Are Green Energy sources affordable To The average customer?
Just start using less energy every day. Unplug appliances that are not being used. Lights and televisions should be off when not in use. This may be a simple tip, but it does save you money.
Shade the windows from sunlight to conserve energy in summer. Another option is installing darkening shades. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You’ll save money as well as energy.
Consider installing a solar water heating system. If you happen to live in a climate where freezing water isn’t going to affect you then you might want to invest into a system that circulates water through your solar heater before it is pumped into your home. You should still retain traditional water heaters for backup when the sun doesn’t show, or if you use a lot of heated water.
Are you living on a farm? If you have a lot of land, energy companies will pay you for the right to set up a wind turbine on it. Your home and the surrounding residences will get some free power. Don’t worry, wind turbines don’t take up a lot of room.
Do your research when it comes to the available energy sources where you live. Calculate the expense of using these types of utilities while noting any recent legislation pertaining to energy costs. It can benefit you to use natural gas instead of electricity, for example.
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save some money, do a load of dishwashing only when the dishwasher is filled to capacity. It’s sacrilege to turn it on with just one or two dishes inside. The dishwasher can actually fit a lot of dishes when loaded correctly. Think carefully about where you place each dish for optimal storage in the washer.
Try to turn off things you are not using. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. If you run your electronics through a power strip, you can turn everything off in that room with one switch.
Keep your refrigerator properly maintained. A refrigerator uses lots of energy so should be kept in good working condition. Keep heating coils dust free. Check the door seal for dirt, debris and leaks.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the amount of power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. This can prevent surprises in the winter, so you ensure your home has proper energy inventory. 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.
Save energy by buying products that conserve energy. There are many options for green products, such as double-glazed windows or doors that are energy conscious. These products offer much more efficiency to your home. When using these types of products you cut down on your heating and cooling costs.
If you love green energy and green living, consider using electric heaters less during the winter months. Buy more warm clothing and use a fireplace to add heat to your home. Cooler air is better for sleeping anyway, because it prevents airways from becoming dry.
Energy Costs
If you are apprehensive about what green changes to make to your home, there are many green energy consultants available today. These professionals can explain how efficient your systems are, and how much it will probably cost to change or replace them.
Opt out of snail mail where possible, and choose to get bills and notices by email. Live a paperless lifestyle whenever possible. This will help the businesses you deal with cut down on energy costs, and it will also save you a lot of money on energy costs too. You also help others by protecting the environment as well.
Don’t use a lot of heat during the winter if it’s not absolutely necessary. If it’s a bit chilly, try wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants. High heat can use too much energy.
If you would like to make your life greener like many people do, there are plenty of steps you can take. For example, cleaning your furnace filters every month and turning down the heat when you aren’t at home will greatly increase the efficiency of your furnace. Setting the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees will help reduce energy costs, too. Each little bit makes a difference!
Keep written track to remind yourself of your green energy goals, and look for progress in your energy consumption by comparing current bills to the previous year’s. Just thinking more about your energy usage will help you to change habits that lead you to over-use energy. For instance, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, it’s more likely that you will also try to use appliances and lights less often.
Keep written track to remind yourself of your green energy goals, and look for progress in your energy consumption by comparing current bills to the previous year’s. Keeping energy usage at the forefront of your mind can motivate you to use less energy in the long run. For instance, if your stated goal is to reduce your consumption of electricity and water, you are more apt to remember to turn off the lights and shut off the faucet when not using them.
While cooking, use a microwave if you can to save on energy. The stove and oven use a lot more energy to cook foods. If it is possible to microwave the item you are considering cooking, do so to reduce your energy consumption.
Get a water-saving toilet. Estimates show that 50% of water used in a home is to flush the toilet. A traditional toilet uses up to 5 gallons for each flush of the toilet, but the newer models use as little at 1.6 gallons, which is a savings of 3.4 gallons with each flush.
You can save energy by setting your heat to 60 degrees at night or when you aren’t home. This setting effectively reduces your energy use while not allowing the temperature to vary too far away from the human comfort level. You will decrease energy used and increase money saved.
The number of lights that are left on, or appliances that are run half full is astounding. Just by making some simple mindset alterations, a large amount of money can be saved in energy costs. Consider what you actually use and unplug the rest.
A good energy-saver is to check frequently for broken seals on your refrigerator. A seal that’s broken will result in your fridge running more than it needs to. This is a waste of money and energy. In your door, place a piece of paper. If it easily slides out, your seal probably needs to be replaced.
Energy Star
Do not neglect your ceiling fans during the winter. If you make them rotate clockwise, they push air down which warms up the room. It takes a minimal amount of electricity to run ceiling fans, especially when compared to running your furnace.
One simple way to recognize products and appliances that are energy efficient is to locate those with the ENERGY STAR designation. If your appliance has an ENERGY STAR logo, then it falls within the guidelines set by both the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Products that meet ENERGY STAR criteria are usually eligible for some form of tax rebate.
There are many ways you can conserve energy while doing laundry. Use the setting on your dryer that will turn it off when clothes are dry. The high-spin feature can work to reduce the amount of moisture in the laundry, thus limiting drying time. It is also important to consistently clean your filter and prevent blockage in your vent.
Install light sensors that are automatic and have motion detection in the rooms with lots of traffic. This turns the lights off in rooms that have nobody in them, which saves a lot of energy (and money). Add these sensors to your outdoor lights, as well.
A home-energy monitor can help you stay on top of your energy use. These devices can collect real-time usage statistics and help you estimate what it is costing you. Research has shown that if consumers see an immediate cost to their activities, they have a higher likelihood of cutting back on their energy usage.
Make use of ceiling fans even in the winter. If you make them rotate clockwise, they push air down which warms up the room. Running your fans is less costly than leaving your furnace on all the time.
Rainwater can be used effectively in your home, for example, in the toilet. This can save you cash on your utilities and make a good environmental impact. Collecting rain water isn’t difficult because all you need do is to place a number of glass jars outside before it rains, and then put a lid on the jars when they are full.
When doing laundry, there many things you can do to conserve energy. For example use the moisture sensor on your dryer; once the laundry is dry the dryer will automatically shut off. The high-spin feature can work to reduce the amount of moisture in the laundry, thus limiting drying time. Regular cleaning of filters and vents for your dryer will make it more efficient.
You may want to think about getting a dehumidifier. Humid air generally feels warmer. Running air conditioners are expensive and they use a lot of energy, so try to use a dehumidifier for awhile instead. You may be able to avoid the air conditioner for a while longer than you may have thought.
Keep your home’s lights turned off when they’re not in use. If you do not need the lights during the day time, keep them off. If you need them at night time, then make sure you switch them off after you exit a room. Don’t forget to also turn off your porch and cabinet lighting when not in use. This will lower your energy consumption.
