You might have overheard someone talking about the benefits of upgrading your home with various things to save energy and money. There are some good reasons for going green and decreasing your impact on the environment. Read this article for tips on using solar panels and other green alternatives.
Solar water heating is a great way to decrease the expense of heating water used for showers and swimming pools. Using gas or electricity to heat water isn’t efficient. However, solar water heaters use the sun to make water comfortable and reduce energy consumption. While a few of the upgrades are costlier up front, they might be eligible for tax deductions or green energy tax credits.
Make your home more energy efficient by unplugging your unused electronic devices. Anytime a charger is plugged in, it is using a bit of energy.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. A lot of existing systems can change to some bio-diesel utilization without modifications or using any extra parts. Biodiesel burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional petroleum, reducing your home’s environmental impact during the winter.
Be sure to cover your windows with drapes or blinds when not at home. This helps to keep your house at a cooler temperature and lower the amount of energy used. More often than not, south-facing windows will let in the most sun due to their positioning. Dark drapes, or even energy-efficient lined drapes, are your best bet.
Research the different energy sources available in your community. Compare costs and look up regulations on green energy and tax incentives. It can benefit you to use natural gas instead of electricity, for example.
Instead of using the dryer, dry your laundry outdoors when weather permits. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. Sun-drying clothes gives them a fresh smell. Additionally, you will see a noticeable decrease in your utility bills.
Consider how many hours of sunlight you can expect in the winter as you plan your solar system, so that you know how much energy you can expect it to generate. This way, you aren’t beyond your capacity in the winter, and you have plenty of excess power in the summer. Combining this method with a net utilities plan will mean getting back money from the electric company during the summer, too.
Make sure your refrigerator is properly maintained. With the fridge being a top energy consumer in the home, maintenance is important for efficiency. Be sure to regularly clean out the dust around the heating coils. In addition, be sure your door seal is tight and clean.
Storm Doors
If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Energy efficiency improves by 45% when storm doors and windows are implemented, which are big energy savers.
Take advantage of any federal or local rebates that you may be entitled to receive. Local utility companies often offer rebates for upgrades. Other companies may offer tax deductions from your local or federal government. These tax savings can reduce the net cost of installing alternative energy technology considerably.
Try receiving as much messaging as you can via email. Try to use paper as little as possible. You help both you and other businesses you communicate with save resources and energy. This benefits everyone in society along with your own business.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. You can make these with simple items, such as boxes, an old window, and some foil for reflection. These ovens can reach temperatures of over 300 degrees, and use no outside energy other than the sun. They can be made in minutes.
There is a lot you can do if you want to save energy. Even though you may not have too much money, there are little things you can do, such as lowering your heat to 60 when you aren’t home and cleaning your furnace filters monthly. Reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees could save you a lot of money as well. Every little thing you do helps!
Solar Panels
As you can probably see, solar panels can provide many benefits, including energy and cost savings. They are easy to install and purchase, and could last for a long time. Having solar panels installed is a good way to go green, it is a good way to update your home as well.
