You, as well as many other people, may not really think too much about the environment when you’re using all of your household electronic items. Surprisingly enough, everything in your home impacts the environment in some way. There are many simple ways to make your home more energy efficient and thereby have a positive impact on the planet. This article has some great “green” tips.
Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Traditional gas and electricity are not that efficient, but solar-powered water heaters glean the sun’s natural energy to maintain even temperatures. Although some of these systems cost more initially, many qualify for tax credits or deductions.
The government has set up several incentive programs to help consumers switch to renewable energy sources. To find out which programs are available in your area contact your local government. You may be eligible for free wind or solar installation, or at the very least be allowed to deduct your costs when you do your taxes.
Maintain your furnace to save energy. Replace filters annually and clean them once a month. You should also install filters on any warm-air registers included with your furnace. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.
Try solar water heaters instead of traditional ones. If you live where freezing temperatures aren’t prevalent, you can purchase a system that can circulate water via a solar heater prior to being pumped to your home. Don’t get rid of your conventional water heater though; you may need it if it’s cloudy when you’re ready to use hot water.
Wait until your dishwasher is full before running it if you want to save energy. Never run it with just a few dishes inside. You’ll be surprised at how many dishes a dishwasher can load. When loading the dishwasher, align the dishes in a way that allows you to fit the maximum number of items inside.
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. When you leave a room, shut off the lights, TV, computer, game systems, etc. 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.
Green Energy
Watch for state and federal tax incentives for upgrading your home to use renewable energy sources. In many cases, the electric company will pay for part of the upgrades. Also look into tax deductions offered by the government that may apply to your green energy technology. These offers make installing and using a green energy system much more affordable.
Use LED lights to decorate for the holidays instead of traditional strand lights. Research was performed by the United States. The Department of Energy show that 2,000,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity could be saved if all Americans switched to LED lights. This amount of electricity would provide power for 200,000 homes for a year. An additional benefit to using LED lights is the savings you will receive on your electric bill.
Carpooling is a great way to save energy for transportation needs, even if your trip is to the mall or an after-school event. If your kids share activities with other children in the neighborhood, there’s no reason not to carpool to them. If you are located close to other families, agree to do your grocery shopping at the same time and rotate who drives each week.
Energy Star
Energy Star rated appliances should be used in the home. If you buy an Energy Star-rated appliance, it is guaranteed to use far less energy than the one it replaced. Refrigerators and freezers use about 20 percent less energy, while the energy that washing machines use is cut in half.
Make use of the microwave when possible to cut down on energy usage. The stove uses a good bit of energy. Microwaves have a bed reputation because they tend to produce lackluster food and emit radiation, but the fact of the matter is that making use of them can greatly reduce your energy costs.
If considering environmental impact of energy use is new to you, you should know that you have lots of company. Change this! Learn about green energy today. If you apply the tips laid out here, you will be able to use more green energy and leave a positive impression on the environment as well.
