You probably know some of the advantages of using solar panels to save energy in your home. There are some good reasons for going green and decreasing your impact on the environment. Read on to learn where to buy solar panels and why you should do so.
Government grants help customers purchase these eco-friendly technologies. Talk to your local government and figure out what programs are in the area. 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.
Start paying attention to your energy consumption. Unplug the charger for your iPod and XBox 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.
Find out what energy options your community has available. Check the cost of running your home using these utilities, taking into consideration any recent legislation regarding energy costs. You may find that natural gas will be better for your home than electric, or that well water is an available alternative to city water.
Never run a dishwasher that is partly empty. You will use just as much water and energy to run a half-empty dishwasher as a full one. When you do run the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which will allow your dishes to air-dry.
Solar energy is a great way to get hot water at a low cost. Consider a solar water heater. You can choose from a direct circulation system or an indirect one. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
Storm Windows
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.
Convert your home into a more efficient place by investing into energy saving products. If you install double-glazing on your windows, weather-sealed doors, and other similar products, you can drastically decrease the amount of electricity needed for your home. If you use these products extensively, you will see quite a bit of savings on your energy bills.
Try not to turn the heat up too high in your home, unless it is absolutely necessary for you to do so. Wear sweatpants and a sweater if you are chilly. When your heat is turned to a higher temperature, unnecessary energy is being used too much.
There is a lot you can do if you want to save energy. You might not have the money to invest in a solar panel array, but you can commit to cleaning your furnace filters once per month and setting your thermostat to 60 degrees while you are out. Reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees could save you a lot of money as well. Any little effort helps!
Write reminders for energy-efficient goals and check your utility bills. Simply being more conscious of your energy expenditures can help you to significantly reduce them. For example, if you make a conscious effort to cut down on your water or electricity usage, then you are more likely to make a habit out of shutting off unused lights or appliances.
A good energy saving tip at home when cooking is to always use a microwave when possible. Whenever you use your stove or oven, you use a significant amount of energy. Whenever possible, heat things in the microwave to cut energy costs.
An often-repeated, yet useful tip for anyone who wants to start saving energy today, is to flip off the light when they leave the room. It’s surprising how much energy is conserved after turning the lights off. You will also save on your electric bill.
Consider changing out a standard toilet for one that is built to save water. Some estimates show that up to half of all the water used in your home is flushed right down the toilet hole. With the older model of toilets, the amount of water consumed each time they are flushed is 5 gallons; however, the newer, water-saving models consume only 1.6 gallons per flush, which will yield a saving of approximately 70 percent in your annual water consumption.
An on-demand heater for water is a smart device for green energy. Traditional water heaters are always on and heating unused water, which is a tremendous waste of energy. A on-demand water heater will only heat your water when you need it, which saves a ton of money and energy.
Many people forget to turn off machines and lights that they aren’t using, even though it seems obvious. By doing this on a daily basis, a person’s energy bill can be greatly reduced. Raise your consciousness about your electricity use in order to save electricity and money. Don’t leave appliances or lights on that nobody is using.
Remember that buying green technology is an investment that will pay off later. Usually, technologies that are green cost more than regular technologies, but in the long run this will pay off in the form of reduced utility costs. This will pay off for the environment, too.
Reducing your thermostat to 60 degrees when the house is vacant will save you more energy than you may think. This setting effectively reduces your energy use while not allowing the temperature to vary too far away from the human comfort level. The resulting effect is energy usage cuts and money saved.
As you could see, solar panels have a lot of desirable benefits when it comes to home owners, aside from saving energy. They’re easy to buy, install, and are durable also. Making use of green energy in your home lets you be more environmentally friendly while updating your home.
