It is actually pretty easy to reduce the amount of energy and resources your home needs. With a few small changes, and maybe some big ones, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save some money at the same time. The article you are reading will provide you with many ideas that you can carry out in your daily life.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions. One of the main things to consider prior to installing solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets. If you live in an area that gets few sunny days, or your property is full of shade trees and tall bushes, you will have trouble gaining enough solar power for your needs.
Unplug your chargers when they aren’t being used to charge your devices. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.
During the summer, you should try drying your clothes out in the sun instead of using a dryer. The sun can dry clothes quickly without using any power, with the added benefit of making your clothes smell extra-fresh. You clothes will smell clean and fresh when line dried. As well, you save quite a bit on monthly utility costs.
Run the dishwasher when it’s full instead of half-full in order to save energy and money. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there. Dishwashers can usually hold many dishes. Properly place your dishes in it so you can fit as many as possible.
Solar batteries should be placed close to solar cells when system installation is taking place. This procedure guards against power loss as energy travels through the cable. It also reduces shading of the solar shells. Shading reduces solar panel energy generation.
Active Power
There are active and passive options for solar energy systems. 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. If you use active power, you will need to install mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
One way to participate in the green energy movement is buying products that are specifically designed to save energy. Some green items, like environmentally freindly doors, will reduce your energy usage by a lot. Your heat and cooling costs can drop dramatically by using these products.
Seek out local and federal rebates offered for making energy upgrades to your home. Local utility companies may even offer rebates or other assistance with upgrades. Also, you will find that you can get a tax deduction or a credit from the federal or state government. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Think about baking with a solar oven. It’s fairly easy to make a solar oven using a discarded window box lined with foil to reflect the heat. You can reach an oven temperature of 300 degrees or more without using any other source of energy besides the sun. It only takes a few minutes to build a solar oven.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. A gadget like Watt Minder or Kill-A-Watt will help you discover which appliances are your prime energy consumers. 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 gives you a much better idea of the real costs associated with each appliance you own.
If you are one of the many people who desire to live a greener life when it comes to saving our planet’s energy, there is much you can do. You might not have the money to invest in a solar panel array, but you can commit to cleaning your furnace filters once per month and setting your thermostat to 60 degrees while you are out. Another money saving way to conserve energy is lowering the temperature of your water heater, under 120 degrees is best. Any little effort helps!
Make reminders for yourself. These reminders can help make sure you are doing all you can to conserve energy. By being aware of the energy you use, you can start to reduce that consumption. For example, if you make a conscious effort to cut down on your water or electricity usage, then you are more likely to make a habit out of shutting off unused lights or appliances.
Turn off lights when you exit a room. This is a tried-and-true energy saving trick. Get yourself into the habif of always turning lights off and you can save a lot of energy. You will also save on your electric bill.
Install a toilet that uses less water. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Five gallons is the typical amount used by older models, while low-flow toilets consume about 1.6 gallons per flush.
An on-demand heater for water is a smart device for green energy. Traditional water heaters are always on and heating unused water, which is a tremendous waste of energy. An on-demand water heater instantly heats water when necessary and saves energy.
If possible, switch the old windows in your home with newer, energy-efficient ones. These have many benefits, such as reduced spending on energy bills, a quieter home, and less condensation on the interior of your windows.
Use the ideas and suggestions of this article to help you incorporate greener methods in your home. You will save money on your energy bills and help environmental conservation efforts by doing so. Keep at it and soon you will have one of the greenest homes around!
