
Going green will not only benefit you, but it will also benefit the environment. You can make some small changes around the house which make it much more energy efficient, and you can cut electricity costs too! Read the tips in this article so you can learn how to conserve energy.
Are you the owner of a farm? If so, you can rent some property to energy companies for installing wind turbines. Everyone surrounding the area where these turbines are installed are sure to benefit, and the installation doesn’t take up that much space.
Furnace filters should be replaced annually, and check them monthly for cleanliness. Also, you may want your warm-air registers to have filters. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.
Wash your clothes in cold water whenever possible. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. It is also better to clean a full load, not smaller loads.
Biodiesel fuel might be an option if your current heat source is fuel oil. Many heating systems are able to change over to some biodiesel use without needing modifications or extra parts. Biodiesel will burn cleaner than petroleum, which helps to protect the environment.
Solar water heaters are a great option for your home. Using a solar water heater to warm your water with the energy of the sun works to save money and energy. It’s a good idea to use a supplemental water heater, however, if you cannot count on constant sunshine or if your hot water consumption is high.
When weather is good, skip the energy-hogging dryer and dry your clothes on an outdoor clothesline. The sun can really make your clothes smell incredible. Laundry will smell fresher and cleaner, much more so than when they were in the dryer. As well, you save quite a bit on monthly utility costs.
A good way to save money is to only turn on your dishwasher when you have a full load ready to go. Never run it with just a few dishes inside. You may be shocked to learn the number of dishes that can be loaded into a dishwasher. Set up the plates so that you fill it up as much as possible.
If you want to have hot water, but at a lower cost, then check into solar energy. Upgrade your hot water system to one that’s solar-powered. It is possible to use either a direct or indirect circulation system. For colder regions,indirect is a better option.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the amount of power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. This will ensure that you are not caught short during winter, and you have excess during the summer. Combining this method with a net utilities plan will mean getting back money from the electric company during the summer, too.
Storm Windows
To help prevent drafts, install storm doors and storm windows. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Energy efficiency can be increased up to 45% in a home with storm windows and doors.
Convert your home into a more efficient place by investing into energy saving products. Some green products such as eco-friendly doors, windows, and double-glazed windows can help you save energy and run the home efficiently. You cut your cooling and heating costs when you use these items as well.
Renewable Energy
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. In some instances, the local company gives rebates for upgrading to green tech. In some cases, there could be credits or tax deductions either from the federal or state government. These rebates, credits, and other allowances can make it much more affordable to install renewable energy equipment on your property.
Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. In other words, go paperless as much as possible. This will not only help businesses lower their energy costs, but you as well. An added bonus is that everyone benefits by the protection of our environment.
Turn off lights when you exit a room. This is a tried-and-true energy saving trick. You might be amazed at the amount of energy savings you can gain over time, simply by making it a point to turn off lights. You will, of course, save a lot of money on your energy bill, as well.
Switch your toilets to one of the newer, water-saving varieties. Some estimates show that toilets account for 50 percent of the water use in a home. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.
Frequently check the condition of the seal on your refrigerator and freezer doors. Refrigerators may use more energy if the seals are broken. This will, of course, cost you more. To check for a faulty seal, a paper can be inserted inside the fridge door in order to ensure it does not slip out easy.
Ceiling fans can help keep your home warm during the winter months. If you set them to rotate clockwise, it will push air that has risen to the ceiling downward, which means your furnace or space heater has to do less work. Running the heater less frequently will more than compensate for any electricity used by the fan.
Switching to green energy options need not be difficult or expensive. A few simple changes can be all it takes to save money on your utility bills. When attempting to go green, recall the tips in the article above and share them with others to increase the impact on the environment.