Maybe you’ve heard of green energy, but you do not know what it is all about. If you’re wondering about green technology and how to use it, this article will help you. Keep reading to find out the basics of green energy technology and how you can put it to use in your life.
Do your best to keep your windows shaded from any sunlight. Shading the windows with curtains and blinds will keep out the sun in summer and keep the heat from escaping in winter. By using heavy window covering you house will remain cooler which will decrease the amount of air conditioning needed. You will save both energy and money.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. Before you do this, you should research just a few things first. You should definitely consider how much sun your home is exposed to. If your house is usually in the shade, solar panels will provide limited additional power.
Clean your furnace filters regularly and replace them at least one time a year. Also, you may want your warm-air registers to have filters. Doing so will prevent debris in heating ducts and it reduces energy.
Don’t run your dishwasher if it is less than totally full. The same amounts of water and energy are used every time. When it is time to do a load of dishes, use the dishwasher’s energy-saving mode. This makes it so that the dishes air-dry rather than being dried by heat.
Solar power can heat water for a low cost. Consider a solar water heater. There are direct circulation systems and indirect ones. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
Storm Windows
If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. Your home’s energy efficiency will increase by as much as 45% if you install storm windows and doors!
If you are a fan of green living and green energy, try using your electric heaters as little as possible during the winter. Dress more warmly when around the house. Wear slippers and a heavy top, and light up your fireplace or pellet stove for increased warmth at low cost. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.
Take the time to learn about active, and passive solar power. Passive solar power doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power, although active is stored for later use. To use active power it requires mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive solar power, on the other hand, just draws heat from the sun and stores it in your walls for heating purposes.
Check and manage your watt usage. There are devices like Watt Minder or Kill-A-Watt that can monitor your wattage and help you see what is consuming energy. Plug these gadgets into an appliance to find out how much energy is used in an hour, a month or a year. This lets you know how much it costs to operate an appliance.
Use your electric company to help you get started making your home a more energy-efficient place. Most gas and electric companies offer web-based tools to help you monitor your consumption, and they also provide suggestions for reducing your energy usage and utility bills. Make sure you investigate all programs and rebates offered if you buy energy-efficient items, from large appliances to light bulbs.
Energy Star
Any appliances that have this guarantee will most likely have an Energy Star logo branded on them somewhere. The ENERGY STAR seal indicates appliances that meet the guidelines which have been established by the U.S. Department of Energy plus the EPA. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
When you are sleeping, or not at home, set your thermostat to 60 degrees to save energy. 60 degrees is the target temperature at which your heater will be consuming the least energy. This way, you are saving money and conserving energy.
Make better use of ceiling fans during cold weather. Change to the winter clockwise rotation to return the warm air down towards the room and put less stress on your heater. It does take a small amount of power to run your fans, but that is covered by the savings you get from heating your house a little less often.
Move your frozen foods from the freezer to the refrigerator when you are thawing them out. This can thaw food safely and reduce energy consumption for the refrigerator.
Green Energy
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, just installing enough solar panels to provide hot water helps a lot.
Use rainwater for appliances like your toilet. This will save you money on your water bill and have a positive impact on the environment. There are many ways to collect rainwater, including sitting glass jars outside to collect rain. Once the jars are filled, simply close the lids.
On your quest to live more green, you can start by doing simple things like changing out old light bulbs to more energy efficient ones. Simple, small tasks can save you tons of money and reduce your energy use. You just need to choose one small project to begin making your home greener.
Now that you understand the basics of green technology, you are now ready to start using it in your home. Remember these tips so you can use this technology at home. There will be more than your wallet thanking you, when you begin to improve the environment through green energy methods.
