
Cutting back on how many resources run your home can be easy. A few thoughtful changes can minimize your carbon footprint, as well as save money in your bills. Read on for excellent ideas that will get you started in the right direction.
Cutting back on your daily electricity usage can save lots of energy over time. When you are not using certain appliances, unplug them until you are ready to use them again. Turn off the lights and TV when not in the room. This simple tip will save you money as well.
Switch to a solar water heater to heat your pools, showers, hot tubs and kitchen faucets to save money. When you heat water with natural gas or electricity, it isn’t as efficient as using a solar alternative. While a few of the upgrades are costlier up front, they might be eligible for tax deductions or green energy tax credits.
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Moisture-wicking athletic fabrics pull moisture away from your skin, creating a cooling sensation. Light colors help you to feel cooler than darker or warmer colors.
Dry your clothes on a line or rack in the summer instead of a dryer. The sun can dry clothes quickly without using any power, with the added benefit of making your clothes smell extra-fresh. Laundry will smell fresher and cleaner, much more so than when they were in the dryer. Additionally, you will end up saving lots of money each month 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 versions still need electricity or gas to heat water, but they are more effective in heating solely the water necessary instead of a huge tank of water constantly. There are models available that provide on-demand hot water for a whole house or just one faucet.
Active Power
When looking at solar power, know the difference between passive solar power and active. Using active power means storing energy for later use, while passive energy is about benefiting from the warmth or light of the sun rays right away. To use active power it requires mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive systems simply use the sun’s energy to heat your house or water.
A good way to save on your electric bill is to switch to a laptop computer rather than using a desktop. Laptops use about 75% less electricity than desktops, especially if the desktop is being used for the Internet or software programs. The other benefit to using laptop over a desktop is that it is portable, so it can be taken anywhere!
Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. So, try your best to be as paperless as you possibly can. You will save valuable energy and help the businesses you use to save also. In addition, going paperless helps the environment, something that everyone benefits from.
Whenever possible, keep the heat in your home turned down. When the temperature drops, reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat. Higher levels of heat use a lot of excess energy!
Make use of a solar-powered oven for baking. You can make these with boxes, old windows or old pieces of foil that can be used for reflection. This oven uses only solar energy and can reach cooking temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.
Create reminders for yourself in order to stay focused on your energy efficiency goals. Try to check your utility bill occasionally in order to see the progress you are making. Increasing your consciousness of your energy consumption can help you cut back. Taking the time to use less resources will help you get into a habit of preventing energy waste through unattended appliances.
One easy way to go green is to use an on-demand water heater. Old fashioned water heaters would constantly run, heating water even when it is not needed, and therefore wasting energy. On-demand heaters only heat water when necessary, which greatly reduces energy costs.
A really simple way to begin making your house energy-efficient is to get your electric company to help you. Some of the websites of these companies contain tools to show you the amount of energy you use. They may also provide you with advice on how to cut your energy costs and electricity usage. Be sure that you take advantage of programs that provide incentives for the purchase of green items like light bulbs or appliances.
Find some way to incorporate what you’ve just learned into your life. It will help you save a significant amount of money on your energy bill, and allow you to contribute more to the environment. Take small steps and soon you will be entirely relying on green energies!