The environmental and monetary costs of powering a home can be greatly reduced through green energy sources. If you want to learn how to go green with your energy usage around the house, read on for some tips that can help you consume energy wisely.
Simply lessening the amount of daily energy consumption can save lots of energy. If there is an appliance you aren’t using, then unplug it. Lights and televisions should be off when not in use. This simple tip can go a long way in saving you money.
Instead of using your air conditioner in the summer, try to wear fabrics that are natural. Cotton and other natural fibers, draw the moisture away from your skin, and allow you to stay cooler. Also, choose lighter colors. Darker colors absorb heat, which makes you feel warmer, meaning you’ll set your thermostat lower.
Clean your furnace filters regularly and replace them at least one time a year. It is also recommended to put filters on every register in your home. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
Find out about the various energy sources that are available in your local community. Checking the costs of running a home with utilities should also include recent legislation about energy costs. For example, it might be wise to use natural gas instead of electric heat or water from the well rather than city water.
If you aren’t using something, turn it off. So, make sure you turn things off like the computer, TV, or lights when you leave a room. Use power strips for home electronics. As well, turn this off when you’re not using your electronics. Products in standby mode still waste power.
If you use a dishwasher to clean your dishes, do not run it until it is completely full. A half load uses the exact same amount of water and energy as a full one. When you do operate your dishwasher, be sure to make use of the energy-saving feature, which air-dries your dishes.
Put the solar energy system’s batteries close to its cells during installation. This can stop power loss in the cable. It also reduces shading of the solar shells. Shading reduces solar panel energy generation.
Replace your tank-style water heater with a green, tankless model. While tankless heaters still require gas or electricity to heat your water, they only heat the amount of water you need, rather than keeping a large tank hot around the clock. You can either get a tankless heater for your entire house or for a only one faucet.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer to save electricity and enhance your mobility. Making this switch can reduce your power consumption by up to 75%. This is especially true if you are an Internet addict or do heavy word processing. In addition, the laptop is portable and be used anywhere in the house.
Keep an eye on how many watts of electricity you use. Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt are both tools that help to monitor energy consumption. Using these devices with your appliances will tell you how much energy is used. You can learn how much your appliances are costing you.
You should heat your home with biofuel. Biofuels contain wood, oil and fat. If you have a propane furnace a professional may be able to convert your furnace to a bio-fuel furnace. These changes would let you use biofuels is between 20 percent and 90 percent of the fuel used in the furnace. Talk to a pro before using this fuel inside your house.
Considering the purchase of a new boiler could save you money in the long run. Old boiler units were not designed with energy conservation in mind, yet new boilers are typically more efficient. New boilers create less carbon dioxide, keep you healthier, and save you money.
Less Energy
Energy Star appliances help save energy. This rating will guarantee than your appliance is using less energy! This rating guarantees 20% less energy for freezers and refrigerators, 40% difference for dishwashers, and 50% for washing machines!
One easy, common sense tip to save energy is to shot off all the lights when you exit a room. Do this at all times. You may be shocked by the amount of electricity you can save by starting this simple habit. You will also save on your electric bill.
If you spend the money on green appliances and electronics now, you’ll save over time. Green technology appliances can cost a bit more up front, but you will be paid back through lower energy bills for the life of the appliances. It also pays off in the future for the environment.
Energy Star Appliances
Energy efficient appliances have Energy Star logos. ENERGY STAR appliances must meet all the guidelines which have been established by the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to this, only ENERGY STAR appliances can be used for tax rebates.
Heat each room separately to save money on heat. To do this, your home will need a board that makes it possible to control the heating for different areas of your home. If your home is large, this solution helps save on heating bills.
Thawing frozen foods in your refrigerator is a good way to conserve energy. This is the safest and FDA-recommended method for thawing out food. Plus, the cool air produced by the frozen item will help make your fridge more efficient.
When you begin to save energy through greener methods, you save money today and the planet as well. As this article states, going green isn’t something that is expensive or complicated. Use the advice you find here in working to create an environmentally friendly house today.