
Have you considered using green energy before, but do not know how to begin? It can often seem too expensive or difficult to try. Modernize your philosophy and your home today through the use of the tips and advice in this article that will help you change how your home uses energy in a very good way.
If you’re designing any kind of outdoor lighting, you may want to think about installing solar-powered lamps. These lamps aren’t very expensive and can save you on power bills because they’re powered by the sun. This will save you a ton of energy. It also means you do not to have string up those outdoor lights.
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. Who knows, you may qualify for low or no-cost wind or solar installation. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still use these items as a tax deduction.
Whenever possible, use cold water to wash your clothing. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. If your detergent is of good quality, you should have no problems using cold water. Don’t forget to wait until you have a full load of laundry to wash; that is the energy efficient way.
If you use fuel oil to heat your home, ask a professional if you can use biodiesel. You might even find that you can switch your system to partial biodiesel without having to purchase parts or hire a contractor to perform modifications. Bio-diesel is more efficient and burns cleaner than conventional petroleum, which in turn, reduces the environmental impact from your home during the winter.
When away from home, cover the windows. This cools down your house and lowers energy use. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Window coverings such as roller shades, roman shades or dark curtains can be used on all windows.
Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are not a problem, you can purchase a system that heats water through a heater that is solar before it pumps it in your home. As is true with many solar options, you should keep your traditional water heater for times when there is not enough sun, or in case you need to use a lot of water.
Winter Months
If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months. This prevents any unanticipated effects from a winter months, and it keeps you ahead of the game for summer months. An even better benefit is that you can sell your energy back to the grid in the sunniest of times!
Put the solar energy system’s batteries close to its cells during installation. Power can be lost over long cables so this will lessen the impact. This also prevents the long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
Do maintenance on your fridge to save money. With the fridge being a top energy consumer in the home, maintenance is important for efficiency. Keep heating coils dust free. Also, make sure that the seal around the door is clean and tight.
Air flow is better controlled in home that has stormed doors and windows installed. Storm doors and windows dramatically reduce the amount of drafts and cold air that get into your home. Homeowners will see a significant savings on their electric bill and will benefit from an increase in the energy efficiency of their home by up to 45 percent once stormed windows and doors are installed in their homes.
Electric heaters should only be used when necessary in order to be more green. You can invest in warmer clothes and take advantage of your fireplace or pellet stove in order to heat your living areas. You want to remember that sleeping in cooler air is better for your breathing, and it also prevents the airways from becoming dry.
Don’t turn the thermostat up higher than needed in your home. When the temperature drops, reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat. You waste a lot of energy if you put the heat on higher than necessary.
You can actually use biofuels to add heat for your home. Biofuels contain wood, oil and fat. In many cases, if your furnace is propane, a professional can make the necessary changes that will allow you to heat with a blend of fuels. These changes would let you use biofuels is between 20 percent and 90 percent of the fuel used in the furnace. Make sure you consult an energy professional before using biofuels in your home.
A lot of people wonder what exactly it means to “go green” and change their home. You have the necessary information, now it’s time to put it to use in your life. Once you start, you’ll be amazed by the results!