too dry.
Heat each room of your home separately. This is a great idea for larger homes.
Check your refrigerator seals to avoid wasting electricity. A break in the seal can use an unnecessary usage of power, wasting both energy and money.
Replacing an old boiler can save energy. Older boilers were not created with energy conservation in mind, but newer boiler varieties are more efficient. They create less carbon dioxide, something that can greatly be good for anyone’s health, and it also cuts your electricity bill significantly.
A simple way to help save energy is to thaw your frozen foods in the fridge. This is a safe way to thaw your foods.
You can see significant savings on your energy costs without sacrificing the temperature of your needs.
Investing more money up front in green energy appliances will pay off by saving you money over time. Green technologies are often a little more expensive than traditional items but the investment will pay off in the money that you save on decreased utilities. It will also make a big difference for the environment.
Bottled water usually is just filtered tap water, and a lot of energy is wasted by the bottling process. If you think your community’s tap water is either unhealthy or tastes bad, buy a metal water bottle that can be used over and over again, re-usable water bottle and use a filter that needs to be replaced every few months.
Reading through green energy forums online isn’t necessarily fun, but using the tips contained in the preceding article will be. Not only are they very easy, but they are affordable changes that you can start making today. The environment and your wallet will both thank you for making these small changes.
Don’t forget to use ceiling fans just because it’s wintertime. When you change their rotation to clockwise, they move warm air from the ceiling downward, and that keeps the air in the room a little warmer. That reduces the demand placed on heating appliances like a furnace. This will save energy so that makes running the fans worth it.