Green energy technology benefits your home as well as the environment. Change some small things in the home to save on your energy costs. Read this article for some quick tips on conserving the energy used while at home.
Every year, replace your furnace’s filters, and every month, see if they require a cleaning. Adding filters to your warm-air registers is not a bad idea, either. This will help keep debris or dirt from clogging vents and reducing their overall efficiency.
Use window treatments to shade the inside of your home when you aren’t home. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, and dark curtains.
One thing you might consider is heating your water with solar water heaters. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. However, you should still have a traditional water heater as backup for times when the sun won’t come out or if you’re going to be using a lot of hot water.
Only using the dishwasher when it is full will save you money and energy. The machine should not be used when only a few dishes need to be washed. The dishwasher can actually fit a lot of dishes when loaded correctly. Experiment with different ways of loading the dishwasher in order to fit in as many dishes as possible.
When installing solar panels, ensure that the energy-storing batteries are installed as close to the cells as possible. Power can be lost in long cables so this will reduce this possibility. It also lessens any chance the cable will shade the cells, which reduces their generation capability.
Storm Doors
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Storm doors and windows can help save as much as 45 percent on energy costs.
One option available to you for heating your home is biofuels. This type of fuel is made of oils, wood and vegetable or animal fats. If you have a propane furnace, you may be able to have a professional retrofit your furnace to work with biofuel blend. You would want to use roughly 20-99 percent bio-fuel, depending on your house size and what a professional thinks is right. Be sure you discuss any new fuel use in your home with a pro before starting.
As this article previously stated, being green doesn’t need to be time consuming or expensive. Often, making a few changes to your home can actually save money in electricity costs. Keep what you’ve read here in mind, and consider sharing this article with friends and family so they can benefit from green energy along with you.
