Protecting our environment is one of the most important things we, as human beings, can do. Green energy like wind or solar power can benefit the environment in many ways! So, what can you do to make your own life more green? Read on and learn more.
When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. This saves you a lot of energy. It will also save you money by not having to wire the outdoor lights to your home.
Stay Cooler
Wear natural fabrics instead of using the air conditioning in the summer. Cotton and other natural fibers, draw the moisture away from your skin, and allow you to stay cooler. Lighter colored fabrics will help you stay cooler without needing to turn on the air conditioner.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. You should definitely consider how much sun your home is exposed to. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.
Maintain your furnace to save energy. Replace filters annually and clean them once a month. It is also a good idea to install filters on warm-air registers. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.
When determining the economical impact of a PV solar system, be sure to run a calculation using the hours of winter sunlight. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. However, you should also include any refunds you will get from your utility company for excess energy generated in summer!
Storm Doors
To help prevent drafts, install storm doors and storm windows. Storm doors and windows stop drafts from letting in so much cold air. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.
Replace a water heater that is tank-style, with a model that is green and has no tank. Instead of keeping a whole tank of water hot at all times, tankless models only heat the water you are actually going to use. There are tankless heaters designed to not only provide one area with hot water, but also to heat entire houses.
If you’d like to be more environmentally friendly and cut down on your energy costs, try wearing warmer clothing. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so dress warmly and save money!
It is more important than ever to increase our use of green energy. It may be true that all power sources impact the environment somehow, but it’s possible to minimize that impact with green energy. Now that you have some tips to work with, you know how to be a little greener.
