Simple Green Energy Ideas That You Can Benefit From
Going green will not only benefit you, but it will also benefit the environment. Change some small things in the home to save on your energy costs. Continue on for some helpful green energy tips at home.
Shade your windows from excessive amounts of sunlight to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Keep blinds closed and curtains drawn. By using heavy window covering you house will remain cooler which will decrease the amount of air conditioning needed. You will save both money and energy in the process.
If you plan to purchase lighting for your deck or patio, you should give solar-powered lamps a try. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. This will save significant energy. As an added benefit, you are spared the trouble of running an outdoor wiring system.
You will find that it’s easy to get solar panels and they’re a great way to get energy for your home. Consider some things before you do this, as you will benefit from the thought process. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? If you live in a shady place, or a location with a cloudy climate, solar isn’t the choice for you.
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, remove moisture from skin so that you stay cool. You can also try wearing lighter colors, they help you feel cooler, lessening your need for artificial cold air.
Are you living on a farm? If you do, or if you are aware of someone that does, you may be able to rent some of the property to a local energy company that will install a type of wind turbine. You and the neighbors can benefit from this free installation and energy which won’t take up much space.
When battery chargers and other electronics are not in use, unplug them. Chargers for devices like phones, music players, computers and others use small amounts of power any time they are in an outlet, even if you aren’t charging anything.
One thing you might consider is heating your water with solar water heaters. Using a solar water heater to warm your water with the energy of the sun works to save money and energy. As is true with many solar options, you should keep your traditional water heater for times when there is not enough sun, or in case you need to use a lot of water.
Do you have a large plot of land? If you have a farm or know the owner of a farm, you may be able to rent some land to a utility company for installing a wind turbine. You and the neighbors can relish in the free energy and installation, if it doesn’t require too much space.
If you’re not using an appliance, turn it off. Upon leaving a particular room, remember to turn of the lights, television, computer or even the entertainment center. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Purchase a solar water heater to warm up your water. If you live in a region that is not at risk for freezing, it is possible to install a system that pumps water into a solar heater, then pumps it into your house. Yet make sure that you also have a regular water heater as well just in case the sun decides to not come out for awhile.
Think about how much sun your home gets during winter months to help you figure out how much solar energy you need to power your home. This prevents any unanticipated effects from a winter months, and it keeps you ahead of the game for summer months. Net usage plans let you receive money for generated energy!
Indirect Systems
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. If you use storm doors or windows, you can save at least 45 percent on your electricity bills.
Solar energy is a great way to get hot water at a low cost. Purchase a solar water heating system. There are direct circulation systems as well as indirect systems. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
One way to save energy is to limit the use of electrical heaters in the winter. Instead, start wearing warmer clothing indoors and use a pellet stove or fireplace to keep main living areas heated. By inhaling cooler air during the sleeping hours, your breathing will be better as your airways are less likely to get dry.
When looking at solar power, know the difference between passive solar power and active. Passive solar systems are less expensive but cannot store energy like active solar systems do. Active power needs solar panels installed, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power is energy that gets stored and is used later. Passive is energy that can be used without expensive 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 energy is about using windows and insulation to keep your home warm and well-lit.
You can increase the energy efficiency of your home by buying energy saving products. One of the most popular products to increase the energy efficiency of your home are double-pane windows that have received a high energy star rating. These products can assist you in reducing cooling and heating costs.
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. They can tell you the amount of money you will save, and quote the cost of a new system.
Energy Expenses
Write reminders for energy-efficient goals and check your utility bills. If you are more conscious of what your energy expenditures are, this could help to lower them. For instance, reducing your electricity or water usage will get you into the habit of turning off appliance and lights when not used.
Use e-mail over snail mail as much as possible. Eliminate as much paper from companies as you can. This helps businesses you deal with reduce their energy expenses, and it helps you reduce energy expenses, as well. Not only that, it is also great for the environment too.
Use LED lights on the holidays to save electricity. There are many studies from the U.S. to back this up. We could save at least a couple billion kilowatt hours if each person would make this change. That amount of electricity could power 200,000 homes for an entire year. But for your own part, this is a great way to cut that power bill down.
Keep your heat on at a moderate level. Don’t increase it unless it is a necessity. If it’s chilly, put on warmer clothes. Having your heat turned up too high will consume a great deal of unnecessary energy.
Heat your home with biofuels. Biofuels contain wood, oil and fat. If you have a propane furnace, you may be able to have a professional retrofit your furnace to work with biofuel blend. This could be anywhere up to 99% of biodiesel. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
Watch your watt usage. Choose an energy monitor like the Kill-A-Watt or the Watt Minder to help you determine which devices and appliances consume the most energy. By plugging any device into this gadget, it will tell you how much energy it consumes. This can show what your appliance is costing you.
Proper weatherization is a great way to make your home much more energy efficient, even if you are on a budget. Weatherizing your home by installing energy efficient windows and adding insulation will have a profound effect on your heating bills. This will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, thereby, saving you money on your utility bills.
Another great idea would be to use bio-fuels for house heating. This type of fuel is usually made with a combination of animal fat, vegetable oil and wood. If your existing furnace runs on propane, it is quite easy for a professional to make the alterations required so it can perform as efficiently using a fuel blend. This would be about 20-99 percent biodiesel. Schedule a consultation with a professional prior to making the switch to biofuels in your home.
Heat each room separately to save money on heat. Get yourself a floor heating system that has one main board that lets you review all areas, and choose specific temperatures for each one. Choose this type of solution if you own a large home.
Adopting green energies should not bust your wallet wide open. Often, making a few changes to your home can actually save money in electricity costs. Remember these tips and share them to see improvements in the environment!
Checking seals in fridges and ovens are good ways to keep from wasting energy. 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. Put a piece of paper in the door: if it slides out easily, you need to replace your seal.
