There’s an abundance of information available relating to green energy, so it’s tough to know where to look and what to trust. Read on to learn the basics of green energy technologies and which ones will work for you in your home.
Wear natural fabrics instead of running your air conditioner during summer months. Fabrics such as cotton draw moisture from the skin, which allows you to stay much cooler. Lighter colored fabrics will help you stay cooler without needing to turn on the air conditioner.
You can reduce the amount of electricity that you use, and be a better energy user by removing chargers that power your devices from outlets when they are not in use. Whether you are charging your device or not, chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cellphones and other electronics keep drawing electrical power as long as they stay plugged in.
Do things like wash your clothes inside some cold water, if you can. Nearly 90% of the energy that is consumed when you wash your clothes is taken up heating the water. As long as your detergent is good, cold water washing can be just as effective as warm water. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to put in the washer.
Solar power can heat water for a low cost. Consider a solar water heater. You may pick between a direct or indirect circulation system. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
Storm Windows
Storm doors and windows can make air flow in the home better. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.
Look for rebates at the local and federal levels for updating your home to renewable energy sources. 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. These offers make installing and using a green energy system much more affordable.
Keep up with your watt usage. If you do not know the formula to figure out the energy each appliance uses, there are tools like a Kill-A-Watt that can give you the information instantly. If you attach the device to the appliances in your home, it will let you know how much energy that appliance uses for different lengths of time. This lets you know how much it costs to operate an appliance.
Although there is much information out there about how to go green, the tips here are a great place to start. There are many affordable and simple changes you can incorporate in your own life and home to help you take advantage of all the green energy out there today. The environment and your wallet will both thank you for making these small changes.
