People are often overwhelmed by the thought of all they’d have to do to have a greener home. It can be very tough to know which changes will make the biggest environmental impact. Read the following green energy tips to get a better idea of where to start.
Switch to solar heating systems for water to lower your cost of indoor water. Solar water heaters tap into the abundant and free energy offered by the sun. Water heated by other methods, like natural gas, propane, or electricity, is not an efficient method. While a few of the upgrades are costlier up front, they might be eligible for tax deductions or green energy tax credits.
Solar Panels
It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. However, before beginning this process, you need to realize a few things. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. If you’re in a shady area, or a place that doesn’t have many sunny days, you won’t be able to gain as much power.
Wash clothes with cold water, as much as you can. If you use warm or hot water in your washing machine, almost 90% of your energy use goes towards heating the water. Provided you are using the right laundry detergent, you will not see a cleanliness difference by washing in cold water. Additionally, it is more energy-efficient if you are washing full loads instead of small ones.
If you use fuel oil to heat your home, ask a professional if you can use biodiesel. You might even find that you can switch your system to partial biodiesel without having to purchase parts or hire a contractor to perform modifications. The bonus of doing this is a cleaner burning fuel that is generally also more efficient, and you’ll lessen your impact on the environment also.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. These help your home remain cool and keep your energy bill down when you are not there. Pay particular attention to covering the windows on the south side of your house. They typically admit the most sun. Dark, lined curtains, roman shades or roller shades may be something to consider using on your windows.
A good way to save money is to only turn on your dishwasher when you have a full load ready to go. Don’t run it with only two or three dishes inside. Once you learn how to properly fill a dishwasher, you will be amazed at the number of dishes that can be washed in one load. Think carefully about where you place each dish for optimal storage in the washer.
Turn off electrical items whenever you aren’t using them. Upon leaving a room, turn off such things as the lights, computer, television or entertainment center. Use power strips for home electronics. As well, turn this off when you’re not using your electronics. Products in standby mode still waste power.
When you have a solar energy system installed, ensure that the batteries that hold the power are situated in close proximity to the cells. By doing so, energy loss through the cable is reduced. The cable will also be less likely to shade the cells, something that can lessen their capability of generating energy.
Trade out your older, tank-style water heater for a tankless model that is more green. Tankless water heaters still require power to heat the water, but they heat only the water that you want to use, rather than heating a tank of water that you’re not always using. There are tankless heaters designed to not only provide one area with hot water, but also to heat entire houses.
Each home has a unique layout, and each has its own area. Because of these differences, not every home is well-suited for all types of green technology. Some work for all homes, while others work for only some. Find the tips that will work for your situation and then, utilize them in your home.
