Many people want to have a greener life but are unsure how to start. There are a wide variety of alternative energy solutions that are perfect for consumers to do their part. Keep reading to find out how you can do your part and make the right choices.
When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. Solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and can save you a great deal on wiring and electricity expenses. This saves a lot of energy! This saves you money, and it also means you don’t need to wire the outdoor lights.
Switch to a solar water heater to heat your pools, showers, hot tubs and kitchen faucets to save money. When you heat water with natural gas or electricity, it isn’t as efficient as using a solar alternative. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.
One way to conserve energy is to make sure your windows aren’t exposed to direct sunlight. Use curtains or blinds as an alternative. If you do these things, you will cut your use of air conditioning throughout the warm months, as your home will be a bit cooler. In addition to conserving energy, you will be able to save money.
Do your research when it comes to the available energy sources where you live. Compare the costs of operating your home using several of these utilities, making sure to take into consideration any legislation with regard to energy costs that has recently been passed. It might be good to switch to natural gas or well water, as an example.
Instead of using the dryer, dry your laundry outdoors when weather permits. Hanging your clothes outside to dry in the sun will give your clothes an incredible fresh smell. They will smell fresher than if you used the dryer. This will save you a ton on your utility bills, leaving you extra money to turn your air conditioning on instead.
Solar Power
If you are interested in solar power learn about the difference between active and passive power. Active power is the power stored for later use and passive doesn’t require pricey cells for storing power. Active power will require a large installation process and can cost a great deal more. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. Certain green items, such as eco-friendly windows and doors and double glazed windows, cut down on energy you need to keep your home going efficiently. Your heat and cooling costs can drop dramatically by using these products.
Opt for emails over paper whenever possible; get on no-mail lists for catalogs and junk mail. Basically, this means using as little paper as possible. This will not only help businesses lower their energy costs, but you as well. As you can see, going paperless helps the environment in many ways.
If you are trying to achieve a greener lifestyle, there are many options for you. 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. Keep the water heater temperature around 120 degrees and save energy costs. Any little effort helps!
Replace your traditional holiday lights with strings of LED’s. According to a U.S. study. A study by the Department of Energy needs everyone to make this change. This electricity could power more than 200,000 houses for a year. At a minimum, you will lower your energy bill.
When you are shopping for items made of wood, consider things made from bamboo. Bamboo is technically grass and is a “green product”, but it is often much stronger than other available woods. It grows quickly and can be used and sold for a variety of purposes, from cutting boards to flooring. This saves energy when it comes to the production and recycling of manufacturing products.
Green electronics may seem expensive in the beginning; however, the amount of energy saved will pay off over the life of the equipment. Green technologies cost a little more initially, but you will save money on your utility bills, making them a wise investment. It is also going to ultimately pay off for the environment.
You might want to consider installing automatic light sensors that include motion detection in the rooms that have the most traffic. The sensors will make sure that there is no light in rooms that aren’t being used, and that will save energy and a great deal of money! Remember the lighting outside, too.
Don’t stop using ceiling fans in the winter. Switch them to rotate in a clockwise position, which pushes warm air back down where you need it, and reduces your overall heating needs. It takes less energy to power the fan than it does your furnace.
You can shave a significant amount from your utility bills by installing a programmable thermostat. With their pre-programmed settings, these thermostats are capable of regulating the temperature within your home during both the winter and summer months. They can also be set differently depending on whether it is day or night.
Green Energy
As shown in this article, green energy is not only cost efficient, but also environmentally friendly. With the correct information, it is a lot easier to start incorporating green energy options into your life. Use the advice you just read to raise your awareness of green energy right now.
