Reconfiguring your home to use less energy is easier than it has ever been before. By making a few minor adjustments, and perhaps a couple of major ones, it is possible for you to significantly reduce your impact on the environment, and save a lot of money. Read on for excellent ideas that will get you started in the right direction.
Simply cutting back on the amount of electricity you use on a daily basis can save a lot of energy. When a certain appliance is not in use, unplug it. Also, remember to turn off lights when they are not needed. This simple tip can save you a lot of money.
If you are considering purchasing outdoor lighting look into solar lamps. They don’t use any energy other than solar energy and they are cost effective. This will save significant energy. It means you don’t have to wire up outdoor lights.
Heating Systems
Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. 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. These types of upgrades, while more costly at first, may qualify you for a green energy deduction on your taxes.
Keep your windows shaded when trying to conserve energy. Curtains or blinds can also be used to do this. By doing these things, you’ll lower the amount you need to run your air conditioner in the summer, as your home will already be cooler. You’ll save money as well as energy.
The government has made grants for investing in renewable energy available to the public. Check with the local government and see what programs are available to you. For example you may be able to qualify for a grant for the installation of solar or wind powered technologies.
Heating your water with the power of the sun can be very efficient. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. Having a conventional heater as a back up if you expect a surge in hot water use can be wise.
Discover all the different sources of energy in your community. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or laws before making a decision. You may find that switching to one or another may provide a reduction in energy use and cost.
When using a dishwasher to do the dishes, don’t let it run unless it’s all the way full. Your dishwasher consumes the same energy and water, even if it is half full. Using the air-dry setting will save energy when you run the dishwasher.
Storm Doors
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. Storm windows and storm doors reduce the amount of cold air entering the home in the form of drafts. Installing storm windows and doors can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%.
Understand the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power is power that is stored to be used for a later time, while passive power doesn’t require power storage cells. In order to use active power, you will need to install a few things, including solar cells, mechanical systems, and most importantly, solar panels. Passive solar power is simply making use of the sun to keep thermal energy in your walls so you can heat your home.
You can increase the energy efficiency of your home by buying energy saving products. Use products such as double-glazed windows or eco-friendly doors to help reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your home’s needs. Utilizing these kinds of products permits you to reduce the costs of cooling and heating your home.
There is a lot you can do if you want to save energy. You might not have the money to invest in a solar panel array, but you can commit to cleaning your furnace filters once per month and setting your thermostat to 60 degrees while you are out. Reduce your water heater to 120 degrees, this can save you a lot of money. Every small amount helps.
Use LED lights on the holidays to save electricity. A U.S. Department of Energy study shows that people waste a lot of energy on traditional Christmas lights. The Department of Energy estimates that everyone can save well over 2 billion kilowatts including hours of power and energy if everyone did this type of change. That is the equivalent to the power it would take to run 200,000 homes for a year. But for your own part, this is a great way to cut that power bill down.
A good energy product is an on demand water heater. Instead of constantly heating water, these newer heaters heat it only as necessary so that you don’t waste energy. These tankless water heaters instantly heat water as you need it, which saves a significant amount on your utility bills.
You should seek out help from your electric company as you begin to make your home energy-efficient. You can look on the company’s website for tool that track your energy consumption and tips for saving energy. Also look into any rebate programs which can help offset the cost of purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
If you spend the additional money to purchase green appliances and electronics, over a period of time it will pay off. Green technologies cost a little more initially, but you will save money on your utility bills, making them a wise investment. These electronics will also be beneficial to the environment in the future.
Remember these tips and do your best to apply them to your household. Your energy bills will go down and the good you are doing for your environment will increase. Even small changes can set you on a path toward a greener lifestyle.