Reconfiguring your home to use less energy is easier than it has ever been before. Reduce the carbon footprint of your home and save money through big or small changes to your energy sources. For some simple ideas, continue reading.
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. If an appliance is not in use, unplug it. Always turn off the television and lights when you are not using them. This is an easy way to save cash as well.
Think about getting solar powered lamps for outdoor lighting. These lamps are very cheap, as they require no external power source, just the sun. Not only does this save energy. You also don’t need to hang lights or wires outdoors.
Solar panels are easy to install and can collect sunlight for energy. However, before doing this, you need to consider a few things. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. If you live in a shady place, or a location with a cloudy climate, solar isn’t the choice for you.
Every year, replace your furnace’s filters, and every month, see if they require a cleaning. Install filters for your warm-air registers, too. Register filters will help prevent debris increasing efficiency.
One great way of conserving energy is to ensure the dishwasher is only turned on when full. Avoid running the dishwasher when there isn’t a full load to run. Dishwashers can usually hold many dishes. Line up the same types of dishes, such as plates and cups so you are filling it completely.
Maintain your refrigerator well. Refrigerators constantly use energy to maintain cooler temperatures. If it is not properly cared for, it will use much more energy than it needs to. Regularly make sure the heating coils are dust-free. Also, ensure that the door seals tightly and that it is clean.
Storm doors and windows offer better air flow in the home. They will help prevent cold air drafts in your home. Energy efficiency is increased by 45 percent in homes that have stormed doors and windows, which will save a lot of money on electricity.
If green energy is a concept which you embrace, minimize the use of electrical heaters during the winter months. A fireplace for the living area, wearing warmer clothing and purchasing some slippers are all greener ways of keeping the family warm. Cool air helps sleeping patterns, as well as improving breathing.
Understand the difference between passive and active solar power. Active systems store the solar energy for use later, while passive systems just use the sun’s heat as energy. To use active power it requires mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
Make your home more energy efficient by purchasing energy saving products to help you save energy. Certain green items, such as eco-friendly windows and doors and double glazed windows, cut down on energy you need to keep your home going efficiently. This type of product is perfect for reducing AC costs.
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. They can tell you if your appliances are running efficiently, and if there are changes you can make. They may also be able to offer estimates as to what it would cost to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
Monitor how many watts you’re using. There are many items on the market you can buy to track your energy use, such as the Kill-a-Watt. Plug the appliance into the device, and it can tell you the amount of energy it uses within an hour, month, or even a year. This can show what your appliance is costing you.
If you are trying to achieve a greener lifestyle, there are many options for you. Going green doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money, as you can begin simply by setting the thermostat to 60 degrees for those periods when you are not home.
You can also conduct monthly cleanings of your furnace filters. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. Every little bit helps!
One of the oldest tips in the book is to make sure that you turn off all electronics and lights when you leave any room to save energy. Developing this habit can save you a surprising amount of energy over the long term. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.
If you cannot get a renewable energy source, like solar energy, to provide power to your entire home, try seeing if you can get it installed to power some of your home. You may be able to use solar energy to heat hot water or meet some of your other needs without heating your whole home this way.
Demand green energy technologies, and help to lower their cost. It is your right to demand that your elected officials find new green technologies and help you use them. As demand and consumption of products made from environmentally green companies rises, the availability of these products will increase. A lot of manufacturers will try and make it profitable for you to purchase items that are in demand.
Don’t drink bottled water. Bottled water is often just repackaged tap water, and the process of bottling the water and transporting it to the store is very wasteful. If you want to drink tap water but don’t trust the source, consider buying a filter for your tap, or even a Brita water jug.
Use some of the information you read in the preceding paragraphs to make your household a greener one. Green energy helps protect our environment but also pays you back in household savings. Before long, you will have one of the greenest homes around!