Ways You Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

By tony / May 9, 2018

TIP! If you are considering purchasing outdoor lighting look into solar lamps. They don’t use any energy other than solar energy and they are cost effective.

There are many ways to use green energy to help protect our environment. If you are looking for information on how to use green energy technology at home, continue on for some helpful tips that will show you how to go about accomplishing this.

TIP! Keeping your windows shaded to keep sunlight out of the house will greatly conserve energy. Use curtains or blinds as an alternative.

Some government money is available to assist consumers with switching to renewable energy. Contact your local government for more information of programs near you. You may qualify for free wind or solar installation, or you may find that you can deduct some of your expenses on your taxes.

Solar Panels

TIP! If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months. This can prevent surprises in the winter, so you ensure your home has proper energy inventory.

You will find that it’s easy to get solar panels and they’re a great way to get energy for your home. However, before doing this, you need to consider a few things. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.

TIP! If you’re installing a solar energy system, be sure to place the batteries in close proximity to the cells. No power will be lost during the transfer from the cells to the batteries by doing this.

Be a smarter energy consumer by unplugging your electronic device chargers when they are not in use. Chargers for your electronics, such as an iPod or cell phone, are always using electricity, even when they’re not in use, so unplug them when you can.

TIP! Storm doors and windows can make air flow in the home better. Storm’s windows and doors cut down on the cold air that drafts can let in.

If you have a farm try some energy saving alternatives. If you have a lot of land, energy companies will pay you for the right to set up a wind turbine on it. Not only does it take up very little space, both you and the neighbors will greatly benefit from this free energy.

TIP! Trade out your older, tank-style water heater for a tankless model that is more green. Tankless water heaters still require power to heat the water, but they heat only the water that you want to use, rather than heating a tank of water that you’re not always using.

Solar water heaters are an inexpensive and efficient way to heat your home’s water. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have to worry about freezing temperatures, you can get a system that will circulate the water through a solar heater before pumping it into your home. Having a conventional heater as a back up if you expect a surge in hot water use can be wise.

TIP! Try receiving as much messaging as you can via email. So, try your best to be as paperless as you possibly can.

If you aren’t using something, turn it off. When you leave a room, shut off the lights, TV, computer, game systems, etc. Use a power strip for your home electronics, and turn it off when you aren’t using the equipment. If something is left in standby mode, it is still wasting power.

Storm Windows

TIP! Make sure you remind yourself to be on top of being energy efficient and check into your energy bills on a monthly and annual basis to see what the difference is. When you’re more conscious of the energy you consume you can help to reduce costs in all areas of your life.

Help to control the air flow in your own home by installing a storm door and storm windows too. These kinds of doors and windows reduces the amount of cold air that comes into the home. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.

Turn the heat down in your house. If it’s a bit chilly, try wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. Having the heat up high wastes a lot of energy.

TIP! Energy Star appliances help save energy. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing.

Keep up with your watt usage. A gadget like Watt Minder or Kill-A-Watt will help you discover which appliances are your prime energy consumers. When you plug an electrical appliance into the monitor, it displays how much energy it requires each hour, month, or year. It gives concrete information about how much energy the appliance is wasting.

TIP! Remember that buying green technology is an investment that will pay off later. You usually have to pay a bit more upfront for green technologies, but you will save far more than the difference over time with reduced energy costs.

Biofuels can be used to heat your home. What these fuels are composed of are wood, oil and vegetable or animal fats. Typically, if your furnace uses propane, professionals can easily provide changes so you use these fuels. Your fuel choices are likely to be between 20 and 99 percent biofuel. Be sure you discuss any new fuel use in your home with a pro before starting.

Energy Star

TIP! Solar panels can be a great addition for your home, making it more efficient and greener. Although solar panels can be expensive, they will save money on electricity costs.

Use Energy Star rated appliances instead of your old 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%.

TIP! Separately heating each room will help you to lower your heating bill. Consider getting baseboard heating to adjust the heat in every room.

Your electric company can be a great resource for taking a look at how you can make your house energy-efficient. A lot of them have the option on their website that will show you how much energy your household is using. They may also show ways you can lower your energy usage. Check out the appliances and light bulbs that they recommend, as well as special programs to help you purchase them.

TIP! Make your home greener by prioritizing the responsible usage of lighting. During times of the year when the days are longer, keep light usage to certain times of the day.

One simple way to spot energy-efficient appliances is to check for an ENERGY STAR logo. Appliances that have been ENERGY STAR rated follow energy consumption guidelines promulgated by the U.S. Department of Energy in addition to those of the Environmental Protection Agency. You can get a tax rebate from these type of items, as well.

TIP! There are a lot of things you can do to save energy when you wash your laundry. Most dryers have a moisture setting that will shut your dryer off when the clothes are dry.

In the rooms in your home that get the most use, install motion detectors and light sensors. These motion sensor lights will turn off lights in rooms that are not in use automatically, which in turn, will save you money with your energy bills. Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.

TIP! Drive down the prices of green energy technologies by demanding these technologies. Consumer demand helps increase environmental technologies.

Use weatherizing techniques to improve the energy efficiency rating of your home. Your home will need less energy to run if you have items such as energy efficient windows and insulation. You may also see real savings on your energy bill!

TIP! Don’t drink bottled water. This normally came from a basic tap anyway, and it is simply a waste of energy and resources.

By using green energy today you are saving money and the planet. As this article demonstrates, going green is not all that complicated or expensive. Put the good advice you have read here today to work in creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly home today.