It isn’t always hard to be a bit more green. Reducing your electricity consumption does not have to be complicated, and will help keep the environment healthy. Take advantage of the helpful tips in the article below to positively impact the environment with green energy.
Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. Using natural gas or electricity is not as efficient as solar power, and solar water heaters can keep the water temperature steady. In the United States there are many tax deductions for energy efficient green products.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Cotton and other natural fibers, draw the moisture away from your skin, and allow you to stay cooler. Wear lighter colored clothes, as darker colors tend to make you feel hotter, which results in your putting on the AC.
Getting solar panels put in at home is simple and easy to attain energy from this source. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. The number one to think about is the amount of sun your home gets. If your home is mostly in the shade, or if you live in a location that receives little sun, your power gain may be minimal.
It is important to clean your furnace filter on a regular basis to be sure you are using as little energy as possible heating your home. It is also a good idea to install filters on warm-air registers. This will prevent a reduction in efficiency, which occurs when the heating ducts get clogged with debris.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. Some systems do not need any modifications in order to use biodiesels. Bio-diesel fuels burn more efficiently and cleaner than conventional petroleum- based fuel oil.
Only run your dishwasher when it is completely full. If you only have a couple of dishes, do not put them in the dishwasher and turn it on. Dishwashers can usually hold many dishes. Just make sure to align the dishes in an orderly manner to maximize the available space.
Turn you appliances off when you are not using them. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Storm Doors
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. Storm doors and windows stop drafts from letting in so much cold air. Your home’s energy efficiency will increase by as much as 45% if you install storm windows and doors!
Dress in warm clothes to cut costs! By simply putting on a sweater, you can improve your heated temperature by between 2 to 4 degrees. It is unnecessary to dress scantily at home, so pick up a sweater and save some money!
If you are on the fence about whether to invest money in green energy for your home, have your existing equipment examined by professional plumbers or HVAC experts. They should be able to inform you about extra expenses you are paying for inefficient appliances, as well as the amount it would cost to upgrade to newer, energy-efficient models.
Switch over to getting information through email. In other words, choose paperless options anytime you can. Reducing your consumption of paper saves energy on production costs, along with the costs of shredding documents in your home. This benefits everyone in society along with your own business.
Use LED lights for home and tree decorations at the holidays. The use of LED lights reduces the use of electricity according to research. By having everyone make this change, the country can save 2 billion kilowatt power hours. That amount of power could run 200,000 homes for one full year. At least, you can save money on your electricity!
Carpooling is a great way to get to many places; not only work. If your kids share activities with other children in the neighborhood, there’s no reason not to carpool to them. If you live near another family and friends, then synchronize your grocery shopping days and take turns being the driver.
Energy Star
If you are purchasing new appliances, try to aim for Energy Star rated ones. This is your guarantee that your new appliances will use less energy, and therefore cost you less to run. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
When you exit a room, turn off the lights. You would be surprised how much energy you could end up saving over time if you get into the habit of turning off your lights. Your power bills will also be significantly less.
If you need to buy a wooden item, see if it is available in bamboo. Bamboo is very green and strong and is technically considered a grass. It grows fast and is made for several products like furniture or flooring. This saves energy needed to recycle and produce manufactured products.
Energy efficient appliances have Energy Star logos. If the appliance has an ENERGY STAR, it means it meets guidelines established by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the EPA. ENERGY STAR products are useful for tax credits.
While people may have different opinions about global warming, green energy can benefit anyone. It saves plenty of money on the electric bill, by making just a few small changes to your daily life, such as shutting off the lights when not in the room.