Many people find the prospect of making their home more green to be a daunting one. It’s hard to know where is the best place to start and which changes that should be made. The advice in this article will allow you to find exactly what works for your living situation.
Shading windows from sunlight whelps to save energy. Closing your blinds and curtains will keep out the sun in summer and keep heat from escaping in winter. When you use these two things in tandem, you will find your heating and cooling bills will plummet. In addition to conserving energy, you will be able to save money.
Do you currently own a farm? If you own a farm, consider installing an energy turbine on your property, or renting land to a utility company for that purpose. You and the neighbors can benefit from this free installation and energy which won’t take up much space.
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. Almost 90 percent of energy consumed by washing machines is used when heating the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Another great tip is to always fill up the washer with a full load so that you’re being as efficient as possible.
Try solar water heaters instead of traditional ones. This option is only applicable in areas that do not reach freezing temperatures. If you live in a warm climate, you can use a system that pumps your water through the solar heater before coming out of your pipes. Even though solar water heaters are useful, it is still necessary to have a normal water heater for periods of extended cloudy weather or unusually high hot water use.
Make use of your dishwasher only when you have a full load in order to save energy and money. A lot of energy is wasted when only a few dishes are washed at a time. Pack your dishwasher full, and you may be surprised at the amount it can hold. Make sure you take time to place the dishes in properly so as to maximize the space available.
Take advantage of solar energy to heat your home’s water without breaking the bank. Install a water heating system that uses solar power. You have a choice between both an indirect or direct circulation system. If frozen pipes are common in your area, an indirect water heater will be your best option.
When installing solar panels, ensure that the energy-storing batteries are installed as close to the cells as possible. Doing this will help prevent power loss within the cable. Additionally, the cable cannot shade the cells, which can cause reduction in generation.
Storm Doors
Homes with storm doors and windows have better airflow than homes without these upgrades. These kinds of doors and windows reduces the amount of cold air that comes into the home. Storm doors and windows can increase a home’s energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.
If you are building a new home or are in the market for a new water heater, consider a tankless model. Tankless water heaters still use electricity or gas, but they do not run constantly heating a large tank all the time. They heat only the water you need. You can purchase a tankless heater for a faucet or your whole home.
Be aware of federal and state rebates for updating your home with renewable energy. Sometimes your utility company may offer additional rebates which will help pay for the expense of the systems. In some cases, there could be credits or tax deductions either from the federal or state government. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Have your friends and business associates contact you via email rather than snail mail. Try to use paper as little as possible. You help both you and other businesses you communicate with save resources and energy. This also keeps the environment in better shape for everyone.
You can heat your home using biofuels. What these fuels are composed of are wood, oil and vegetable or animal fats. If you have a propane furnace, a professional can usually make changes that allow you to use this blend of fuels. That would be 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.
Energy Star Ratings
Replace your old appliances with new ones featuring high Energy Star ratings. ENERGY STAR ratings mean that the appliance has met standards of the EPA and is especially crafted to use less energy than older models. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy and dishwashers use 40% less. Energy Star rated washing machines save at least 50% of the energy used by the older styles and also save a lot of water.
Overpaying initially for green technology eventually pays for itself. Usually, technologies that are green cost more than regular technologies, but in the long run this will pay off in the form of reduced utility costs. It will also pay off in the long run for the environment.
Responsible light usage should be a top priority in your home. When it is brighter outside, in spring and summer, wait until a certain time to turn on lights indoors. Use dimmers to cut down on light use, and use sensors and timers to make sure that lights aren’t kept on if no one is inside the room.
One clever way to conserve energy is to thaw frozen food in a refrigerator. This is a safer and cheaper way to thaw your foods.
Each and every home is individual in some way. Because of these differences, not every home is well-suited for all types of green technology. There are some techniques and strategies that are sure to work for every household, and others will be area specific. Find what will work for you and use it in your home.
