Lessening the amount of energy sources that run your home can be a lot simpler than you think. With a combination of some small and big changes, you could lessen your carbon footprint, as well as save money in the process. Here are some places you can start.
Cutting back on your daily electricity usage can save lots of energy over time. When you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. When you are no longer using them, turn off lights and the television. This simple little suggestion can save you money.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Wear light colors; dark colors tend to make you feel warm and you will be likelier to turn on the air conditioner.
The government has grants available to those who are willing to invest in alternative renewable energies. Ask at your local municipality office to research what types of programs might be available to you. You could possibly qualify for wind or solar installation at little or no cost, or you can deduct these kind of expenses from taxes.
Solar panels are easy to install. But before you do this, there are a few things you must take into account. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. If you live in an area with a lot of shade, or worse, a lot of cloudy days, you’ll be unable to make full use of solar panels.
Maintain your furnace to save energy. Replace filters annually and clean them once a month. Adding filters to your warm-air registers is not a bad idea, either. This will keep everything out of the air ducts, keeping your energy efficiency high.
Cover your windows if you’re not going to be home. They will help to keep the temperature and the energy consumption of the house down when the house is vacant. Generally, your home’s south-facing walls and windows receive the most sun exposure. Thermally insulated black-out curtains are the best option, but blinds and shades can also work.
When weather is good, skip the energy-hogging dryer and dry your clothes on an outdoor clothesline. The sun will dry your clothing for free and the summer breeze will leave it smelling amazing. They’ll smell so much better than if you shoved them into a dryer! This will save you a ton on your utility bills, leaving you extra money to turn your air conditioning on instead.
Don’t keep things turned on all the time. When you leave any room, turn off lights, tvs, computers or any other electrical devices. A power strip offers a handy way to shut down multiple devices at once, and it prevents passive electrical use due to standby modes.
When determining the economical impact of a PV solar system, be sure to run a calculation using the hours of winter sunlight. As winter sunlight is much lower than summer, you will want to be able to plan for higher energy costs in winter. Be sure to get a net-usage plan with the energy company so that you can get money from them when you put the surplus energy onto their grid.
Swap out your tank water heater for a tankless type. While they do require energy to heat the water, they require only a small amount of energy to heat a smaller amount of water. There are various options when it comes to tankless water heaters, from heating enough water for your entire home to ones that only serve one faucet.
One of the simplest ways that you can go green is by dressing warmly. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. So, to save some money, pick up a nice warm sweater and refrain from dressing scantily.
Find out more about active and passive forms of solar power. While active power requires storage cells, passive power doesn’t. To use active power it requires mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive energy is about using windows and insulation to keep your home warm and well-lit.
Increase your energy efficiency by making use of the right products that are designed for a greener environment. Ecologically friendly windows and doors can minimize the energy you need to operate your home efficiently. Your heat and cooling costs can drop dramatically by using these products.
Use a laptop computer instead of desktop, which uses much more energy. This can lower your electrical use by as much as 75%, particularly if you are someone who stays on the Internet for long periods of time. You can also bring your computer anywhere if you have a laptop.
Switching out your boiler for a newer, more efficient model can be a great way to save energy. Old boilers were created without considering energy consumption, and new boilers are more efficient. They are healthier, as they emit less carbon dioxide, and you will reduce your energy bill as well.
Use a toilet designed to conserve water. You can save a lot of water from being flushed away if you upgrade to an energy efficient model. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.
Many people forget to turn off machines and lights that they aren’t using, even though it seems obvious. If someone did that every day, they would slash their energy bill a great deal. Think in advance about what you need to do, and make it a habit to turn off anything that you are no longer using.
Put solar panels on the roof to make the home greener. Adding solar panels won’t require a big investment in the beginning, and the savings will be quite significant down the road. Solar energy becomes free when the panels are installed and you may be able to sell power to some local electric companies.
Find some way to incorporate what you’ve just learned into your life. Green energy helps protect our environment but also pays you back in household savings. Take small steps. They will add up over time and you will find you have one of the greenest homes around.