You may be amazed when you learn about the many ways green energy can be used in the home, ones that are easy to implement and don’t cost a fortune. This article provides you with the information needed to make your own home more green.
Changing your heating to solar water can reduce the price to heat your water, hot tub and pool. Using natural gas or electricity is not as efficient as solar power, and solar water heaters can keep the water temperature steady. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.
The U.S. Government makes grant funds available as an incentive for consumers to start using green energy. Contact your local government in order to see the different programs available in your area. For instance, you might find that installation of wind or solar structures is free, or you might see a tax benefit by installing a tankless water heater.
Check with a technician and see if switching to biodiesel for your home instead of fuel oil is a viable option for you. Many heating systems can be switched over to run on biodiesel without needing extra modifications or parts. Biodiesel is a better fuel because it has a cleaner burn and is more efficient.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This will keep the house cool and reduce energy costs. Typically, windows that face south are positioned so that they receive the most sun. When possible, however, cover all of your windows with special shades like roller shades, roman shades or dark, thick curtains.
Maybe you can use solar water heaters instead of traditional heating methods. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. Yet make sure that you also have a regular water heater as well just in case the sun decides to not come out for awhile.
If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. The machine should not be used when only a few dishes need to be washed. You might be surprised by the number of items that you can fit in your dishwasher. When loading the dishwasher, align the dishes in a way that allows you to fit the maximum number of items inside.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. There are many items on the market you can buy to track your energy use, such as the Kill-a-Watt. If you attach the device to the appliances in your home, it will let you know how much energy that appliance uses for different lengths of time. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
There are a lot of things you can do if you want reduce your environmental footprint on the planet. For example, cleaning your furnace filters every month and turning down the heat when you aren’t at home will greatly increase the efficiency of your furnace. Setting your water heater to 120 F will also be an energy saver. No change is too small.
Less Energy
Replace any old major appliances with new Energy Star rated appliances. This rating ensures that the appliance was built to use less energy than the other non Energy Star products. Appliances like fridges and freezers can use up to 20% less energy, while washing machines can save up to 50%.
When you cook at home, use a microwave as much as you can. Any time you use the oven or stove, you’re using a lot of energy. By using the microwave, you are cutting down the amount of energy you use a great deal.
An on-demand hot water heater is a good way to stay green. The old-fashioned water heaters run constantly, even running when not needed and that wastes energy. An on-demand water heater instantly heats water as it is needed resulting in tremendous savings.
A common habit that uses energy is not turning off lights, appliances, and other things when they aren’t in use. Just this single habit could prevent a lot of unnecessary energy use and save much money. Make a conscious effort to ensure your lights and appliances are switched off when not being used.
All of this article’s tips are easy and simple to do, so don’t permit excuses to distract you from using them. All it takes is some knowledge and time to get that peace of mind. So make some changes now and you will enjoy your future rewards!
