Making the switch to green energy has many home and environmental benefits. You can change some simple things in your home to make it more energy efficient, while cutting electricity costs! This article teaches you how to quickly use less energy at home.
When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. This not only saves energy. You also don’t need to hang lights or wires outdoors.
There are government grants available for investing in renewable energy. To find out which programs are available in your area contact your local government. There might be programs in your area that can allow you to install solar or wind energy solutions for free or with taxable deductions if you qualify for them.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it is filled to capacity. A half load uses the exact same amount of water and energy as a full one. Using the air-dry setting will save energy when you run the dishwasher.
Solar Energy
You can obtain hot water for a cheap cost with solar energy. You can purchase a hot-water system that is run by solar energy. There are direct circulation systems as well as indirect systems. For colder regions,indirect is a better option.
To save money on heating your water, buy a tankless system. Tankless versions still need electricity or gas to heat water, but they are more effective in heating solely the water necessary instead of a huge tank of water constantly. Tankless heaters can supply the entire home or certain faucets.
Pay attention to the watts used in your home. Devices like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt can help you determine the highest energy-usage culprits in your home. If you connect an appliance to either of these devices, it can calculate the energy savings you could realize over a given period of time if you switched to green power, from an hour to a year. This is a good way to find out how much your appliances are really costing you.
Newer Ones
A really good energy saving tip is to change your boiler. Most older boilers weren’t made with energy conservation in mind, but newer ones are often fairly energy efficient. Not only do the newer ones emit less carbon dioxide and are healthier, they will greatly lower your energy bill costs as well.
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. 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. Your power bills will also be significantly less.
Use an on-demand water heater to save energy. Traditional water heaters run constantly, heating the water when it’s completely unnecessary. Water heaters with on-demand technology heat water instantly when needed and reduce energy expenses.
Use your electric company to help you get started making your home a more energy-efficient place. Most electric companies’ websites contain general information on how to save energy, as well as calculators that tell you how much energy making specific upgrades can save you. Be sure to also check out any programs they have to help you purchase energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Solar Panels
The addition of solar panels on your home will make your home greener. Do not be discouraged by the initial high investment costs, as you will recoup that money in the form of monthly energy savings. Once you have the solar panels hooked up to your home’s energy system, your solar energy will be free, and can even earn you money if you sell the surplus to your local energy company.
Check your freezer and fridge seals to avoid wasting any energy. Your refrigerator needs more energy to maintain its temperature if the seal is broken. This wastes energy and raises your energy bills. Check the tightness of your seal by closing the door on a piece of paper. When you pull to try and remove the paper, there should be adequate resistance.
Use your refrigerator to thaw out food. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.
Don’t drink bottled water. This water comes from a tap and is then filtered or has minerals put back into it, and the bottling process uses a ton of energy and pollutes the environment. You can use a water filter and a re-useable water bottle to get clean water if you’re worried about how clean your city’s water is.
Washing machines that are front loaders are a greener option. These types of machines use a lot less water than a standard top loading machine while also being more adept at cleaning clothes. This helps you to use less energy and save money at the same time.
Eco-friendly lighting is something you should consider. You can use bulbs, like compact fluorescent bulbs, that are affordable and energy efficient. They don’t use as much energy as regular bulbs and give you a good amount of lighting in your house. Using these light bulbs is an easy, quick way to make your home greener.
It takes neither a large time commitment nor a ton of money to green your home. A few simple changes can be all it takes to save money on your utility bills. Keep these tips in mind, apply them and let your friends know about your good resolutions so that you can all assist the environment.
