Going green does not have to cost a lot of money or take up too much time. Simply making small changes in your home could reduce electricity bills, and offer a lot of benefits to our environment. Follow this article’s tips to learn how you can use green sources of energy to cut costs and reduce your environmental impact.
You can cut your energy consumption by a lot if you just cut back on the electricity you use. When you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. When you aren’t using your television, computer equipment or lights, don’t forget to turn them off. These easy ideas will help you save a lot of money over time.
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. They also save energy. It means that there is no need to run wires outside to hook up lights.
When using a dishwasher to do the dishes, don’t let it run unless it’s all the way full. The same amounts of water and energy are used every time. When running the dishwasher, turn on the setting for energy conservation.
Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. Check into investing in a water system that is solar-powered. There are direct circulation systems and indirect ones. You’re better off with an indirect system if you are worried about pipes freezing during the winter.
When you consider solar heat for your home calculate potential hours of sunshine for energy generation during the winter months. Using this metric means you will meet your energy needs in the winter, while greatly exceeding them in the summer. If you generate excess energy during the summer, with the right plan, your utility company will send you a check!
One of the best ways to go green and cut energy costs is by dressing more warmly. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. You don’t need to be cold at home, get yourself some nice warm clothes you can use in your house today!
There are a great deal of products you can buy to increase the energy efficiency of your home. Some green items, like environmentally freindly doors, will reduce your energy usage by a lot. Using this type of product will cut down on heating and cooling energy costs.
Try not to turn the heat up too high in your home, unless it is absolutely necessary for you to do so. If you are feeling cold, add a layer of clothing instead of reaching for the thermostat. Having the heat up high wastes a lot of energy.
The next time you decorate your home or tree for the holiday season, use LED lights instead of standard light strands. There are many studies from the U.S. to back this up. Department of Energy stated that Americans could collectively reduce their energy consumption by over 2 billion kW/h if they all changed over to LED lights. That’s enough electricity to power 200,000 houses for a whole year. All that said, you can at least save some money on your own energy costs!
Energy Star
Replace aging major appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances. Energy Star ratings mean that your new appliances are technologically built to use less energy than previous models. This rating guarantees 20% less energy for freezers and refrigerators, 40% difference for dishwashers, and 50% for washing machines!
An old, yet good tip, for those looking to save on energy is to turn off your lights whenever you leave a room. You would be surprised how much energy you could end up saving over time if you get into the habit of turning off your lights. You also have the added benefit of saving money on your power bill.
On-demand water heaters work great as a green device. Regular hot water heaters keep hot water at a constant temperature, even if you aren’t using it. You’ll get hot water whenever you need it without having to wait for it to heat up. You’ll also save a lot of energy.
When buying wood, think about buying bamboo. Bamboo grows fast and in abundance; it does not have the same negative environmental impact as cutting down trees. Its rate of growth is very high and is being utilized for everything from wood flooring to cutting boards. Using bamboo can help conserve energy when making new products as well as saving on the costs of recycling old products.
Energy Star
Look for appliances that have the Energy Star sticker or logo. The ENERGY STAR guidelines are set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA as well. In addition to this, only ENERGY STAR appliances can be used for tax rebates.
If you want to transform your home into a “green home,” the iconic way to do this is by installing solar panels. Solar panels are a large investment, but the savings you will enjoy by using solar energy will make up for the extra expenditure. After the panels are installed, solar power is free and excess can often be sold to supplant the grid.
Heat each room separately rather than all at once to save money. One way to do this is to purchase a floor heater that has a main control that will let you monitor individual areas, and allow you to choose the temperature in each area. This works particularly well if you own a larger home.
Even though some people don’t believe global energy is anything to worry about, everyone can benefit from the use of green energy in their home. It saves plenty of money on the electric bill, by making just a few small changes to your daily life, such as shutting off the lights when not in the room.
