Have you thought about using green energy in the past, but don’t know where to begin? Do you think it costs a fortune to invest into green energy? Stop living in the past and start living in the future, by reading the tips laid out here, so you change life in your house for the better.
Simply cutting back on the amount of electricity you use on a daily basis can save a lot of energy. If you have appliances that are not in use, keep them unplugged until you need them. Turn off your TV and lights once you leave a room. This can save you money and it’s simple.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. Consider some things before you do this, as you will benefit from the thought process. One major factor to consider with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home receives. Shade is valuable in some respects, but when you are considering solar energy it can be a complicating factor.
Do you currently own a farm? If you do, then you probably own property. This might be an opportunity to rent a portion of that property to a company that will build a wind turbine on it. You and your neighbors will benefit from free energy and this installation will not take a lot of space.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. Windows that face south tend to get more sun due to their orientation. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, and dark curtains.
Research different sources of green energy available to your community. Check to see how much it would cost to run your home with these other utilities, and remember to take into account the government bonuses that are sometimes available. For example, it might be wise to use natural gas instead of electric heat or water from the well rather than city water.
Turn off electrical items when you’re not using them. Upon leaving a particular room, remember to turn of the lights, television, computer or even the entertainment center. You can save a lot of money on energy by investing into a new power strip for all of your electronics and turning it off when those electronics aren’t in use.
When you calculate the solar panel needs of your home, figure out the hours of sun you get in the winter. This will ensure that you are not caught short during winter, and you have excess during the summer. However, you should also include any refunds you will get from your utility company for excess energy generated in summer!
Storm Windows
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. This is because storm windows and doors prevent drafts, which means less cold air enters the home. If you use storm doors or windows, you can save at least 45 percent on your electricity bills.
Get rid of your old tank-style water heater, and replace it with a modern tankless model. Tankless water heaters do require energy for operation, but since they heat water on demand, power is not wasted by keeping a full tank hot 24/7. There are models available that provide on-demand hot water for a whole house or just one faucet.
Electric heaters should only be used when necessary in order to be more green. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. This is good for your health as well as your electric bill. Breathing cooler air at night helps keep your respiratory system healthy; you’ll avoid drying out your airways.
Solar Power
Learn all you can about solar power that is active and passive. Active power is stored for use at a later time, passive does not require expensive cells to store the power. In order to use active power, you will need to install a few things, including solar cells, mechanical systems, and most importantly, solar panels. Passive solar power is more basic and simply uses your home in its existing state as heat storage.
If you aren’t sold on making a large green energy investment at home, then bring in a professional heating expert or plumber to take a look at your existing systems. You can be shown where your money is being lost through inefficient products, and some great estimates on upgrades or replacements.
There are a lot of things you can do if you want reduce your environmental footprint on the planet. Start with the simplest methods, such as setting your heating thermostat to 60 degrees while you are away from home, and cleaning your furnace filters every few months. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. Even small steps that you take can add up to a big difference!
What will it take for you to take advantage of green energy, to improve your home and reduce your energy bill? The information contained here shows you where to start, so it’s all up to you now. Once you begin to implement them, you will notice results right away.