There is a lot of information concerning green energy, and it can prove rather difficult to seek out precisely what you need.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. A major factor in choosing if you can use a solar system is the amount of sunlight your home receives on average. If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
When you’re coming up with a design for your outdoor lighting project, think of solar powered lamps as an option. These lamps are inexpensive and do not require any kind of power sources other than direct sun exposure. This saves a ton of energy. It also mean you can avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.
Solar panels are easy to install and can be installed on your roof allowing you to use solar energy. There are some things to consider before installing them. The most important thing to consider is how much sun your home gets on average.
During the hot summer months, hang clothes outside rather than tossing them in the dryer. The sun can dry clothes quickly without using any power, with the added benefit of making your clothes smell extra-fresh. They’ll smell so much better than if you shoved them into a dryer! In addition, you’ll save money on your utility bills.
Wash clothes in cold water. Almost 90 percent of the energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating the water. If your detergent is of good quality, cold water will be as effective as hot when cleaning your laundry.
Consider switching to solar-powered water heaters to make your home. If you live in a sunny climate, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. 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.
If you use a dishwasher to clean your dishes, do not run it until it is completely full. The dishwasher uses the same energy when full that it uses when empty, but you’ll have to run it less often. Using the air-dry setting will save energy when you run the dishwasher.
Solar energy can heat water for a low cost. Consider investing in a solar water heater. You can choose from direct circulation systems or an indirect varieties. Indirect systems are the best if you have frozen pipes freezing.
Take the time to maintain your fridge properly. Since the refrigerator is an appliance that consumes a lot of energy, it’s key to maintain it in working order. Make sure you clean the dust that surrounds heating coils.Make sure door seal is clean and also tight.
When implementing a solar energy system, put the batteries as close to the cells as possible. Power is less likely to be lost in cables this way. It also reduces the chances of the cable shading the cells and reducing their generation capability.
Storm Doors
Storm doors and windows help to better control air flow in the home. Storm doors and windows dramatically reduce the amount of drafts and cold air that get in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase their energy efficiency by as much as 45% which also ends up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Maintaining your refrigerator is an easy way to save energy. Keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape, and running at maximum efficiency, with minimal effort. The heating coils should be cleaned regularly to remove the accumulated dust. In addition, be sure your door seal is tight and clean.
Try receiving as much messaging as possible through email rather than traditional means. In other words, try to be paperless all the time.
A solar oven is a fun and effective way to bake. You can make one using supplies you may already have on-hand like old window panes, boxes, and an old window. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, and reach 300 degrees in temperature simply using the sun.
One of the simplest ways that you can go green is by dressing warmly. 2 degrees of warmth is added by wearing a light sweater, and 4 degrees with a heavy one. There’s no reason you can’t bundle up in the privacy of your own home, so put on a sweater and cut down your energy bill!
Keep an eye on how many watts of electricity you are using.Plug your appliance or gadget into the watt-checking device, and it will tell you how much the unit consumes in energy in one hour, or a year. This will make you realize what each appliance costs you over the long run.
Now that you have some information to work from, you can really get started on the road to going green. These are great, east ways to improve both your home and your life through green energy. Using these tips will benefit both your family and the environment.
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. Active power requires the installation of solar panels, mechanical systems, and cells. Passive is just used via the sun for storing the thermal energy in the walls of your home to heat it.