We are now aware of how important it is to care for the environment. You can improve the environment and help your budget by making green energy choices. Read on for good information about utilizing green energy resources at home.
Do things like wash your clothes inside some cold water, if you can. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. Washing clothes in cold water can be just as effective as a warm cycle, especially with today’s cold water detergents. Furthermore, remember to always wash a full load, as this is more energy efficient.
Keep drapes drawn when you are not home. This cools down your house and lowers energy use. Usually, windows that face south receive the most sunlight. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, and dark curtains.
Turn things off when not in use. Turn off lights, televisions and computers if you leave a room and have no plans to return. A power strip should be used for electronics and can be easily turned off when not needed, since the standby mode is still utilizing power.
The batteries should be located near the solar energy cells when the system is being set up. This procedure guards against power loss as energy travels through the cable. It will also minimize the possibility of a cable shading out the cells and lowering their generation capability.
Get rid of your old water heater and put in a green, tankless one. Tankless water heaters do require energy for operation, but since they heat water on demand, power is not wasted by keeping a full tank hot 24/7. Tankless heaters can be acquired in models that could give the whole house or even just a single water faucet with water that is hot.
Degrees Warmer
If you’d like to be more environmentally friendly and cut down on your energy costs, try wearing warmer clothing. 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 need to be cold at home, get yourself some nice warm clothes you can use in your house today!
Be sure to learn more about passive and active solar power. When it comes to active power, the energy is stored for later use, while passive doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power. Active power needs solar panels installed, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive systems use the sun’s rays to store energy withing the walls of your home and are significantly cheaper.
Use a laptop computer instead of a desktop, which uses more energy. This can significantly lower the amount of electricity you use, especially if the computer is on the Internet a lot or uses word processing software. Not to mention, it can be taken anywhere thanks to its portability.
Make use of a solar oven for baking needs. You can make one from an old window, cardboard box, and tin foil. These ovens can reach temperatures of over 300 degrees, and use no outside energy other than the sun. They can be made in minutes.
Keep track of how many watts you’re using. Try using gadgets like the Kill-A-Watt and the Watt Minder to see what in your home uses too much energy. If you connect an appliance to either of these devices, it can calculate the energy savings you could realize over a given period of time if you switched to green power, from an hour to a year. This will make you realize what a given appliance costs you over the long run.
Consider carpooling for different occasions to save on fuel costs. IF you’ve got kids, create a carpool system with other parents in the neighborhood. If you love in close proximity to family members or friends, try to synchronize your shopping trips with them, and you can each take turns driving.
Rated Appliance
Replace old appliances with those labeled Energy Star. The Energy Star rated appliance is guaranteed to use appreciably less energy than the older non-rated appliance. For freezers and refrigerators the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy utilized, dishwashers 40 percent, and washing machines as much as 50 percent less energy used!
A common habit that uses energy is not turning off lights, appliances, and other things when they aren’t in use. Most people could probably save a ton on utility bills by getting in this habit. Consider what you are doing before it is done, and turn those appliances and lights off when you are finished using them.
Upgrade your home’s electronics and appliances to save yourself some cash in the future. Energy savings, coupled with monetary savings, will make the investment worthwhile over the longer term. It also pays off as far as the environment is concerned.
Consider changing out your old windows and replacing them with newer, more energy-efficient models. There’s a ton of benefits to these windows, such as lower energy costs, a quieter home, less carbon dioxide and reduced condensation on the windows.
To reduce electricity usage, use sensor lights in regularly-used rooms. This is especially great for families with kids who forget to turn off lights when leaving a room because the lights automatically turn off when no one is present. Also try this on your outdoor lights, so that they only turn on when there is someone there.
Thaw your frozen food in the refrigerator to save on energy costs. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.
If you care about the environment, then you are going to want to apply the tips that you’ve learned today. Reduce your carbon footprint by maximizing your home’s energy efficiency. The cost savings can be well worth your effort.
