If you have considered green energy for a while, but are not sure where to begin, read on. Do you think it’s too difficult or costs too much? Now is the time to make the changes that you want to make. Forget about anything negative you might have heard about green energy and continue reading to learn more about this great technology.
Solar powered outdoor lighting is a wonderful enhancement to your outdoor living areas. Not only are they a reasonable purchase price, but they do not require electricity to run. This not only saves money. It means that there is no need to run wires outside to hook up lights.
Colored Clothing
Instead of turning on the air conditioner, wear fabrics made of natural materials. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
You can get a grant from the government to help you invest into some renewable energy. Ask at your local municipality office to research what types of programs might be available to you. Some areas provide rebates for green energy product installation, or provide tax relief as an incentive.
Your furnace filters should be replaced annually, and inspected for monthly cleanings. You should put filters in registers that are warm-air too. This will help keep debris from clogging up heating ducts and becoming inoperable.
Dress more warmly to be green and reduce energy costs. If you put on a light sweater, you’ll be two degrees warmer, while a heavy sweater will make you four degrees warmer. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so dress warmly and save money!
There are active and passive options for solar energy systems. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. If you use active power, you will need to install mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.
If you don’t know whether a green energy system would help you save energy, consult professionals in the plumbing or HVAC fields to assess your current system. They will let you know how much you can save by upgrading to more efficient appliances and systems, and also give you a good idea of how much it will cost.
Make reminders for yourself to set new energy efficiency targets, and be sure you examine each utility bill that comes in against last year’s bill to see if gains are being made. The more aware you are of using energy, the easier it is to reduce your energy use. For instance, should you consciously decide to decrease your electricity or water use, you are also likelier to turn off appliances or unused lights.
While cooking, use a microwave if you can to save on energy. Each time you cook in the oven or stove, you tend to use lots of energy. Microwaves have a bed reputation because they tend to produce lackluster food and emit radiation, but the fact of the matter is that making use of them can greatly reduce your energy costs.
Energy Star
A simple way to locate appliances and products that are energy efficient is to see if they have an Energy Star logo. The ENERGY STAR guidelines are set by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the EPA. Typically, these are the only appliances that one can get a tax rebate for.
Put lights sensors with motion detectors in the rooms you use the most. These sensors will turn lights on and off automatically depending on if someone’s in the room, saving energy and money. Remember the lighting outside, too.
One way to reduce energy consumption is to lower your thermostat in the winter. Consider setting your thermostat to 60 degrees during the night or while you are away. At this temperature, your home is not using much energy. This is a good way to reduce your heating bill considerably.
Check your freezer and refrigerator’s seal frequently. If they are broken, you may be wasting a lot of energy. A break in the seal can use an unnecessary usage of power, which is a waste of energy as well as money. A good way to test this is to see if a piece of paper can be held in the door or if it slips out easily.
If you want a greener home, then choose more responsibility for your light usage. During months that are brighter, do not have lights on after a particular time. Try installing timers and dimmers to control your light usage so that you don’t use lights unnecessarily or turn on brighter lights than you need.
While solar energy may not be a whole-house option for your home, consider a partial solar set-up that can offset part of your utility consumption. For instance, you may purchase enough panels to heat your home’s water.
You may be wondering what you have to do in order to make your home green, and to see its positive results. Here, you have been given some of the tools to start with. Now, it’s your job to use them to improve your life and help save our planet. Once you begin, you’ll be surprised by the great results.
