Just the idea of making these changes in your house and making it a lot more green could be overwhelming to most homeowners. If could be really hard to determine where to start and the changes that will greatly benefit you. For solutions to the problems potentially posed by going green with your household energy use, check out the following helpful tips.
Solar Panels
Solar panels are easy to install and can collect sunlight for energy. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.
Do you have a lot of land? If you have a lot of land, energy companies will pay you for the right to set up a wind turbine on it. You and those around you can benefit from the free energy. A turbine doesn’t take up much space, either.
Your furnace filters should be cleaned monthly and replaced yearly. Also install filters on air registers. Doing so will prevent debris in heating ducts and it reduces energy.
When away from home, cover the windows. These help your home remain cool and keep your energy bill down when you are not there. Usually, the windows facing the south get more sun because of where they are in the house. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.
You may be able to use solar water heaters, and they can warm your water efficiently. If you live in a region that is not at risk for freezing, it is possible to install a system that pumps water into a solar heater, then pumps it into your 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. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there. A dishwasher can surprisingly hold a lot of dishes. When loading the dishwasher, align the dishes in a way that allows you to fit the maximum number of items inside.
Use electric heaters minimally in the winter. In order to do this, you need to do two things. First, buy the necessary clothing and slippers, to keep family members warm. Second, use a pellet stove or fireplace for heating. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.
Each home’s layout is different and located in different places. Because of this, green technology can differ. Not every method will be right for every home. Find what will work for you and use it in your home.
