Going Green With Your Own Energy Resources
Has green energy been something you’ve thought about but have never had the chance to learn about? Does it seem as though it would be costly or difficult? Ignore the past and embrace the future, by reading the article and making changes that will help your home.
It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. A big consideration is how much sunlight does your home typically receive? If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
By cutting back on electricity use, you will save quite a bit of money. Unplug alliances when they are not being used. Lights and televisions should be off when not in use. This is a simple tip that can help you save money, too.
Find out about the various energy sources that are available in your local community. Check to see how much it would cost to run your home with these other utilities, and remember to take into account the government bonuses that are sometimes available. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.
You can get a grant from the government to help you invest into some renewable energy. Contact your city or county government and ask about energy conservation programs available in your area. You might qualify for a solar or wind installation at no cost, or at least be able to deduct your expenses from your taxes.
Don’t waste money or energy by running a half-full load of dishes. The machine should not be used when only a few dishes need to be washed. Once you learn how to properly fill a dishwasher, you will be amazed at the number of dishes that can be washed in one load. Try your best to align your dishes properly so that you maximize your space in your dishwasher, play Tetris with your dishwasher.
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. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there. Your dishwasher can probably hold a lot more dishes than you think. Take care to line up your dishes, so you are able to put in as many as you can.
Make sure when you aren’t using something to turn it off. When you leave a room, shut off the lights, TV, computer, game systems, etc. Power strips are handy, because you can turn a number of devices off with the flip of one switch.
The power-storing batteries of your solar system should be installed close to the cells. This prevents energy from dissipating in a long cable. It also lessens any chance the cable will shade the cells, which reduces their generation capability.
Swap out your tank water heater for a tankless type. Tankless versions still need electricity or gas to heat water, but they are more effective in heating solely the water necessary instead of a huge tank of water constantly. Tankless water heaters are available to purchase in many different sizes; you can heat water for your whole house, or just a single faucet.
Take time to maintain your fridge properly. Since refrigerators are one of the high-consumption appliances, it’s crucial that you keep it running efficiently. Be sure to regularly clean out the dust around the heating coils. You also want to make sure the door seal is tight and clean.
Be sure to learn more about 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. Active solar power requires a lot of involvement in the form of installation, mechanics, and power cells. While passive simply uses the sun in storing thermal energy in your walls in order to heat your house.
Get rid of your old tank-style water heater, and replace it with a modern tankless model. These heaters only heat water when you need it rather than heating the tank constantly. This saves you on your gas or electricity costs. You can purchase tankless water heaters that are small enough to heat one faucet, or large enough to heat your entire house.
When choosing new windows or doors, consider the energy ratings as you shop. Some green products such as eco-friendly doors, windows, and double-glazed windows can help you save energy and run the home efficiently. With these products, cooling and heating costs are decreased.
Wearing warmer clothes helps slash energy costs as you go green. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so dress warmly and save money!
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. Sometimes, you will find that a local utility company can give a rebate for the total price of the upgrades. Also, you will find that you can get a tax deduction or a credit from the federal or state government. Credits and rebates will make it easier to afford green technology.
What do you have to do to make your home more green? You now have the answers but it is up to you to take initiative and use the knowledge you gained from this article. Once you begin, you’ll be surprised by the great results.
Use LED holiday lights to help with green energy use. A study conducted by the United States 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 amount of electricity could power 200,000 homes for an entire year. You can at least look forward to saving money on your energy bills!
