Many people do not know where to start with going green. Does it seem confusing or too costly for you to get started? The time to start is now, and this article will show you some simple, but effective ways to color your home green!
If you are considering purchasing outdoor lighting look into solar lamps. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. Not only does this save energy. It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.
Wear natural fabrics instead of using the air conditioning in the summer. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Light colored clothing can also help you to feel cooler.
It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. But before you do this, there are a few things you must take into account. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? 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.
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 is also recommended to put filters on every register in your home. These filters keep children’s toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.
Heating your water with the power of the sun can be very efficient. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. It is still a good idea to keep a regular water heater in case of excess hot water usage or overcast weather.
Consider how many hours of sunlight you can expect in the winter as you plan your solar system, so that you know how much energy you can expect it to generate. This prevents unpleasant surprises in the winter, and it saves money during the summer. You can actually get money back from your utility company for any energy your generate if you’re on the net usage plan.
Buy energy saving materials to help save energy in your home. Use products such as double-glazed windows or eco-friendly doors to help reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your home’s needs. If you use these products extensively, you will see quite a bit of savings on your energy bills.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. You can make one using supplies you may already have on-hand like old window panes, boxes, and pieces of aluminum foil. You can reach an oven temperature of 300 degrees or more without using any other source of energy besides the sun. It only takes a few minutes to build a solar oven.
Make reminders for yourself to set new energy efficiency targets, and be sure you examine each utility bill that comes in against last year’s bill to see if gains are being made. When you’re aware of energy expenses, you’re better positioned to reduce them. For instance, if you actively attempted to use less water or power, you going to make the effort to turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room.
Billion Kilowatt
Use LED holiday lights to help with green energy use. Over two billion kilowatt power hours can be saved! One study conducted by the Department of Energy found that if everyone in the U.S. switched to these lights, more than two billion kilowatt hours worth of power would be saved. Over 200,000 homes can be powered for a full year with that amount of energy. At least, you can save money on your electricity!
Turn off lights when you exit a room. This is a tried-and-true energy saving trick. Turning off the lights will save a surprising amount of energy. Your power bills will also be significantly less.
A lot of people wonder what exactly it means to “go green” and change their home. The information contained here shows you where to start, so it’s all up to you now. You will benefit your family, your home, and the environment. What better reasons are there to make the change?
