It is a daunting thought when considering making a home-wide change to greener energy use. It can be awfully difficult to know where to begin and which changes are going to benefit you and the environment the best. The eco-friendly tips and techniques in this article can help you develop a green energy plan.
If you would like to reduce the cost of your hot water, use solar energy. Look into hot water systems that run by solar power. Indirect or direct circulation systems are both available. Indirect is the best choice if you have pipes which often freeze in the winter.
Don’t use your electric heater when you can avoid it. In order to do this, you need to do two things. First, buy the necessary clothing and slippers, to keep family members warm. Second, use a pellet stove or fireplace for heating. It is better to sleep in cooler air, it helps you breathe, and keeps your airways moist.
If you’d like to be more environmentally friendly and cut down on your energy costs, try wearing warmer clothing. A thin sweater will provide you with two degrees of additional heat, while a heavier item will add four. It’s not necessary to wear so little at home, so out on a sweatshirt and save some cash!
Active Solar Power
Take time to read about passive and active solar power. Passive solar systems are less expensive but cannot store energy like active solar systems do. Active solar power requires solar panels, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive energy is using the sun’s thermal energy to heat your house.
Rather than using an energy-hogging desktop computer, switch to a laptop. You will find yourself shaving 75 percent off of the amount of electricity used for computer usage, especially if you go on the internet often. You can also bring your computer anywhere if you have a laptop.
Check your utility bills against previous years’ bills to see how you’re doing in your efforts to go green. You should also write down your goals for energy efficiency and reminders to help you stay on track. Be more conscious of energy usage so you can reduce it. For instance, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, it’s more likely that you will also try to use appliances and lights less often.
While it is an old idea on saving energy, it is a great idea to make it a habit to turn off the lights when you exit a room or your home. Shutting off your lights when you leave a room is a simple act, but it will surprise you by the amount of energy it saves. Additionally, it decreases your electrical spending.
Do not forget to turn off anything you do not use, including lights, appliances and electronics. If a person put this practice into action, he or she would save a huge amount on the electric bill. Consider the possible impacts on your own bills and be sure to shut off lights and gadgets when not in use.
When purchasing anything made from wood, look for bamboo options. Bamboo serves as a green replacement for wood. Though it is a grass, it has much more strength and durability than many commercial woods. Because it is fast-growing, bamboo resources are easier to replenish than slow-growing trees. This saves energy when it comes to the production and recycling of manufacturing products.
Eventually, it will pay off to get green appliances and electronics. Energy savings, coupled with monetary savings, will make the investment worthwhile over the longer term. These electronics will also be beneficial to the environment in the future.
For room that are heavily occupied, add motion detecting light sensors. They will turn off lights when people aren’t in the room. Remember to do the same thing with the lighting over your garage, as well!
60 Degrees
A good way to save on energy is to set your heat to 60 degrees while you aren’t home, or at night when you’re asleep. Setting the thermostat to 60 degrees will help cut energy usage. This results in saving money and energy.
Installing a programmable thermostat can save you a lot of cash on your utility bills. These thermostats have pre-programmed settings that regulate temperatures in your home in both summer and winter months. Most importantly, you can use them to cut back on the energy you use at night or while you are away.
The laundry room is a great place to cut energy usage. For example use the moisture sensor on your dryer; once the laundry is dry the dryer will automatically shut off. High-spin speeds reduce moisture and shorten drying time. Be certain that you use clean filters for your dryer and also check for a blockage in dryer vents.
Homes have different layouts and will have different areas that can use green technology. These differences can tend to cause some green technologies to not be available and to not work in certain places. While some might be effective choices in every home, others will not. When you see tips that fit your current scenario, make use of them wisely.
