Have you considered green energy before but didn’t know what to do about it? Does it seem as though it would be a personal or financial hardship to go green?
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Cotton and similar fabrics will draw moisture from your skin, so you will stay cool. Lighter colors also make you feel cooler.
Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat. You may be eligible for tax deductions to offset the expense of installing some of this technology.
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, laptops, computers and others use small amounts of power any time they are in an outlet, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.
Use windows covering for when you’re not home. This will keep the house cool and reduce energy costs. Generally, the south-facing windows get the most sun because of their position. Dark curtains, roller or roman shades can cover windows well.
Only run your dishwasher when it is full will save you money and energy. Don’t run it with only a few dishes inside. You may be shocked to learn the number of dishes that can fit in your dishwasher.
Storm Windows
Look for rebates for green-energy technology installations. In some instances, the local company gives rebates for upgrading to green tech. Additionally, it may be possible to take advantage of tax rebates offered by state and federal governments. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Storm doors and windows offer better control air flow in the home. Storm windows dramatically reduce the cool air that tries to get into your home. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase their energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Use a tankless and more green instead of a tank style heater. Tankless water heaters still require power to heat the water, but since they heat water on demand, rather than heating a tank of water that you’re not always using. Tankless heaters are available in models that supply the entire home or certain faucets.
Check and manage your watt usage. There are many items on the market you can buy to track your energy use, such as the Kill-a-Watt. Plug your appliances into these devices and they can let you know how much energy they use in an hour, a month, or a year. You can then use this information to find out how much the appliance really costs to run.
Pay attention to any federal and local rebates offered for making alternative-energy updates to your house. Local utility companies may even offer rebates for upgrades. You may also be able to get state and federal tax credits or deductions from the government for your upgrades. These tax savings can reduce the net cost of installing alternative energy technology in your house.
Avoid turning the heat in your home unless you have to.If it is a little chilly, wear warmer clothing, like a sweatshirt and sweatpants. You waste a lot of wasted energy if you have heat levels turned up too high.
Get appliances that have an Energy Star rating. If you buy an Energy Star-rated appliance, it is guaranteed to use far less energy than the one it replaced. The amount of energy saved varies by appliances; you can save a lot of energy on your washing machine, refrigerator and dishwasher use if you switch to Energy Star appliances.
Use LED holiday lights to decorate for the holidays instead of traditional strand lights. According to research by the U.S. That amount of electricity could power 200,000 homes for one full year. You can at least look forward to saving money on your electric bill.
Use the microwave when you can to save energy while cooking. Ovens use lots more energy to prepare food than microwaves. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can.
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. It is also one more positive impact on the environment that compounds.
A good green energy technology tip is to use a tankless water heater that is on-demand. The older models are constantly running, even running when not needed and that wastes energy.
Many people typically don’t turn off lights, even though it seems obvious.If you do this every day, an enormous amount of energy could be saved.
You should always be using your ceiling fans, even in the winter. Switch them to rotate in a clockwise position, which pushes warm air back down where you need it, and reduces your overall heating needs. It is much less costly to run your ceiling fans than it is to run your furnace.
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 can also have a beneficial impact on the environment in long-lasting environmental benefits.
Energy Star
If using solar energy to power your whole home is too daunting or expensive a task, consider applying it for just some of your energy needs. For instance, just installing enough solar panels to provide hot water helps a lot.
A simple way to identify appliances and products 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 plus those of the EPA. These products are also often the only ones that can be used for tax rebates.
What steps should you take to help you take advantage of green energy at home? This article has provided you with the answer, but it’s up to you to start using the techniques listed here, in your own life. You’ll be surprised by the results you see.
Consumers can help lower the cost of green technology by demanding energy efficient and environmentally friendly products. As a consumer, demand technology that is environmentally friendly. If your voice is heard, and your vote is in the balance, the prices on green alternatives will be forced to go down. It also encourages businesses to manufacture their products differently in order to remain profitable.