It might seem to take a great deal of work to switch to green energy, but that is false; it can be very easy. You can help the environment, regardless of how large-scale the changes you make to your habits are. The next few paragraphs will give you information on green energy sources that might work for you.
By cutting back on electricity use, you will save quite a bit of money. When not using a certain appliance, unplug it from the outlet. Make sure you turn off lights and electronic appliances when you do not plan on using them. This simple tip will save you money as well.
When you’re coming up with a design for your outdoor lighting project, think about getting lamps that are solar powered. Solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and can save you a great deal on wiring and electricity expenses. This doesn’t merely save energy. It also means you don’t need hard wired outdoor lights.
Keeping your windows shaded to keep sunlight out of the house will greatly conserve energy. Closing your blinds and curtains will keep out the sun in summer and keep heat from escaping in winter. Utilizing both of these methods will decrease you need for an air conditioner unit, since your home will not be as warm. Energy and money are both saved this way.
Solar Energy
A solar energy array can be the cheapest way to getting your hot water. You can purchase a hot-water system that is run by solar energy. You could choose of having an indirect or direct circulation system. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
When installing solar panels, ensure that the energy-storing batteries are installed as close to the cells as possible. This helps prevent power loss in the cables. This also prevents the long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
One very easy way to save money on your heating bills is to dress more warmly around the house during the winter months. A light sweater gives you 2 extra degrees of warmth, while a heavy sweater gives you 4 degrees. You do not have to wear a small amount of clothing at home, so put on a sweater and increase your savings.
Look for rebates for green-energy technology installations. Local utility companies often offer rebates for upgrades. You may also qualify for tax credits or deductions from your state or from the federal government. These offers make installing and using a green energy system much more affordable.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. Devices like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt can help you determine the highest energy-usage culprits in your home. Plug your appliances in to these devices to find out what amount of energy is required each year, month or hour to run it. This way, you will know how much that appliance costs you, and you can adjust your usage or settings accordingly.
When you put up lights during the holidays, avoid the normal light strands and hang LED lights instead. A U.S. Department of Energy study shows that people waste a lot of energy on traditional Christmas lights. If everyone were to switch to LED lights, the country as a whole would save 2 billion kwh per year. To put this in perspective, that amount of power could supply the energy needs of 200000 homes for a whole year. At the very least, you can shave some money from your own power bill!
Less Energy
Use Energy Star rated appliances instead of your old appliances. This rating will guarantee than your appliance is using less energy! Appliances like fridges and freezers can use up to 20% less energy, while washing machines can save up to 50%.
A good energy saving tip at home when cooking is to always use a microwave when possible. Your stove and your oven use a significantly higher amount of energy than does your microwave. So, by microwaving instead, you save a lot of energy.
While it is an old idea on saving energy, it is a great idea to make it a habit to turn off the lights when you exit a room or your home. Turning off the lights will save a surprising amount of energy. An additional benefit is the money you save on your monthly power bill.
Bamboo is a wonderful option to consider in your home. Bamboo is technically grass and is a “green product”, but it is often much stronger than other available woods. It grows quickly and can be used and sold for a variety of purposes, from cutting boards to flooring. This saves energy via recycling and manufacturer production.
Remember that buying green technology is an investment that will pay off later. Oftentimes, green technologies are a bit more expensive than their traditional counterpart; however, investing in green electronics and appliances will pay off with savings from decreased energy consumption. It also pays off in the future for the environment.
In rooms that you are frequently in, put automatic light sensors that have motion detectors. The lights in these rooms are turned off by the sensors when not in use, resulting in energy and money savings. Install these sensors on your outdoor lighting as well for more savings.
An excellent way to save energy in your home is to set the heat at 60 degrees when you are not home or during the night while you’re asleep. If you heat is set at 60, you are not using much energy. In this case, you would cut down on energy usage and save cash.
Switching to green energy isn’t a hard process. As you have just read in the above article, there are a lot of simple ways of making your life greener. Make sure to apply the tips you read. You do not have to put in much effort to see great results.
