Green Energy and You: Tips On How To Make Positive Changes

By tony / March 18, 2018

TIP! When creating lightning outdoors for a garden path or patio, consider using solar-powered lamps. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight.

The variety of green energy options are staggering, yet easily done in a cost-effective way. The information gathered here will get you started on your journey toward using green energy and reaping its many benefits.

TIP! There are many government incentive programs you can take advantage of when it comes to green energy. Check with the local government and find out about any possible programs you may be eligible for.

Do you live on a farm? If so, you can rent some property to energy companies for installing wind turbines. You could take advantage of the energy offered and the space requirements are minimal.

TIP! It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions.

Try to use cold water for washing clothes. Almost 90 percent of energy consumed by washing machines is used when heating the water. Using a quality detergent means it is unnecessary to use hot water. Also, make sure your load is a full one so you do not waste energy washing several small loads.

TIP! Use cold water for laundry, whenever you can. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water.

Use window coverings when you’re not at home. This cools your home’s interior and keeps energy usage down while you’re away. Generally, the south-facing windows get the most sun because of their position. Try using coverings on all of the windows, such as dark curtains, roman shades, or some roller shades.

TIP! You may be able to use solar water heaters, and they can warm your water efficiently. Best for locations with a warmer climate, a solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water that circulates through it.

Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Check to see how much it would cost to run your home with these other utilities, and remember to take into account the government bonuses that are sometimes available. For instance, it might be worth it to switch to gas heat instead of electric, or switch to well water instead of municipal water.

TIP! Dry your clothes on a line or rack in the summer instead of a dryer. In addition to the energy savings, you clothes will smell incredible.

Don’t run the dishwasher unless it is filled to capacity. It consumes the exact same amounts of electricity and water even if it’s not full. When the dishwasher is used, it is also important to use the main energy-saving feature, which air-dries the dishes.

TIP! One great way of conserving energy is to ensure the dishwasher is only turned on when full. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there.

When determining the economical impact of a PV solar system, be sure to run a calculation using the hours of winter sunlight. This way, you aren’t beyond your capacity in the winter, and you have plenty of excess power in the summer. If you have a net usage program you will get money returned to you from your utility company for energy generated by you.

Storm Windows

TIP! Electric heaters are an energy hog and should be avoided as much as possible in the winter. They are not environmentally friendly.

If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. Storm doors and windows lessen the amount of cold air drafts that come in. Your home’s energy efficiency will increase by as much as 45% if you install storm windows and doors!

TIP! Hire professionals to talk to you about installing new systems. They can provide an estimate of how much money inefficient appliances and systems are costing you, and they can tell you what upgrading or replacing such systems will cost.

Fans of green energy should limit their use of electric heaters in the winter. You can invest in warmer clothes and take advantage of your fireplace or pellet stove in order to heat your living areas. Keep in mind that it is actually better to breathe cool air while you sleep, since it keeps your airways from becoming dry.

TIP! Have the bulk of your correspondence sent to your email. To put it more simply, use paper as little as you can.

When doing any updates to your home, look for energy-efficient products. Examples of these include windows, light bulbs, and appliances, all of which have been designed to run efficiently on reduced energy. Your heat and cooling costs can drop dramatically by using these products.

TIP! Avoid turning the heat up in your home unless you have to. If it’s a bit chilly, try wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants.

Opt for emails over paper whenever possible; get on no-mail lists for catalogs and junk mail. Go paperless with any company that has the option. You will save valuable energy and help the businesses you use to save also. This benefits everyone in society along with your own business.

TIP! A good energy saving tip at home when cooking is to always use a microwave when possible. Any time you cook something on the stove or in the oven it tends to use up a ton of energy.

Ask the electric company to help you figure out how to increase the energy efficiency in your home. A lot of them have the option on their website that will show you how much energy your household is using. They may also show ways you can lower your energy usage. Also look into any rebate programs which can help offset the cost of purchasing energy-efficient appliances.

Energy Star Logo

TIP! Consider replacing your wooden products with bamboo when buying new. It is a green product and is actually a grass; however, it is quite durable and works well even in high traffic areas.

A simple way to identify appliances that are energy efficient is to search for an ENERGY STAR logo. Any products that have the ENERGY STAR logo are in compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. ENERGY STAR products are useful for tax credits.

TIP! Add to the demand for green-energy technology in an effort to drive down prices. You not only have the right to insist on having access to technology that is environmentally friendly, but the power to make companies listen to your demands.

When you are sleeping, or not at home, set your thermostat to 60 degrees to save energy. When your home is at 60 degrees, it is using the least amount of energy possible. In this case, you would cut down on energy usage and save cash.

Solar Panels

TIP! Buy a home monitor for energy so you can keep track of what your home uses. These monitors meausure electricity usage in real time and approximate what your bill is going to be.

Making use of solar energy will take your current green home plans to the next level. Although the upfront costs for solar panels are significant, they will pay for themselves in just a few years. Once you’ve made the initial investment in solar panels, you can actually pay them off and make money by selling energy back to the grid.

TIP! If you are attempting to turn your home into a greener habitat, you might want to consider purchasing a washing machine that is a front-loader. They do not need nearly as much water as top-loading machines use in order to clean your laundry much more efficiently.

A good energy-saver is to check frequently for broken seals on your refrigerator. Broken seals can make your fridge run for no reason, waste energy, and cost you a lot of 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.

TIP! Demand stricter laws so green energy become a bigger priority. Awareness is a great tool to use and is often, not used enough.

Water heaters take up a lot of energy, so simply by lowering the temperature to around 120 degrees can save a lot of money. A four-person household could save up to 10% on gas or electric bills, and your hot water temperature will still be hot enough to be safe.

TIP! Eco-friendly lighting should be considered. There are several alternatives to incandescent lighting which are much more eco-friendly.

Keep track of how much electricity is used in your home with a home energy monitoring device. These devices collect real-time measurements of your electricity usage and estimate what your bill will be. Studies suggest that if people know exactly how much it costs to use electrical equipment in their homes, they tend to be more vigilant about conserving energy.

TIP! Before you bring in an energy professional to assess the viability of solar panels, list every appliance in your home, as well as its energy consumption. This list will help determine a more accurate quote from the solar panel expert you will choose to install the solar panels, as it will provide them with exactly the amount of power you will need to run your home.

All the things we went over throughout this article are easy to implement, so don’t let excuses keep you from using them where you live. Taking time to use green green energy will allow you to have peace of mind if you apply these changes today.