Converting to greener sources of energy is not nearly as difficult as it may first seem. Any changes you make, big or small, will still benefit the earth. Read this article for tips on how to use green energy.
If you are trying to conserve energy in the summer, be sure to keep your shades drawn to block out the sun. Keep blinds closed and curtains drawn. If you do both of these it will cool your house down so you won’t have to use as much air conditioning in the summer. Energy and money are both saved this way.
Be a better consumer of energy, and cut your home energy usage by unplugging your electronic chargers when they are not in use. Chargers used for cell phones, laptops, mp3 players and other electronic devices use power when they’re plugged in, even if they aren’t charging your device.
If you use fuel oil to heat your home, ask a professional if you can use biodiesel. Switching to biodiesel is often doable without system modification. Biodiesel is a better fuel because it has a cleaner burn and is more efficient.
Storm Doors
Storm doors and windows help control air flow into a home. Storm doors and windows will reduce the entrance of drafts and cold air. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
One of the simplest ways that you can go green is by dressing warmly. 2 degrees of warmth is added by wearing a light sweater, and 4 degrees with a heavy one. Wearing slightly heavier clothes is not any less comfortable and can save you significant money.
Pay attention to federal and local rebates associated with renewable energy for your house. Ask your utility company if they offer rebates for green energy upgrades. If this is not possible, you can find out if upgrades can be used as tax deductions. You may also be able to get credits from the government, either state or federal. These tax savings can reduce the net cost of installing alternative energy technology considerably.
Solar Oven
Try using a solar oven for your baking needs. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. You can reach an oven temperature of 300 degrees or more without using any other source of energy besides the sun. It only takes a few minutes to build a solar oven.
There are a lot of things you can do if you want reduce your environmental footprint on the planet. Perhaps you don’t have money to spend on making your home more green, but it is possible to start by maintaining smaller things, like clean filters and regulated temperatures. Lowering the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees will save you money too. Even small steps that you take can add up to a big difference!
You can use bio-fuels to heat your house. Oil, wood and animal or vegetable fats are used to make this fuel. 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. This could be anywhere up to 99% of biodiesel. Make sure you consult an energy professional before using biofuels in your home.
An old, yet good tip, for those looking to save on energy is to turn off your lights whenever you leave a room. You may be shocked by the amount of electricity you can save by starting this simple habit. You not only save a lot of energy but you save money, as well.
Going green is not very complicated. There are different ways to reduce your energy consumption, save money and find alternative sources of energy. Be sure to use what you’ve read here today. It may not take a lot of effort on your part, but going green can have some very positive results.
