With the multitude of green-energy information available online today, it can be overwhelming to try and find a plan of action that will work for you. In the article below, you will learn a few tips about how to stay green and efficient in your daily life.
Feel Cooler
Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
The government has grants available to those who are willing to invest in alternative renewable energies. Ask your local authorities what kinds of programs are available in your area. For example you may be able to qualify for a grant for the installation of solar or wind powered technologies.
You could easily have solar panels in your house to collect energy from the sun for you to use. Consider some things before you do this, as you will benefit from the thought process. You should definitely consider how much sun your home is exposed to. You can’t take as much advantage of solar energy if your house gets a lot of shade rather than sun.
You can reduce the amount of electricity that you use, and be a better energy user by removing chargers that power your devices from outlets when they are not in use. Anytime a charger is plugged in, it is using a bit of energy.
Try to use cold water for washing clothes. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Also, don’t wash your clothes until you can completely fill the washer, as this saves energy over time.
Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not home. This simple act blocks the sun from entering and heating your house in the summer, while in the winter, it keeps the heat from escaping through drafty windows. Typically, the south facing windows are the ones that get the most amount of sun due to their location. Install window coverings like heavy curtains, drapes, roman or roller shades, or blinds on all windows.
Heating your water with the power of the sun can be very efficient. If you live somewhere where you don’t have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can use a system that circulates water through the solar heater before it gets pumped into your home. Having a conventional heater as a back up if you expect a surge in hot water use can be wise.
Don’t keep things turned on all the time. When you leave a room, switch off the lights, computer or T.V. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Be sure you maintain your refrigerator properly. A refrigerator uses lots of energy so should be kept in good working condition. Be sure that you’re regularly cleaning the dust that builds up near the heating coils. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
If you don’t know what changes to make, consider having a heating expert or plumber come to your home and give you a list of changes you can make to cut your energy costs. They will be able to tell you how much money you are losing on inefficient appliances, and they can also give you an accurate estimate of what it will cost to upgrade or replace your systems.
Take the time to evaluate your watt usage. If you do not know the formula to figure out the energy each appliance uses, there are tools like a Kill-A-Watt that can give you the information instantly. By plugging any device into this gadget, it will tell you how much energy it consumes. This gives you a much better idea of the real costs associated with each appliance you own.
Save energy by installing a new boiler. Boilers that are more than a few years old were not made to conserve energy, while many modern boilers are quite efficient. Newer boilers help by producing less carbon dioxide as well as cut down the cost of your energy bill.
Less Energy
Swap your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. This rating ensures that the appliance was built to use less energy than the other non Energy Star products. For freezers and refrigerators, the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy used, 40 percent for dishwashers, and at least 50 percent when it comes to washing machines.
A great green energy device is the on-demand water heater. Traditional water heaters are always on and heating unused water, which is a tremendous waste of energy. This type of point of use heater warms the water as it is required, and can result in significant cost savings.
Many people forget to turn off machines and lights that they aren’t using, even though it seems obvious. Most people could probably save a ton on utility bills by getting in this habit. Think about your actions and turn off things you are not using.
Green Energy
Reading through green energy forums online isn’t necessarily fun, but using the tips contained in the preceding article will be. You will be surprised at how easy it can be to make the changes needed to get started with green energy. Your pocketbook or wallet and the environment itself will be appreciative of your efforts!