We have come to realize how important it is to take better care of our environment. There are not many better ways to have a positive impact on the environment, while saving money, than making green energy choices. The article below will show you some of the best methods that you can use to make green energy work for you.
Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. Some of these upgrades, while more expensive up-front, may qualify for green energy tax deductions.
Do your best to consume the least amount of energy possible in your home. Do things like unplug any electronic device that you aren’t using that may still be plugged into an outlet. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw “phantom power” if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. When you leave a room, take the time to turn off lights, the tv or the computer. If you run your electronics through a power strip, you can turn everything off in that room with one switch.
Take time out to properly inspect your refrigerator. Refrigerators constantly use energy to maintain cooler temperatures. If it is not properly cared for, it will use much more energy than it needs to. Be sure that you’re regularly cleaning the dust that builds up near the heating coils. You also want to make sure the door seal is tight and clean.
Replace your tank-style water heater with a green, tankless model. Tankless heaters still use electricity or gas to provide hot water, but they only heat the water you actually need. You can get a tankless water heater to heat your entire home’s water supply or you can get a smaller one that heats only water that comes out of a particular faucet.
One way to save energy is to limit the use of electrical heaters in the winter. Wrap up your family in warmer clothes and make use of your fireplace for added warmth. Also, it has been shown that people sleep better in cooler temperatures.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer to save electricity and enhance your mobility. This can significantly lower the amount of electricity you use, especially if the computer is on the Internet a lot or uses word processing software. Plus, you can take your laptop with you anywhere you go!
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. These professionals can explain how efficient your systems are, and how much it will probably cost to change or replace them.
A solar oven is a fun and effective way to reduce your energy needs for cooking. You can make these with simple items, such as boxes, an old window, and some foil for reflection. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.
Pay attention to the watts used in your home. Try using gadgets like the Kill-A-Watt and the Watt Minder to see what in your home uses too much energy. By plugging any device into this gadget, it will tell you how much energy it consumes. This lets you know how much it costs to operate an appliance.
LED lights should be used during the next holiday season. A study was conducted by the U.S. The United States Department of Energy states over 2 billion hours of kilowatt power could by saved by a nationwide change. Over 200,000 homes can be powered for a full year with that amount of energy. You can at least look forward to saving money on your energy bills!
Another great idea would be to use bio-fuels for house heating. These fuels use fats, wood or oil to create energy. You can hire a professional to adjust your propane furnace to be capable of using any type of fuel you desire. This way, you would have approximately 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
As odd as it sounds, the majority of people do not bother to disconnect or turn off lights and electronics when they are not being used. Just this single habit could prevent a lot of unnecessary energy use and save much money. Get in the habit of turning things off. When leaving a room, turn off the lights. Shut down the computer monitor when you are finished with it.
Your electric company can assist you in making your home energy-efficient. You can look on the company’s website for tool that track your energy consumption and tips for saving energy. They may also have programs to help you purchase energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Green Technology
The initial cost of green technology is overshadowed by the long term savings. Although green technology is a bit more expensive, it quickly pays for itself in lower bills. It also pays off in the future for the environment.
Put solar panels on the roof to make the home greener. The initial cost of installing solar panels may seem significant, but consider the long term saving when calculating the final cost. Not only will the energy you generate take care of your electric bill, there may even be some left over to sell to your electric company.
No doubt, you read this article because you feel green energy is important. Make your home more energy efficient and minimize your carbon footprint by applying the ideas in this article. The money that you save might well make it worth the time you have invested in the changes.