In the past, we tended to use resources without thinking about the future impact on the environment. However, we, as a society, have become more aware of the impact we’re having on the planet. Using green energy is a great way to care for the planet, while saving money as well. In this article, you will find a few ways to use green energy in your own home.
Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Solar water heaters are much more energy efficient than electric or gas-driven water heating systems. Solar systems use the sun’s energy to stabilize water temperature. Many of these improvements will cost you a bit up front, but the cost savings and tax deductions will usually more than offset that cost.
Find out more about the different energy solutions in your community. Check the cost of running your home using these utilities, taking into consideration any recent legislation regarding energy costs. You might find that you could save money by switching from an electric furnace to a natural gas one, for instance, or from using municipal water to your own well water.
Don’t keep things turned on all the time. When you leave a room, switch off the lights, computer or T.V. 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.
Maintain your refrigerator. Refrigerators take up lots of energy, so making sure they’re in working order is always good to know. Make certain to clean the dust that surrounds heating coils periodically. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
Help to control the air flow in your own home by installing a storm door and storm windows too. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Energy efficiency is increased by 45 percent in homes that have stormed doors and windows, which will save a lot of money on electricity.
An easy way to cut energy costs and go green is to dress warm. If you wear a light sweater, you’ll feel two degrees warmer. A thicker sweater adds about four degrees. Wearing slightly heavier clothes is not any less comfortable and can save you significant money.
Active Power
Be sure to learn more about passive and active solar power. When it comes to active power, the energy is stored for later use, while passive doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power. If you use active power, you will need to install mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive power, instead, just stores the energy gotten from the sun inside your home.
If you’re unsure about green investments, get an expert to provide a consultation that will optimize your energy usage. They will let you know how costly your appliances are, and they can give a detailed estimate on how much the costs will be to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
Opt out of snail mail where possible, and choose to get bills and notices by email. So, try your best to be as paperless as you possibly can. This helps to lower the energy costs of businesses as they communicate, and you can save energy as well. In addition, it will help protect the environment for all.
If you, like many other people, wish to lead a greener life in order to help save our environment, there are many things you can start doing now. Even though you may not have too much money, there are little things you can do, such as lowering your heat to 60 when you aren’t home and cleaning your furnace filters monthly. Reduce your water heat temperature to one hundred twenty degrees to save money as well. Every small amount helps.
You can heat your home using biofuels. This type of fuel is made of oils, wood and vegetable or animal fats. Propane furnaces can be changed to use multiple fuels. This would be about 20-99 percent biodiesel. Make sure you talk with a professional first before you try this fuel out.
Energy Star
Replace aging major appliances with ENERGY STAR appliances. Energy Star ratings mean that your new appliances are technologically built to use less energy than previous models. Refrigerators and freezers use about 20 percent less energy, while the energy that washing machines use is cut in half.
Even though appliances that are energy efficient cost more than those that are not, they are worth it because they will save you money over the long term. Since you won’t pay as much on utilities, it is worth spending more money on green technologies initially. It will also have a positive effect on the environment over the long term.
A great way for saving energy in your house is to turn the heat down to 60 degrees any time you are sleeping or not in the house. At this temperature, your home is not using much energy. This way, you are saving money and conserving energy.
To increase your home’s energy efficiency, try weatherizing your home. Insulating your home and installing more efficient windows, doors, and heating and cooling systems will let you use less energy in your home. These items will also mean lower energy costs on your monthly bill.
Save a substantial amount of money on your monthly bill by heating each room separately. A floor heating system that allows individual room control is a great investment. If your home is big, this is especially beneficial.
Make better use of ceiling fans during cold weather. Switch them to rotate in a clockwise position, which pushes warm air back down where you need it, and reduces your overall heating needs. The small amount of electricity needed to run the fans is offset by the energy savings from running your furnace less often.
As you can see, there are many ways to lessen your carbon footprint by making practical changes in the energy efficiency of your home. It is worth using green energy for the savings alone.