Not only will going green help you save money, it will benefit the world around you. The simple changes you implement to make your home energy efficient will cut your electrical costs significantly. This article provides useful tips on home-energy conservation.
Choose solar-powered lights when installing outdoor lighting in your yard. These inexpensive lamps require no external power source and can run entirely on solar power. Not only does this save energy. You will not have to hook up the lights to an electrical source.
Solar water heating is a great way to decrease the expense of heating water used for showers and swimming pools. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to warm water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat. These types of upgrades, while more costly at first, may qualify you for a green energy deduction on your taxes.
Shade your windows from excessive amounts of sunlight to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Installing blinds and curtains will also help. If you do these things, you will cut your use of air conditioning throughout the warm months, as your home will be a bit cooler. You will save both energy and money.
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Fabrics like cotton naturally draw moisture away from the skin, allowing it to stay cooler. If you wear lighter colors, you will also feel cooler than if you wore black or another dark color.
Speak to a technician to find out if your fuel oiled heating can be changed to an alternative fuel, such as biodiesel. You might even find that you can switch your system to partial biodiesel without having to purchase parts or hire a contractor to perform modifications. Biodiesel is cleaner and more efficient to burn than oil, and it has a better affect on the environment.
Put the solar energy system’s batteries close to its cells during installation. This helps prevent power loss in the cables. This also prevents the long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
Storm Windows
If you want to save energy on heating and cooling costs, install storm windows and doors. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.
One of the best ways to go green and cut energy costs is by dressing more warmly. You can wear a heavy sweater instead of a light one to give yourself more warmth when you’re at home. It is unnecessary to dress scantily at home, so pick up a sweater and save some money!
If you’re unsure about green investments, get an expert to provide a consultation that will optimize your energy usage. They’ll tell you the amount you’re losing due to inefficiency, and they will provide estimates on the cost to upgrade.
Biofuels can be used to heat your home. Biofuels are made out of a variety of things, including: oil, wood, and animal/vegetable fats. You can hire a professional to adjust your propane furnace to be capable of using any type of fuel you desire. These changes would let you use biofuels is between 20 percent and 90 percent of the fuel used in the furnace. Just be sure to consult with a professional before attempting to use this fuel in your home.
As you can now see, you do not have to spend a lot of money to go green. Just making a few small changes in your home can save you on energy costs. Keep these tips in mind so that you can help the environment.
