Use wind, water or sun power to create energy and you can reduce your home energy costs in the process. If you are a heavy energy user due to the amount of technology used within the home, then these tips will show you how you can reduce your costs while continuing to enjoy the gadgets you love.
By cutting back on electricity use, you will save quite a bit of money. Unplug alliances when they are not being used. Be diligent about switching off the television or lighting if you aren’t using them. This is an easy way to save cash as well.
Solar powered outdoor lighting is a wonderful enhancement to your outdoor living areas. They are inexpensive and don’t require electricity. They also save energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.
Unplug your chargers when they aren’t being used to charge your devices. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.
Try solar water heaters instead of traditional ones. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are unlikely, you can purchase systems that circulate water through solar heating systems before pumping it inside for use. However, you should still have a traditional water heater as backup for times when the sun won’t come out or if you’re going to be using a lot of hot water.
Dry clothes on a clothelines during the summer. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. They will smell better than anything coming out of a dryer. As well, you save quite a bit on monthly utility costs.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, refrain from doing a load until the dishwasher is completely full of dishes. Dishwashers do not allow for minimizing water or power consumption. It is the same, full or not. Also, use your dishwasher’s energy-saver setting so that the load will air-dry.
If you’d like to cut down your hot water bill, look into using solar energy. Purchase a solar water heating system. It is possible to chose between direct and indirect circulation systems. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.
Tankless Heaters
Replace your tank-style water heater with a green, tankless model. Tankless heaters require less energy to heat water, as they only heat it as needed. You can find tankless heaters that either supply an entire house, or just a single faucet.
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Passive power is used immediately and is cheaper, but active power has the ability to store energy for later use. In order to use active power, you will need to install a few things, including solar cells, mechanical systems, and most importantly, solar panels. Passive energy is about using windows and insulation to keep your home warm and well-lit.
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. Local utility companies often offer rebates for upgrades. You may also qualify for tax credits or deductions from your state or from the federal government. These tax savings can reduce the net cost of installing alternative energy technology considerably.
Hire professionals to talk to you about installing new systems. These professionals can point out inefficient appliances and systems, and they can also help you determine how much it might cost to upgrade them.
Have your friends and business associates contact you via email rather than snail mail. This will help you use less paper and help the planet. Reducing your consumption of paper saves energy on production costs, along with the costs of shredding documents in your home. That helps the environment for everybody.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. Try using gadgets like the Kill-A-Watt and the Watt Minder to see what in your home uses too much energy. When you plug an electrical appliance into the monitor, it displays how much energy it requires each hour, month, or year. This is helpful in showing you exactly what each appliance costs to run.
A really good energy saving tip is to change your boiler. Most oil boilers weren’t made to consider saving energy, whereas new boilers are made to be a lot more energy efficient. Newer boilers produce far less carbon dioxide and reduce energy bills.
One way to use less energy in the kitchen is to use a microwave oven. The stove uses a good bit of energy. So when you can “nuke” your food, do so to cut down on energy usage.
One of the oldest tips in the book is to make sure that you turn off all electronics and lights when you leave any room to save energy. It’s surprising how much energy is conserved after turning the lights off. There’s also the extra benefit of having a lower electric bill.
Try a water-saving commode in your bathroom. Estimates show that 50% of water used in a home is to flush the toilet. An older model toilet uses a lot more water than a water-saving one, 5 gallons versus 1.6 gallons, almost 70 percent more.
Water heaters with on-demand technology exist today, and they are a great way to use green energy. Old fashioned water heaters would constantly run, heating water even when it is not needed, and therefore wasting energy. Using an on-demand water heater is a great way to save both energy and money.
Environmentally Friendly
By developing good, environmentally friendly habits, you can start saving money now. As you’ve read, it doesn’t take a lot of work or money to make your life greener. Take advantage of what you’ve learned, and strive to make your life more environmentally friendly.
