Cutting back on your electricity usage is probably a lot easier than you may have thought. You can decrease your carbon footprint by implementing a few changes, big or small, that will help you save money in the long term. Get some ideas of where to start from the article below.
Using less electricity saves a lot of money and energy. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Be diligent about switching off the television or lighting if you aren’t using them. These easy ideas will help you save a lot of money over time.
There are many government incentive programs you can take advantage of when it comes to green energy. If you are interested in getting free money to improve your home you should contact your local government for more information. 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.
Think about heating your water with solar water heaters. Using a solar water heater to warm your water with the energy of the sun works to save money and energy. However, consider that you may still need a traditional heater if you will be using a great deal of hot water, or if the sun does not come out for some time.
During summer, try drying clothes on a clothesline instead of the dryer. The sun gives your clothes a great smell. They will smell fresher than if you used the dryer. Additionally, you will have substantial savings on your utility bills every month that you dry clothes outside.
Hot water can be obtained in a low cost, environmentally friendly manner through solar energy. Buy a hot-water system that is solar-powered. Indirect or direct circulation systems are both available. The indirect system is a a great thing to have and you do not have to think about having frozen pipes during the winter.
Winter Months
If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises during the winter months, while leaving you safely ahead of your needs during the summer. If you generate excess energy during the summer, with the right plan, your utility company will send you a check!
The batteries should be located near the solar energy cells when the system is being set up. This helps prevent power loss in the cables. It will also minimize the possibility of a cable shading out the cells and lowering their generation capability.
Take time out to properly inspect your refrigerator. Refrigerators use a large amount of electricity, and keeping it in good condition ensures this energy footprint is as low as it can be. It is important to wipe off the dust from heating coils on a regular basis. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
If you want to live greener and have a greener home, avoid running electric heaters during the winter. Buy more warm clothing and use a fireplace to add heat to your home. This is good for your health as well as your electric bill. Breathing cooler air at night helps keep your respiratory system healthy; you’ll avoid drying out your airways.
Active Power
Do some research and learn about passive and active solar powers. While active power requires storage cells, passive power doesn’t. Active power is about using solar panels, cells and other installations. Passive solar power, on the other hand, just draws heat from the sun and stores it in your walls for heating purposes.
A solar oven can be made to assist you in your baking needs. You can make one from an old window, cardboard box, and tin foil. Solar ovens can get hotter than 300 degrees, and doesn’t use any energy source besides the sun, so you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
Use LED lights on your Christmas tree or when decorating your home for Christmas. A U.S. Department of Energy study shows that people waste a lot of energy on traditional Christmas lights. One study conducted by the Department of Energy found that if everyone in the U.S. switched to these lights, more than two billion kilowatt hours worth of power would be saved. This amount of electricity would provide power for 200,000 homes for a year. At least you will be saving money on your power bill.
Use the ideas laid out here and apply them to your daily home life. You will be saving the environment and reducing your bills at the same time. By striving to use green energy, you will help protect our environment.
