Most people are overwhelmed with an avalanche of green energy propaganda, making sorting through it a trial at best. It is hard to know what is the right choice for your energy needs. This article will give you important information that will help you start using green technology in your home today.
Solar panels can be installed on your roof allowing you to use solar energy. Before you do this, you should research just a few things first. A major factor in choosing if you can use a solar system is the amount of sunlight your home receives on average. If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
Wash clothes with cold water. If you use warm or hot water in your washing machine, almost 90% of your energy use goes towards heating the water. Washing your clothing in cold water will get them just as clean as washing them in hot water if you have a good laundry detergent. In addition, remember to wash full loads to maximize energy efficiency.
Rather than using a dryer, dry your clothes outside, as long as the weather permits. Your laundry will smell fantastic after a day in the sun. They’ll be smelling much fresher than if they were just dried in a dryer. Additionally, you will see a noticeable decrease in your utility bills.
When not being used, turn things off. Whenever you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off lights, televisions, and computers. Get a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at the same time, rather than letting energy get wasted in standby mode.
Don’t run your dishwasher if it is less than totally full. It makes use of a fixed amount of energy no matter the amount of dishes it has. Also ensure that it is set to air-dry if you are aiming to reduce your energy consumption.
A laptop is actually a great alternative for consuming less energy as opposed to using a desktop. You can save a ton of electricity by using a laptop. Both the Internet and most word processing software packages use a lot of energy on desktop computers, so getting a laptop can really save money if you use these features. Because laptops are portable, you can also enjoy the convenience of taking your computer anywhere.
Check and manage your watt usage. Gadgets like the Kill-A-Watt and Watt Minder can help you determine exactly which appliances account for the majority of your energy usage. Gadgets can be set to give you the energy-usage amounts for hours, months or years. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
When you cook at home, use a microwave as much as you can. Cooking food using the stove or the oven consumes a large amount of power. When you can cook food in your microwave, do it and cut down on your energy usage.
A good green energy technology tip is to use a water heater that is on-demand. Traditional water heaters run constantly, wasting energy because they heat water when it isn’t needed. These heaters only heat water when necessary, which will increase your energy savings.
Your electric company is probably eager to help you start saving energy today. Utility companies provide some powerful tools online to measure and control your electricity usage. Make sure you investigate all programs and rebates offered if you buy energy-efficient items, from large appliances to light bulbs.
If you can, try switching out your old windows for ones that are more energy-efficient. The benefits to new windows will be seen in lower energy bills, less outside noise, less carbon dioxide, and less condensation on the windows.
Prioritize your efforts to go green by moving light usage to the top of your list. During the months when sun is brightest, avoid using lights before a certain time of day. Make use of dimmers and sensors to minimize unnecessary light usage.
You can save energy while doing laundry, too. Use the correct setting to turn your dryer off once the laundry is dry. Use the high-spin speed to reduce moisture in clothes and thereby shorten drying time. Be sure that the dryer filters are clean and look for dryer vent blockages.
Even if it’s impossible to power your entire home with an alternative energy source, see if renewable energy can meet some of your energy needs. For instance, you can use panels that could be used to heat your home’s hot water.
Applying these ideas is a lot easier than sorting through all the tips available online. Not only are they very easy, but they are affordable changes that you can start making today. Both your family and the planet will benefit.
