Green energy has risen in popularity thanks to today’s economy. A lot of people are actually saving a lot of money by going green; you can learn how to inexpensively change your whole lifestyle around by changing simple things in your life. So, keep on reading so you can learn what it takes to go green.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren’t using them. Chargers for cell phones, mp3 players, laptops and other devices draw some power when they are plugged in, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.
Think about heating your water with solar water heaters. If you live in a place with normally warm temperatures, try installing a system that uses a solar heater. However, you should still have a traditional water heater as backup for times when the sun won’t come out or if you’re going to be using a lot of hot water.
If you prefer to use your dishwasher to wash your dishes, only run it when it is full to capacity. Your dishwasher consumes the same energy and water, even if it is half full. When the dishwasher is used, it is also important to use the main energy-saving feature, which air-dries the dishes.
When installing solar panels, ensure that the energy-storing batteries are installed as close to the cells as possible. Power is less likely to be lost in cables this way. It also reduces shading of the solar shells. Shading reduces solar panel energy generation.
Solar Power
Learn all you can about solar power that is active and passive. Passive solar power doesn’t require the costly power-storage cells that active power does. Active systems are what you would normally think of when you think of solar–PV cells, mechanical parts, and storage devices. Passive is just used via the sun for storing the thermal energy in the walls of your home to heat it.
Try receiving as much messaging as you can via email. Go paperless with any company that has the option. This will help the businesses you deal with cut down on energy costs, and it will also save you a lot of money on energy costs too. An added bonus is that everyone benefits by the protection of our environment.
Don’t turn the thermostat up higher than needed in your home. If you find the air a little chilly, put on a sweater or an extra pair of socks. This saves you from using energy that would be required to sustain heat at that high level.
If you really want to take a bit out of your fuel consumption, try making more extensive use of carpools, even to destinations other than the office. If you are a parent, set up a neighborhood carpool and take turns with the other parents. If you are near friends and family, go food shopping together and take turns driving.
Don’t overlook your utility company’s resources when it comes to making your home greener. Utility companies often have web site tools that let you see the amount of energy you use and ways to reduce the consumption. Also check out programs they offer to help with the purchase of energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.
If you plan to create a greener home, put solar panels on the roof. There is of course an initial investment that is not cheap, however, long term use and the resulting savings, will far outweigh the up-front cost. Once the panels are installed in your home, the energy they provide is free. You can sell this energy to electric companies if you desire.
Weatherize your home for more energy efficiency. By sealing ducts, adding insulation, and putting in more energy efficient windows, heaters, and cooling systems, you are reducing the amount of energy needed to run your home. Also, with these changes, your monthly energy bill will be significantly reduced!
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help keep your home warm during the winter months. By switching them to clockwise rotation, you can use them to push warm air down from the ceiling where it pools, reducing the demands on your furnace or other heating appliance. It is much less costly to run your ceiling fans than it is to run your furnace.
When doing laundry, there many things you can do to conserve energy. You can use a moisture control setting to turn off the dryer when laundry has dried. Use a higher speed for the spin cycle to reduce the drying time. Regularly look for blockages in your dryer’s vent and clean the dryer filters.
One clever way to conserve energy is to thaw frozen food in a refrigerator. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.
Set your water heater’s temperature to about 120 degrees if you would like to go green and lower your bills. This way, you can save up to ten percent on your energy bill for a four-person family. You will still get enough hot water and it will be safer for children as well.
Green Energy Technologies
Drive down the prices of green energy technologies by demanding these technologies. You are entitled, as a consumer, to have any environmentally friendly products you desire. The more demanding you are and actually purchase them, the more businesses will manufacture products using green energy technologies which in turn will lower the price. Manufacturers will have to use greener practices if they want to make money.
Make your own ice and reduce your energy consumption. Automatic ice makers are convenient, but they also use a ton of energy and aren’t very reliable. These ice makers also increase the temperature of the freezer if they have leaks in their seals. By making ice the old fashioned way, you can save yourself money and energy.
Not only will these tips save you money, but they will benefit the environment. Green energy can be a wonderful way to save money in this economy, and if you use the tips in this article, you will see how simple and helpful green energy can be.
