It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money nor take a lot of time to go green. Making some changes to the home can lower electricity bills and benefit the environment. Read this article for ways to use helpful green energy!
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. If you have appliances that are not in use, keep them unplugged until you need them. When you are no longer using them, turn off lights and the television. This is a simple tip that can help you save money, too.
Instead of using A/C in the summer, wear natural fabrics. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. Wearing lighter colors will also help, because they tend to reflect light.
You can reduce the amount of electricity that you use, and be a better energy user by removing chargers that power your devices from outlets when they are not in use. Mp3, cell phone, laptop, and various other device chargers draw power when they’re plugged in, no matter if it’s charging or not.
Be sure to cover your windows with drapes or blinds when not at home. This cools the house and cuts energy costs. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Use coverings on each of your home’s windows, such as roman shades, dark curtains, or roller shades.
Dry your clothes on a line or rack in the summer instead of a dryer. The sun could give your clothes an incredible smell. The smell of sun-dried clothes is much nicer than clothing tumbled in a dryer. You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.
It is important that if you take advantage of a dishwasher, that you only use it when you have a full load. Your dishwasher consumes the same energy and water, even if it is half full. When you do operate your dishwasher, be sure to make use of the energy-saving feature, which air-dries your dishes.
When you consider solar heat for your home calculate potential hours of sunshine for energy generation during the winter months. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it can leave you ahead in the summer. And even more exciting, on some plans, you can receive money from utility companies if you use less energy than you generate.
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 can tell you if your appliances are running efficiently, and if there are changes you can make. They may also be able to offer estimates as to what it would cost to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
Monitor how many watts you use. You can do this by using Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder gadgets. These will help you find where your energy is being consumed. You can tell how much energy it uses by plugging the appliance into it. This will make you realize what a given appliance costs you over the long run.
Switching out your boiler for a newer, more efficient model can be a great way to save energy. Previously, boilers were no made to be energy efficient; however, now they are. They can reduce your energy bill and they don’t produce as much carbon dioxide.
Energy Star
Replace your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. Energy Star ratings mean that your new appliances are technologically built to use less energy than previous models. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy and dishwashers use 40% less. Energy Star rated washing machines save at least 50% of the energy used by the older styles and also save a lot of water.
A good, old common sense tip for saving energy is turning off the lights as you leave the room. You could save quite a bit of energy if you are diligent about turning off the lights. You not only save a lot of energy but you save money, as well.
One easy way to go green is to use an on-demand water heater. Traditional water heaters run constantly, heating the water when it’s completely unnecessary. The on-demand water heaters will instantly heat the water when it is needed, and save you a bundle in energy cost as well.
When you leave your home or go to bed, set the thermostat at 60 degrees. Keeping your thermostat on a low temperature will allow you to lower your overall energy usage. If you do this, you can cut down your energy usage and save money at the same time.
While people may have different opinions about global warming, green energy can benefit anyone. You can save a lot of money each month just by making changes, such as turning off lights when you aren’t using them.
