Green energy is becoming more and more popular today. Proponents claim that it is the only way to go, and that you’ll save money and Mother Earth in tandem. Are they right? The following advice will help you figure out for yourself if green energy is the way of the future.
Consume energy more wisely by unplugging your device chargers when they are not in use. Chargers for cell phones, mp3 players, laptops and other devices draw some power when they are plugged in, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.
Do you have your own farm? If you do happen to own some farmland, try renting some of the land to a power company that specializes in wind energy solutions. Not only does it take up very little space, both you and the neighbors will greatly benefit from this free energy.
Use window treatments to shade the inside of your home when you aren’t home. This keeps the interior of your home cooler or warmer, depending on the season, and reduces your energy bill. Pay particular attention to covering the windows on the south side of your house. They typically admit the most sun. Dark drapes, or even energy-efficient lined drapes, are your best bet.
Make your home energy-efficient with products that conserve power. Double glazed windows as well as eco-friendly doors reduces energy usage in the home. Your heat and cooling costs can drop dramatically by using these products.
Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. Specifically, go paperless whenever you can. This will not only help businesses lower their energy costs, but you as well. You also help others by protecting the environment as well.
Solar Oven
A solar oven can be made to assist you in your baking needs. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.
Keep up with your watt usage. There are gadgets out there that will help show you what in your house is using the most energy. Look for brands like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt. All you need to do is plug the item in question into the device to find out how much energy it uses in an hour. This will make you realize what a given appliance costs you over the long run.
Another great idea would be to use bio-fuels for house heating. Biofuels are made out of a variety of things, including: oil, wood, and animal/vegetable fats. A propane furnace can be converted to use these types of fuels, or fuel blends. This way, you would have approximately 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Talk to a professional before you use these types of fuels so you can do it safely.
Try using a carpool if you want to reduce fuel consumption. IF you’ve got kids, create a carpool system with other parents in the neighborhood. Those who live close to friends or family can go grocery shopping together.
A good tip for saving energy is to change your boiler. Most older boilers weren’t made with energy conservation in mind, but newer ones are often fairly energy efficient. Not only can they shave money off your energy bill, but they benefit your health by releasing less carbon dioxide.
A good green energy tip while cooking at home is to use a microwave whenever you can. The stove uses a good bit of energy. If you can cook things in the microwave instead, do it! This will help save a lot of energy.
Add motion-detecting light sensors to the rooms in your house that you use most. These sensors will turn lights on and off automatically depending on if someone’s in the room, saving energy and money. Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.
To cut your energy use, set your heater to 60 degrees when away from home and while you sleep. At this temperature, your home will use as little energy as possible. This way, you are saving money and conserving energy.
Solar Panels
If you plan to create a greener home, put solar panels on the roof. The initial cost of installing solar panels may seem significant, but consider the long term saving when calculating the final cost. After your panel is installed, you can get solar energy for free and you could also sell a part of the power to electric companies.
You can actually save a lot of money for your home if you invest into a programmable thermostat, your energy bill will definitely feel the difference. The settings you can program into one of these devices help control the temperature of your house even if you aren’t around. They can also be programmed for different temperatures based on whether it’s night or day.
Being aware of the amount of lights that are used in the home can make a difference when embracing green energy. During the months when sun is brightest, avoid using lights before a certain time of day. Installing dimmers on your light switches is another great way to reduce the amount of energy in use.
Green Energy
Now that you have read this article, what are you thinking? Most would agree that using green energy is a great option. Keep these tips in mind to improve your life. Start today, and you will discover the joys of contributing to the environment through using green energy.
