It does not have to be expensive to go green, nor does it have to be time consuming. By just switching up a few things, your home can use much less energy. Read this article for learning how to effectively use green energy, while helping the environment in the long run.
Making small adjustments to the way you use energy every day can ultimately reduce your consumption. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Be diligent about switching off the television or lighting if you aren’t using them. This little tip will save you money in the long run.
When you are away from home, use window coverings. This simple act blocks the sun from entering and heating your house in the summer, while in the winter, it keeps the heat from escaping through drafty windows. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. For example, it might be wise to use natural gas instead of electric heat or water from the well rather than city water.
Try drying your laundry outside in the sun whenever possible, rather than using a dryer. Your laundry will smell fantastic after a day in the sun. They’ll be smelling much fresher than if they were just dried in a dryer. You will also be saving money on your utility bills.
Tankless Heaters
You can get rid of your old, tank style water heater and switch it out with a new, greener, tankless one. Tankless heaters require less energy to heat water, as they only heat it as needed. You can purchase tankless heaters that supply the whole house, or ones that supply just one faucet.
If green energy is a concept which you embrace, minimize the use of electrical heaters during the winter months. Instead, make sure each member of your family has sweaters, robes and slippers, and heat your living areas with a pellet stove or fireplace. 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.
Increase your energy efficiency by making use of the right products that are designed for a greener environment. Examples of these include windows, light bulbs, and appliances, all of which have been designed to run efficiently on reduced energy. Using these products is a great way to save money on heating and cooling.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. You can make these with boxes, old windows or old pieces of foil that can be used for reflection. Solar ovens can be heated over 300 degrees and only use the sun for energy.
Watch how many watts you use. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from. If you connect an appliance to either of these devices, it can calculate the energy savings you could realize over a given period of time if you switched to green power, from an hour to a year. This way, you will know how much that appliance costs you, and you can adjust your usage or settings accordingly.
In order to keep up with energy efficiency goals, compare all your energy bills to previous year to see how much progress you are making. When you’re more conscious of the energy you consume you can help to reduce costs in all areas of your life. Cut down electricity and water consumption so you are likely to turn off appliances.
Everyone should strive to use green energy. It saves plenty of money on the electric bill, by making just a few small changes to your daily life, such as shutting off the lights when not in the room.
