More and more people are jumping on the green energy bandwagon, and there’s a good reason why. Not only can you help the environment in a lot of different ways, but you can also save money using green energy. You can find out how to live greener right away, with the help of the tips in the following article.
Changing your heating to solar water can reduce the price to heat your water, hot tub and pool. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.
There are numerous grants available for home owners to increase the use of renewable energy. Talk to your local government and figure out what programs are in the area. Some areas provide rebates for green energy product installation, or provide tax relief as an incentive.
Biodiesel is a great alternative to the standard oil used to heat a home. Many systems will take a switch to some level of biodiesel without any extra parts or modifications. Biodiesel burns more cleanly and will improve your carbon footprint.
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Find out what the cost would be to switch, how much it would cost to maintain, and whether your government has any legislation regarding its use. You may find that switching to one or another may provide a reduction in energy use and cost.
Turn off electrical items whenever you aren’t using them. When you are ready to leave a room, go around and turn off appliances such as computers, televisions, and most importantly, the overhead light. Use power strips for your electronics, and make sure to turn it of when you are not using it. If it is in standby it’s still wasting power.
If you have a dishwasher make sure you only run it when it is full. It will use the same quantity of water or energy even if one dish is in it. When you do use the dishwasher, be certain to always use the setting for saving energy, which air-dries your dishes.
Solar energy can heat water for a lesser cost. Look into hot water systems that run by solar power. It is possible to use either a direct or indirect circulation system. The indirect system is a a great thing to have and you do not have to think about having frozen pipes during the winter.
Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. Although they still use gas or electricity, they only heat on demand rather than maintaining an entire tank of hot water at all times. You can either get a tankless heater for your entire house or for a only one faucet.
Sweater Gives
Dressing warmly can help you reduce your energy usage. 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.
Save energy by buying products that conserve energy. Certain green products, like double glazed windows, eco-friendly doors and windows really help reduce the amount of energy needed to run your home efficiently. These products will help you reduce the costs of heating and cooling.
Try using a solar oven for your baking needs. You can create a solar over using common household items, including aluminum foil and a clean box. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.
You can use biofuels as a heat source for your home. The biofuel is produced using fats, wood and oils. You can hire a professional to adjust your propane furnace to be capable of using any type of fuel you desire. You would be able to use anywhere from 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Always consult with professionals prior to using this type of fuel in the home.
5 Gallons
Water-saving toilets can get you started on a greener lifestyle. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Older models of toilets can have a capacity of 5 gallons. That is 5 gallons of wasted water per flush. New water saving models use closer to a gallon and a half of water per flush. This can save 70 percent of the water you used previously.
Use an on-demand water heater to save energy. The older models are constantly running, which ends up wasting energy. A on-demand water heater will only heat your water when you need it, which saves a ton of money and energy.
When purchasing anything made from wood, look for bamboo options. Bamboo is a green, grass product, but it is much stronger than most of the commercial wood types. This fast-growing product is used in a wide variety of wood items. Everything from floors to cutting boards can be made with bamboo. This can save energy in the manufacturing process, as well as saving in recycling costs later.
One of the easiest ways to get started with making your home more energy-efficient is to enlist the help of your electric company. You can look on the company’s website for tool that track your energy consumption and tips for saving energy. They may also have programs that offer incentives for purchasing energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
Hopefully, this article’s information is useful to you and your home. There are many benefits to using green energy and doing so will give you a positive feeling. Use these tips to make energy uses in your home more efficient and greener.