Today we understand how much of a role each and every one of us plays in helping the environment become a more sustainable place to live in. Using green energy at home is a great way to save both the environment and your hard-earned money at the same time. In this article, you will find a few ways to use green energy in your own home.
There are government grants available for investing in renewable energy. Check out your local government so that you can see what type of programs are available in your area. You could qualify for a no-cost wind or solar installation, or at the very least, receive a tax deduction.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. It is also a good idea to install filters on warm-air registers. This stops debris from blocking heating ducts.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This will keep the house cool and reduce energy costs. South-facing windows get maximum sun. Dark, lined curtains, roman shades or roller shades may be something to consider using on your windows.
Find out more about the different energy solutions in your community. Find out what the cost of using these utilities to run your home would be. For example, you might see a savings if you switch from electricity to natural gas, or even switch from electricity to solar or wind power.
On hot, summer days, hang your clothes outside. The sun will dry your clothing for free and the summer breeze will leave it smelling amazing. Sun-drying clothes gives them a fresh smell. You will also save on your utilities bills by line drying your laundry.
Air flow is controlled best in homes with storm windows and doors. Storm doors and windows stop drafts from letting in so much cold air. When homes have windows and doors that are stormed, 45 percent less energy is used, which can decrease electric bills.
Do some research and learn about passive and active solar powers. Passive solar power doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power, although active is stored for later use. In order to use active power, you will need to install a few things, including solar cells, mechanical systems, and most importantly, solar panels. Passive power uses the sun for thermal energy in the home.
Unless you’re freezing to death, don’t turn the heat all the way up. Put on a sweater and sweatpants when it’s cold. When your heat is running it uses more energy than necessary.
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. These ovens can be quickly assembled, and reach 300 degrees in temperature simply using the sun.
Keep track of how many watts you’re using. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from. Plug these gadgets into an appliance to find out how much energy is used in an hour, a month or a year. This is helpful in showing you exactly what each appliance costs to run.
If you want to “go green” and do your part to help save the environment, you have a lot of options. You do not have to spend money to help, but you can clean your furnace filters once each month and set your heat to 60 degrees if you are not home. Lowering the temperature of your water heater can save energy as well. Little things like this add up!
Use LED lights on your Christmas tree or when decorating your home for Christmas. A study conducted by the United States If everyone were to switch to LED lights, the country as a whole would save 2 billion kwh per year. That amount of power could run 200,000 homes for one full year. Your holiday power bill will be smaller too!
As you can see, there are many ways to lessen your carbon footprint by making practical changes in the energy efficiency of your home. If all you consider is your own financial gain, you still might find that these options are worth investigating!
