We have come to realize how important it is to take better care of our environment. Using green energy at home is a great way to save both the environment and your hard-earned money at the same time. The following paragraphs are going to make you aware of some techniques you can apply to let your home enjoy the benefits of green energy.
Shading windows from sunlight whelps to save energy. Another suggestion for window treatments is installing curtains or blinds. If you do both of these it will cool your house down so you won’t have to use as much air conditioning in the summer. You will save money and energy at the same time.
Reduce your energy consumption by unplugging anything that is not in use, especially battery chargers. Chargers for devices like phones, music players, computers and others use small amounts of power any time they are in an outlet, even if you aren’t charging anything.
Heating your water with the power of the sun can be very efficient. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. Don’t get rid of your conventional water heater though; you may need it if it’s cloudy when you’re ready to use hot water.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, refrain from doing a load until the dishwasher is completely full of dishes. It will use the same quantity of water or energy even if one dish is in it. When you run the dishwasher, see to it that you are using its energy-saving setting; that will allow the dishes to dry using air.
Calculate potential energy generation during the planning of buying home solar systems. When you do this, you understand how much you should be consuming on a daily basis during winter, and you won’t become surprised one day. If you’re using a net-usage plan, in the summer you’ll get cash back from your utility provider.
Stormed Windows
The flow of air in a home is better controlled when you have stormed windows and doors installed. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. Energy efficiency increases by 45% in houses that contain stormed windows and doors, which could save you lots of money when it comes to electricity.
Change up the way you dress in your home and warm yourself up to avoid turning on the heater if possible. A light sweater offers 2 degrees of more warmth, and a heavy sweater adds 4 degrees. It is unnecessary to dress scantily at home, so pick up a sweater and save some money!
Seek out local and federal rebates offered for making energy upgrades to your home. Sometimes, your local utility company can give you a rebate based on what the upgrades cost. You may also get state and federal tax deductions for making your home more energy efficient. Rebates and credits will help to offset the cost of implementing green energy technology you want to add to your home.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. You can make one using supplies you may already have on-hand like old window panes, boxes, and pieces of aluminum foil. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.
Think about using a carpool for work and other activities in order to reduce the amount of fuel you use. If you have children that you take to school or sporting activities, try setting up a carpool with other parents, and trade off the days you will drive. Those who live close to friends or family can go grocery shopping together.
An old, yet good tip, for those looking to save on energy is to turn off your lights whenever you leave a room. You will be surprised at the amount of energy you save over a certain period of time by turning your lights off when they are not being used. The money that you will save is an added bonus.
One of the simplest ways to be environmentally friendly is to install a water-saving toilet. It’s estimated that as much as fifty percent of your water usage comes from the toilet. With the older model of toilets, the amount of water consumed each time they are flushed is 5 gallons; however, the newer, water-saving models consume only 1.6 gallons per flush, which will yield a saving of approximately 70 percent in your annual water consumption.
If it is one of your priorities to treat the environment better you can do so by utilizing some of these tips, which will increase the energy efficiency of your home. Just seeing the cost savings mount up is a great motivator.
