Use wind, water or sun power to create energy and you can reduce your home energy costs in the process. People who want to have a greener home, should continue reading this article.
Solar Panels
You can easily get solar panels installed in your home to collect solar energy for your use. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. A major factor in choosing if you can use a solar system is the amount of sunlight your home receives on average. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.
Are you living on a farm? If you or someone you know does, you can rent a piece of your land to a company looking to put in a wind turbine. You could take advantage of the energy offered and the space requirements are minimal.
Try to use cold water for washing clothes. The majority of energy use from washing clothes is in the heating of the water. Just make sure you don’t harm your clothes in the process; check out the labels on your clothes and make a judgment for yourself. Be sure to always do a full load of clothes when you wash.
Cover your windows if you’re not going to be home. The result will be a cooler house because the window’s admit less heat. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.
If you are aiming to save energy and money, try running the dishwasher only when the load is completely full. It’s sacrilege to turn it on with just one or two dishes inside. The amount of dishes that can be placed in a washer is astounding. Just make sure to align the dishes in an orderly manner to maximize the available space.
When you are not using something, turn it off. Any rooms in the home that are vacant should not have any electronics or lights left on. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s completely full. No matter how many dishes you have in there, it still uses the same level of energy. Using the air-dry setting will save energy when you run the dishwasher.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a great way to get hot water at a low cost. Consider investing in a hot-water system that runs off of solar energy. Indirect or direct circulation systems are both available. Indirect systems are the best if you have frozen pipes during the winter.
Plan out and calculate your energy consumption rates for your home solar system for the winter months so that you know what you can consumer on a daily basis. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises during the winter months, while leaving you safely ahead of your needs during the summer. If your electric company bills on net usage, you will actually make money because yu generate more power than you consume.
Electric heaters are an energy hog and should be avoided as much as possible in the winter. They are not environmentally friendly. Instead, wear multiple layers, slippers and socks, or even consider investing in a stove or fireplace. This is good for your health as well as your electric bill. Breathing cooler air at night helps keep your respiratory system healthy; you’ll avoid drying out your airways.
Buy energy saving materials to help save energy in your home. Certain green products, like double glazed windows, eco-friendly doors and windows really help reduce the amount of energy needed to run your home efficiently. This type of product is perfect for reducing AC costs.
Create written reminders of your goals regarding energy efficiency, and compare your utility bills to those of the previous year to determine whether you are making positive steps. Simply being more conscious of your energy expenditures can help you to significantly reduce them. For instance, reducing your electricity or water usage will get you into the habit of turning off appliance and lights when not used.
By starting now with green energy technology, it means greater savings for you and healthier planet in the future. As this article demonstrates, going green is not all that complicated or expensive. Put the good advice you have read here today to work in creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly home today.