Using water, wind, and sun to produce energy can dramatically reduce the costs of running a home, and creates great results in the environment, as well. If you’re interested in green energy for your house, keep reading so you can learn how to get it done today.
If you’re designing any kind of outdoor lighting, you may want to think about installing solar-powered lamps. Solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and can save you a great deal on wiring and electricity expenses. Not only does this save energy. It also means you don’t need hard wired outdoor lights.
Solar water heating is a great way to decrease the expense of heating water used for showers and swimming pools. This is also a very efficient way to heat water and keep it at the proper temperature. Even though these upgrades can involve considerable expense, some of them might qualify as green energy tax savings.
When it’s hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Cotton and similar fabrics will draw moisture from your skin, so you will stay cool. Also, choose lighter color clothing, which reflects the sun rather than absorbs its heat.
The U.S. Government makes grant funds available as an incentive for consumers to start using green energy. Contact local government and discover the programs that exist locally. Who knows, you may qualify for low or no-cost wind or solar installation. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still use these items as a tax deduction.
You can save electricity by unplugging chargers when they are not in use. Chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cell phones and other devices use power when they’re plugged in. This happens regardless of whether you’re using the device or not.
Power Strip
Don’t leave appliances that aren’t in use, on. So, make sure you turn things off like the computer, TV, or lights when you leave a room. The easiest way to do this is to plug everything into a power strip and then just switch that power strip to the off position whenever you need to.
When putting in a new solar energy system, the batteries that store the power should be kept really close together to the cells. This helps to prevent any power loss in the cable. It can also lessen the probability of cable shading, which reduces power-generation capabilities.
You can get rid of your old, tank style water heater and switch it out with a new, greener, tankless one. Instead of keeping a whole tank of water hot at all times, tankless models only heat the water you are actually going to use. Tankless heaters can supply the entire home or certain faucets.
Don’t use your electric heater when you can avoid it. Ways to cut down on electricity include wearing warm clothing indoors and using a fireplace to heat your home. Cool air while sleeping is better for your breathing.
Active Solar
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power is power that is stored to be used for a later time, while passive power doesn’t require power storage cells. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. Passive power uses the sun for thermal energy in the home.
If you aren’t sold on making a large green energy investment at home, then bring in a professional heating expert or plumber to take a look at your existing systems. They will let you know how costly your appliances are, and they can give a detailed estimate on how much the costs will be to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
Watch how many watts you use. Try using gadgets like the Kill-A-Watt and the Watt Minder to see what in your home uses too much energy. Plug your appliances in to these devices to find out what amount of energy is required each year, month or hour to run it. This is helpful in showing you exactly what each appliance costs to run.
Not only does green energy save you money, but it’s gentler on earth as well. As stated in this article, going green doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
