A great way to make sure the environment is protected, while slashing energy costs, is to use green energy in your home. You don’t have to buy an electric car to make this happen! Read on for tips on how to make your house energy-efficient.
Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. These inexpensive lamps require no external power source and can run entirely on solar power. This not only reduces energy costs, It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.
Olored Clothing
Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
The U.S. Government makes grant funds available as an incentive for consumers to start using green energy. If you are interested in getting free money to improve your home you should contact your local government for more information. You may qualify for wind or solar installation with little cost, or possibly you may be able to use it as deduction on your taxes.
Check whether your furnace filters need to be replaced each month. Make sure that you actually replace these filters at least once each year. It’s a good call to add filters to warm air registers. Doing so will prevent debris in heating ducts and it reduces energy.
Look for rebates at the local and federal levels for updating your home to renewable energy sources. Ask your utility company if they offer rebates for green energy upgrades. If not, there might be tax credits or deductions available from the federal or state government. The combination of rebates and tax credits will make it much more affordable to install green energy systems.
Perhaps you are intimidated by making an large, green energy investment. Seeking the input of a professional, such as a heating/cooling specialist or plumber can educate you on options. They’ll tell you the amount you’re losing due to inefficiency, and they will provide estimates on the cost to upgrade.
Solar Oven
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. Use common household items to make a solar oven. Put a piece of an old window into a box and place foil inside the box to reflect the sun’s rays. They don’t use any outside energy and can get up to 300 degrees.
If you would like to make your life greener like many people do, there are plenty of steps you can take. Going green doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money, as you can begin simply by setting the thermostat to 60 degrees for those periods when you are not home.
You can also conduct monthly cleanings of your furnace filters. Setting the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees will help reduce energy costs, too. Even small steps that you take can add up to a big difference!
Trim your fuel usage by carpooling to more places than just work. Carpooling with other neighborhood parents to transport children back and forth to school not only saves you time, it sames you money. If you live near another family and friends, then synchronize your grocery shopping days and take turns being the driver.
While turning your lights off to save energy is old advice, it’s still relevant. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.
5 Gallons
Try a water-saving commode in your bathroom. You can save a lot of water from being flushed away if you upgrade to an energy efficient model. Older models of toilets can have a capacity of 5 gallons. That is 5 gallons of wasted water per flush. New water saving models use closer to a gallon and a half of water per flush. This can save 70 percent of the water you used previously.
Upgrade your home’s electronics and appliances to save yourself some cash in the future. Though the newer technologies are often much more expensive than standard items, the up-front investment will often save tons later in the form of lower energy bills. A bonus is that you will be helping to protect the environment.
In your high traffic rooms, place automatic light sensors that have motion detection to light the area. This is especially great for families with kids who forget to turn off lights when leaving a room because the lights automatically turn off when no one is present. Make sure your garage has outdoor lighting, as well.
One way to reduce energy consumption is to lower your thermostat in the winter. Consider setting your thermostat to 60 degrees during the night or while you are away. At this temperature your home uses very little energy. If you do this, you can cut down your energy usage and save money at the same time.
Heat each individual room separately to save energy and money on your heat bill. A floor heating system that allows individual room control is a great investment. This is great if your home is big.
Energy Efficient
Keeping your furnace filter current, making use of energy efficient lighting, and using an energy efficient thermostat are very easy ways to help conserve energy and money in your household. Set an example so others will realize how important going green can be! Keep these tips in mind and use them.
