Many people want to do their part to save the environment, but have no clue what actions they need to take to do so. The good news is that if you want to go green, you can choose from many alternative energy sources to help you and the environment. This article has great tips to help you use green energy now.
Have solar panels installed on your home for an easy, renewable way to power some or all of your home’s appliances. There are a few things to consider before installing them. You should definitely consider how much sun your home is exposed to. When in a shaded area, or city with less sunny days, there won’t be as many benefits from solar power.
A solar water heater may be a viable option in your home. If you live somewhere where you don’t have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can use a system that circulates water through the solar heater before it gets pumped into your home. Even though solar water heaters are useful, it is still necessary to have a normal water heater for periods of extended cloudy weather or unusually high hot water use.
On hot, summer days, hang your clothes outside. In addition to the energy savings, you clothes will smell incredible. Sun-drying clothes gives them a fresh smell. You will also have lower utility bills.
Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. Don’t run it with just a few dishes. You might be surprised by how much you can actually fit in the dishwasher. Carefully align your dishes so that you can place as many dishes into it as possible.
When you calculate the solar panel needs of your home, figure out the hours of sun you get in the winter. You will avoid unpleasant surprises during winter, and you will also ensure your energy needs are met in summer. Be sure to get a net-usage plan with the energy company so that you can get money from them when you put the surplus energy onto their grid.
Storm Doors
Storm doors and windows offer better air flow in the home. They will help prevent cold air drafts in your home. Energy efficiency improves by 45% when storm doors and windows are implemented, which are big energy savers.
Get rid of your old tank-style water heater, and replace it with a modern tankless model. Even though you still need electricity or gas in order to heat water with these tanks, they use only the water you need instead of always keeping your whole tank heated. There are tankless heaters designed to not only provide one area with hot water, but also to heat entire houses.
Take advantage of any federal or local rebates that you may be entitled to receive. In some situations, your local utility company may provide rebates to offset some of the cost of such upgrades. The federal government, or your city or state government, may also offer tax breaks. These tax savings can reduce the net cost of installing alternative energy technology considerably.
Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. Live a paperless lifestyle whenever possible. You help both you and other businesses you communicate with save resources and energy. This also keeps the environment in better shape for everyone.
Keep your heat on at a moderate level. Don’t increase it unless it is a necessity. When the temperature drops, reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat. Higher levels of heat use a lot of excess energy!
Water-saving toilets are easy to find and install. You can save a lot of water from being flushed away if you upgrade to an energy efficient model. Older models used 5 or more gallons of water to flush; today’s water saving models uses a little over 1.5 gallons per flush. That is a 70 percent water savings.
A good green energy tool is a tankless water heater. The older models are constantly running, which ends up wasting energy. An on-demand water heater instantly heats water as it is needed resulting in tremendous savings.
Bamboo Products
Look into bamboo products when purchasing wood items. Scientifically speaking, bamboo is a grass, but it is just as strong as many woods. Bamboo is an excellent green product. It is very easy to grow and is becoming more widely available. Retail outlets are selling many bamboo products, from flooring to cutting boards. This saves energy needed to recycle and produce manufactured products.
Spending the extra money on buying green electronics and appliances pays off in the long run. 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 will also have a positive impact on the environment.
Be sure to constantly check your refrigerator and freezer’s seal in order to avoid excess energy use. If the seal is loose or broken, your refrigerator will run more often than it should, which will run up your energy bill and harm the environment. To determine whether you need to replace your seal, place a thin sheet of paper in the door and see to it that it doesn’t slide out easily.
Home energy monitors are a wise investment that will help you keep track of how energy is used in your home. They measure your energy usage to predict much money you spend and how your bills will appear. Studies suggest that if people know exactly how much it costs to use electrical equipment in their homes, they tend to be more vigilant about conserving energy.
Remember to turn off all lights when they aren’t in use. Turn off the lights when you leave the room, and only use lights that are necessary. Porch lights are almost a tradition for some people, but keep them off unless they are actually necessary. This simple change can go a long way towards reducing your electric bill.
In conclusion, not only are many politicians speaking about green energy, but it has become important since cheap oil cannot be found anymore. If you educate yourself it is much easier to be greener. By using this article’s advice, you can start being greener today!