While it might seem difficult to incorporate green energy into your everyday life, it’s really not that hard. Even the most seemingly tentative step in the right direction can be very important from an environmental perspective. Use some of the effective tips below to begin the change to green energy in your home.
Wear natural fabrics during the summer in order to avoid wasting energy on air conditioning. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw moisture naturally from the skin, making it cooler. Wear lighter colors, as warmer colors make you feel warmer and more likely to put on artificial cold air.
Clean your furnace filters regularly and replace them at least one time a year. It is also recommended to put filters on every register in your home. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.
Clothes should always be washed in cold water, if possible. Having heated water in your washer can use up to nine-tenths of the energy required to run a washing machine. If your detergent is of good quality, you should have no problems using cold water. Also, be as energy efficient as possible by only washing full loads of clothing.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s completely full. The dishwasher uses the same energy when full that it uses when empty, but you’ll have to run it less often. When you do run the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which will allow your dishes to air-dry.
When choosing new windows or doors, consider the energy ratings as you shop. Ecologically friendly windows and doors can minimize the energy you need to operate your home efficiently. You will also cut down on the cost to heat and cool your home by implementing these products into your life.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer to save electricity and enhance your mobility. These portable machines will reduce your electrical use by 75% while you do everyday tasks. An added bonus is the portability of a laptop- you can take it anywhere you go!
Energy Expenses
Opt for emails over paper whenever possible; get on no-mail lists for catalogs and junk mail. So, try your best to be as paperless as you possibly can. This helps businesses you deal with reduce their energy expenses, and it helps you reduce energy expenses, as well. That helps the environment for everybody.
Watch how many watts you use. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from. If you connect an appliance to either of these devices, it can calculate the energy savings you could realize over a given period of time if you switched to green power, from an hour to a year. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
Turn off lights when you exit a room. This is a tried-and-true energy saving trick. You will be surprised at the amount of energy you save over a certain period of time by turning your lights off when they are not being used. You not only save a lot of energy but you save money, as well.
Switch your toilets to one of the newer, water-saving varieties. Experts estimate that almost half of a home’s use of water is flushed. A water-saving toilet cuts that by about 70 percent.
Although it is probably common sense, usually, most people forget to shut off lights and electronics when not using them. This simple action can save anyone a lot of money on monthly bills. Think about what you do before you do it, and turn off those lights and appliances when they are not in use.
Energy Star Appliances
Energy efficient appliances will feature the bright Energy Star sticker. ENERGY STAR appliances must meet all the guidelines which have been established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA. In addition to this, only ENERGY STAR appliances can be used for tax rebates.
Solar panels can be a great addition for your home, making it more efficient and greener. Although you may have to pay a sizeable amount to install these solar panels, you will make this money back within a few years via power savings. After the panels are in, because the energy is from the sun, it is essentially free. Moreover, some utility companies buy the solar power back from you when there is excess!
Weatherize your home, and it will become more energy-efficient. You can reduce the energy usage of your home by installing energy efficient doors and windows, sealing ducts, replacing faulty heat and air conditioners and adding insulation to your home. That’s not the only benefit; you’ll also have a lower power bill.
Frequently check the condition of the seal on your refrigerator and freezer doors. If the seal is broken it may cause the refrigerator to keep running, which ends up wasting lots of energy, and costs you extra money on utility bills. To test the seal, put paper in the crack of your door and test how easily it slides out. If it slides out easily, it is time to replace your seal.
Ceiling fans can help keep your home warm during the winter months. Switch your fans to clockwise rotation; the warm air will be pushed down toward the floor where you can feel it. This will save energy so that makes running the fans worth it.
Using your lights in a responsible manner is a great way to save energy, giving you a greener home. In months that are brighter, leave lights off until a specific time of day. Dimmers can cut the amount of energy lights consume. You should also consider sensors that will turn off lights when people exit the room.
Going green isn’t always so complicated. As stated in the article, several green options are easy and affordable. Make use of what you have learned from this article. Just by putting in a little bit of effort, you can really make quite a difference.
