To protect the environment and decrease energy costs, it is important that you have green energy in your home. Buying an electric car is not going to be needed! Keep reading to find out how to make your household more energy efficient, no matter your budget.
People can get government grants to invest in some renewable energies. Check with the local government and find out about any possible programs you may be eligible for. You may qualify for free wind or solar installation, or you may find that you can deduct some of your expenses on your taxes.
Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. If you live in an area with a lot of shade, or worse, a lot of cloudy days, you’ll be unable to make full use of solar panels.
Think about heating your water with solar water heaters. If you live in a sunny climate, you can use a solar water heater year-round. Having a conventional heater as a back up if you expect a surge in hot water use can be wise.
When not being used, turn things off. When you leave an area take the time to turn off lights, televisions, stereos, computers, and other electrical items you are not going to be using. Connect your home electronics to a power strip and unplug it when they are not in use. Phantom power draws from electronics in standby mode is a big problem.
Dressing warmly can help you reduce your energy usage. By simply putting on a sweater, you can improve your heated temperature by between 2 to 4 degrees. So, wear a sweater to save some money.
Solar Oven
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. They require only sunlight to reach a temperature of more than 300 degrees, and they only take a few minutes to construct.
Pay attention to the watts used in your home. Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt are both tools that help to monitor energy consumption. All you have to do is plug the appliance directly into the device so that it can calculate how much energy is being used per hour, month, or year. This can let you see how much your devices really cost you.
If you are trying to achieve a greener lifestyle, there are many options for you. You might not have the money to invest in a solar panel array, but you can commit to cleaning your furnace filters once per month and setting your thermostat to 60 degrees while you are out. Another money saving way to conserve energy is lowering the temperature of your water heater, under 120 degrees is best. Just little changes can help.
Instead of using standard lights for your next holiday season, make sure to use LED lights to decorate your tree and home. According to a U.S. study. The United States Department of Energy states over 2 billion hours of kilowatt power could by saved by a nationwide change. That much electricity could power at least 200,000 home for a whole year. At least, you could save money when it comes to your power bill!
You can save energy by switching your boiler. Boilers that are more than a few years old were not made to conserve energy, while many modern boilers are quite efficient. Newer boilers produce far less carbon dioxide and reduce energy bills.
Less Energy
Trade in your old major appliances for new ones with the Energy Star rating. Energy Star appliances are guaranteed to use less energy than those made previously. This rating guarantees 20% less energy for freezers and refrigerators, 40% difference for dishwashers, and 50% for washing machines!
Changing the filter in your furnace, using energy efficient light bulbs, and installing a programmable thermostat are easy ways to conserve energy in your home. Set a good example for your friends and family, and show them just how easy “going green” can really be. Keep these tips in mind and apply them!
