A great way to use the environment to your advantage is to use things like the wind, water or sun to generate energy for your home. If you want to learn how to go green with your energy usage around the house, read on for some tips that can help you consume energy wisely.
Save Money
To save money on your electric bills, simply try to minimize the electricity you use. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Always turn off the television and lights when you are not using them. This is a simple tip that can help you save money, too.
Make your home more energy efficient by unplugging your unused electronic devices. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.
Instead of using fuel oil to heat your home, try to make a switch to biodiesel. A lot of times this can be done with minimal modifications to your existing system. Biodiesel burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional petroleum, reducing your home’s environmental impact during the winter.
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. Also, use your dishwasher’s energy-saver setting so that the load will air-dry.
When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it can leave you ahead in the summer. If you’re using a net-usage plan, in the summer you’ll get cash back from your utility provider.
It is beneficial to maintain your refrigerator to keep it working efficiently. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape. Every week, check and see if dust has accumulated near the heating coils. If it has, take the time to remove it. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
Use electric heating sparingly in the winter. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. It is better to sleep in cooler air, it helps you breathe, and keeps your airways moist.
Rather than using an energy-hogging desktop computer, switch to a laptop. Laptops use only about one quarter of the power consumption of a full desktop, and is ideal for those that use their computer for surfing the Internet or word processing. Also, you can bring the laptop with you wherever you go.
Pay attention to local and federal rebates for renewable energy updates on your home. In some instances, the local company gives rebates for upgrading to green tech. You may also be able to get tax credits or deductions from the government for your upgrades. Receiving these kinds of credits and rebates can make installing the updates much less expensive for you.
If you are on the fence about whether to invest money in green energy for your home, have your existing equipment examined by professional plumbers or HVAC experts. These professionals can point out inefficient appliances and systems, and they can also help you determine how much it might cost to upgrade them.
Explore the possibility of using a solar-powered oven for some of your baking needs. You can make these with simple items, such as boxes, an old window, and some foil for reflection. The oven can heat up to well over 300 degrees using no electricity!
Monitor how many watts you’re using. If you do not know the formula to figure out the energy each appliance uses, there are tools like a Kill-A-Watt that can give you the information instantly. When you plug an electrical appliance into the monitor, it displays how much energy it requires each hour, month, or year. This way, you will know how much that appliance costs you, and you can adjust your usage or settings accordingly.
Energy Usage
Leave yourself reminder notes to decrease energy usage, and frequently compare past bills with current ones to see if you’re making strides. Just thinking more about your energy usage will help you to change habits that lead you to over-use energy. For instance, if you actively attempted to use less water or power, you going to make the effort to turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room.
Upgrading your home’s boiler is a smart way to save energy. Old boiler units were not designed with energy conservation in mind, yet new boilers are typically more efficient. Newer boilers produce far less carbon dioxide and reduce energy bills.
Energy efficient appliances will feature the bright Energy Star sticker. Any products that have the ENERGY STAR logo are in compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy in addition to those of the Environmental Protection Agency. You can get a tax rebate from these type of items, as well.
Program your thermostat in order to save energy and money. With their pre-programmed settings, these thermostats are capable of regulating the temperature within your home during both the winter and summer months. They can also be used to schedule your daily heating.
Getting green energy means both money saving and a healthier planet. As this article shows, it is not expensive or difficult to go green. Use the solid information you have learned, and apply it to your home, so that it is more environmentally friendly and efficient.
