Using the sun, water or wind to create energy helps the environment, as well as the cost of energy in your home. If you’d like to make the energy that you use to power your house’s technology a little bit greener, just keep on reading. You’ll find some excellent suggestions on how you can get started.
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. Unplug appliances that are not being used. Turn off your TV and lights once you leave a room. This is an excellent way of saving yourself some money.
When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. These lamps are very cheap, as they require no external power source, just the sun. They also save energy. It will also mean you can avoid installing underground wiring.
When battery chargers and other electronics are not in use, unplug them. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw “phantom power” if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. If you use warm or hot water in your washing machine, almost 90% of your energy use goes towards heating the water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Furthermore, bear in mind that you will get maximum efficiency from washing a load that is full, rather then multiple small loads.
Solar water heaters are an inexpensive and efficient way to heat your home’s water. Best for locations with a warmer climate, a solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water that circulates through it. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.
Don’t leave appliances that aren’t in use, on. Upon leaving a room, turn off such things as the lights, computer, television or entertainment center. Use a power strip for your home electronics, and turn it off when you aren’t using the equipment. If something is left in standby mode, it is still wasting power.
If you prefer to use your dishwasher to wash your dishes, only run it when it is full to capacity. A half load uses the exact same amount of water and energy as a full one. When it is time to do a load of dishes, use the dishwasher’s energy-saving mode. This makes it so that the dishes air-dry rather than being dried by heat.
Getting green energy means both money saving and a healthier planet. As you have seen, it does not take a great deal of effort to go green, so start using the tips from this article to make your home more sustainable and efficient.
