
Going green has numerous benefits for the home, while offering positives for the environment, as well. You can make some small changes around the house which make it much more energy efficient, and you can cut electricity costs too! By reading the following article, you will be able to obtain some helpful information that will help you conserve energy in you home.
If you are considering purchasing outdoor lighting look into solar lamps. These lamps are inexpensive and do not require any kind of power source other than exposure to the sun. This does more than just save energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.
Switch to solar heating systems for water to lower your cost of indoor water. 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. Certain upgrades, though expensive, qualify for specific tax deductions.
Take advantage of government grants if you plan to invest in renewable energy sources. Talk to your local government and figure out what programs are in the area. You may be eligible for free wind or solar installation, or at the very least be allowed to deduct your costs when you do your taxes.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. There are some things that should be further looked in to before doing this. You should definitely consider how much sun your home is exposed to. Shade is valuable in some respects, but when you are considering solar energy it can be a complicating factor.
Window Coverings
When you are away from home, use window coverings. Your house will stay cool and you won’t use as much energy this way. Usually, windows that face south receive the most sunlight. Window coverings such as roller shades, roman shades or dark curtains can be used on all windows.
During the summer months, hang your clothes outside instead of drying them in the dryer. As well as drying your clothes, the sun can also help your clothes smell nice. They will smell better than anything coming out of a dryer. You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.
A solar energy array can be the cheapest way to getting your hot water. Consider a solar water heater. Your choices include an indirect or direct circulation system. Indirect systems are the best if you have frozen pipes during the winter.
When implementing a solar energy system, put the batteries as close to the cells as possible. This prevents energy from dissipating in a long cable. This also prevents long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
Use electric heating sparingly in the winter. You can invest in warmer clothes and take advantage of your fireplace or pellet stove in order to heat your living areas. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.
Active Power
Spend time in order to learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Passive power is used immediately and is cheaper, but active power has the ability to store energy for later use. Active power needs solar panels installed, cells, and mechanical systems. While passive simply uses the sun in storing thermal energy in your walls in order to heat your house.
A laptop is actually a great alternative for consuming less energy as opposed to using a desktop. 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. An added bonus is the portability of a laptop- you can take it anywhere you go!
You can actually use biofuels to add heat for your home. This type of fuel is usually made with a combination of animal fat, vegetable oil and wood. If you are currently using propane to heat your home, adjustments can be made to your system that will allow you to switch to using a blend of fuels. This would change the conversation to around 20-99% biodiesel. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
This article has shown that it isn’t necessary to spend a lot of time or money on going green. Just making a few small changes in your home can save you on energy costs. Keep these tips in mind, apply them and let your friends know about your good resolutions so that you can all assist the environment.