You can protect the environment, as well as saving on energy costs, by using green energy at home. It is not necessary to have an electric car in order to do this. Keep reading to find out how to make your household more energy efficient, no matter your budget.
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use. Also, remember to turn off lights when they are not needed. This may be a simple tip, but it does save you money.
If you want to preserve energy, keep your windows so they are shaded from sunlight. Installing blinds and curtains will also help. Both of these adjustments can help you cut back on using the air conditioner, since your house will remain cooler. You will save money and energy at the same time.
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Cotton and similar fabrics will draw moisture from your skin, so you will stay cool. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
You could easily have solar panels in your house to collect energy from the sun for you to use. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions. The number one to think about is the amount of sun your home gets. If you home is under a lot of shade, or in an area where you do not have a lot of sunny days, the power gained from your solar unit will not be very significant.
Are you a farm owner? If you have a farm or know the owner of a farm, you may be able to rent some land to a utility company for installing a wind turbine. The energy generated can benefit your entire area without taking up much room.
Whenever possible, you should use cold water to wash your clothes. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. As long as your detergent is good, cold water washing can be just as effective as warm water. Furthermore, bear in mind that you will get maximum efficiency from washing a load that is full, rather then multiple small loads.
Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not home. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. Generally, your home’s south-facing walls and windows receive the most sun exposure. Cover all of these windows with curtains, blinds or roller shades.
During the hot summer months, hang clothes outside rather than tossing them in the dryer. The sun will make your clothing smell great. They will smell a lot fresher than being dried in the drier. You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.
Using the sun to heat your water is very cost effective. Get a solar hot-water system. Two types are available, direct and indirect. The indirect one is your best option if you have to worry about frozen pipes in the winter.
If you aren’t sold on making a large green energy investment at home, then bring in a professional heating expert or plumber to take a look at your existing systems. They can give you estimates on how much energy you are wasting, as well as how much it costs to upgrade.
Switch as much of your correspondence as possible to email. In other words, choose paperless options anytime you can. Not only will the business save on the cost of paper, but you will be saving energy from the production of that paper as well. This also keeps the environment in better shape for everyone.
Don’t turn the thermostat up higher than needed in your home. If you are cold, put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt. When heat is turned very high, vast amounts of energy are wasted.
If you would like to save the environment, remember that it can be done in small steps as well as big ones. You might not be capable of spending lots of money in going green, but there are simple things that you could do such as cleaning your furnace’s filters each month or by setting your heat at sixty degrees when you are not at home. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. Just little changes can help.
Keep written track to remind yourself of your green energy goals, and look for progress in your energy consumption by comparing current bills to the previous year’s. By being aware of the energy you use, you can start to reduce that consumption. You will probably make newer, greener habits such as turning off appliances when not in use if you approach energy reduction consciously.
Carpool so you can use less fuel. Talk with other parents and try to arrange a carpool schedule so that you all take turns driving your kids to school. Join with friends and family to do grocery shopping, visit the mall or even go to the movies.
Try to resort to your microwave whenever possible. The stove and oven use a lot more energy to cook foods. Take advantage of the microwave when you can.
One easy, common sense tip to save energy is to shot off all the lights when you exit a room. Do this at all times. Get yourself into the habif of always turning lights off and you can save a lot of energy. Additionally, it decreases your electrical spending.
Energy Efficient
From switching to energy efficient bulbs to changing out your furnace’s filter, there are a number of simple ways you can make your home more energy efficient. Set an example for your family members, so more people will realize how easy it is to go green! Utilize the tips in this article and put them in place today.
