If you are curious about greener energy sources, and how they apply to your life and home, this article will shed some light on the many benefits of green energy to both your finances and the environment. The tips below will explain how you can use green energy in your home.
Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. Many of these improvements will cost you a bit up front, but the cost savings and tax deductions will usually more than offset that cost.
Wear natural fabrics instead of using the air conditioning in the summer. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. If you wear lighter colors, you will also feel cooler than if you wore black or another dark color.
Clean or replace the filters on your furnace once each year, and check once a month to see if they need to be cleaned. If your air intakes and registers do not have filters, take the time to install them. This will help keep debris or dirt from clogging vents and reducing their overall efficiency.
You may be able to use solar water heaters, and they can warm your water efficiently. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. But, be sure to keep a regular water heater for a backup should the sun not come out or for times that you need large amounts of hot water.
Dry clothes on a clothelines during the summer. In addition to the energy savings, you clothes will smell incredible. They will have a much fresher smell than drying them with an appliance will provide. In addition, you’ll save money on your utility bills.
If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Don’t run it with only a few things. If you do this, you’ll become used to filling the dishwasher with as many dishes as you can. Think carefully about where you place each dish for optimal storage in the washer.
Replace a water heater that is tank-style, with a model that is green and has no tank. While tankless heaters still require gas or electricity to heat your water, they only heat the amount of water you need, rather than keeping a large tank hot around the clock. You can purchase a tankless heater for a faucet or your whole home.
If you are on a mission to go green, start by keeping electric heaters off or on a very low setting during winter months. Instead, make sure each member of your family has sweaters, robes and slippers, and heat your living areas with a pellet stove or fireplace. It is better to sleep in cooler air, it helps you breathe, and keeps your airways moist.
Avoid cranking the heat in your home unless it’s absolutely necessary. Put on a sweater and sweatpants when it’s cold. When your heat is running it uses more energy than necessary.
Create written reminders of your goals regarding energy efficiency, and compare your utility bills to those of the previous year to determine whether you are making positive steps. Be more conscious of energy usage so you can reduce it. For instance, if you actively attempted to use less water or power, you going to make the effort to turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room.
Heat your house with biofuels. Biofuels are made out of a variety of things, including: oil, wood, and animal/vegetable fats. If you have a propane furnace, sometimes a technician can make modifications to enable you to use a blend of different fuels. This fuel would contain anywhere from 20-99% biodiesel. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
Get appliances that have an Energy Star rating. Appliances that have an Energy Star rating states that the particular appliance being used is made to consume less energy compared to its predecessor that is not rated. The rating promises refrigerators and freezers will use 20 percent less energy, 40 percent less for dishwashers and 50 percent less energy for washing machines.
On-demand water heaters work great as a green device. Traditional water heaters constantly keep a full tank of water hot, which sits idle until it is used. These tankless water heaters instantly heat water as you need it, which saves a significant amount on your utility bills.
Look for appliances with the Energy Star label to find the most energy efficient appliances. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the EPA. In order to receive a tax rebate, the product must meet these guidelines.
Automatic light sensors including motion detection should be installed. This turns the lights off in rooms that have nobody in them, which saves a lot of energy (and money). Don’t forget to also include the outdoor lighting above your garage, too!
Weatherize your home, and it will become more energy-efficient. You can reduce the energy usage of your home by installing energy efficient doors and windows, sealing ducts, replacing faulty heat and air conditioners and adding insulation to your home. The biggest benefit next to helping the environment is the money that you will save on energy costs.
If you cannot use solar energy or a green energy source to power your entire house, attempt to use green energy for some of the house. For instance, you can use panels that could be used to heat your home’s hot water.
Now that you know some tips for saving energy, you will begin to see the benefits to you. Not only that, but green energy is much better for the environment as well. Using the information in this article will show you how easy it is to be green.