Maintaining green energy in the home is one of the best ways to ensure that the environment is being protected, while cutting energy costs. You do not have to buy electric cars to make this possible. This article has some great, simple ways to improve energy efficiency.
Solar powered outdoor lighting is a wonderful enhancement to your outdoor living areas. These lamps require now power source, except the sun, and are generally inexpensive. They also save energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.
Some government money is available to assist consumers with switching to renewable energy. Check out your local government so that you can see what type of programs are available in your area. You may qualify for free wind or solar installation, or you may find that you can deduct some of your expenses on your taxes.
Discover all the different sources of energy in your community. Look into the cost of operating your home with each of your options, keeping in mind any recent changes to legislation about energy costs. You might be able to save money by switching to well water or natural gas heat.
Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. Don’t run it when there are a low number of dishes present. Once you learn how to properly fill a dishwasher, you will be amazed at the number of dishes that can be washed in one load. Place the dishes in your dishwasher so you can fit in as many dishes as possible.
Tankless Heaters
Get rid of your old water heater and put in a green, tankless one. Although tankless heaters require electricity or gas to heat water, they only do this on the amount you need as opposed to storing it in a large tank that is kept hot all the time. You can find tankless heaters that either supply an entire house, or just a single faucet.
Don’t use your electric heater when you can avoid it. Buy more warm clothing and use a fireplace to add heat to your home. This is good for your health as well as your electric bill. Breathing cooler air at night helps keep your respiratory system healthy; you’ll avoid drying out your airways.
Learn about the differences between passive and active solar power. Passive solar power doesn’t require the costly power-storage cells that active power does. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. Passive energy is about using windows and insulation to keep your home warm and well-lit.
Save Energy
Upgrading your home’s boiler is a smart way to save energy. Many older boilers weren’t made to save energy, whereas the newer ones tend to be much more energy efficient. New boilers create less carbon dioxide, keep you healthier, and save you money.
An easy way to use green energy is to install a tankless water heater. Traditional water heaters are always on and heating unused water, which is a tremendous waste of energy. This type of point of use heater warms the water as it is required, and can result in significant cost savings.
Your electric company is probably eager to help you start saving energy today. Utility companies provide some powerful tools online to measure and control your electricity usage. You may also be able to find rebates or other programs to help you get energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances.
An easy way to identify energy efficient appliances and products is to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. Appliances that have been ENERGY STAR rated follow energy consumption guidelines promulgated by the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition to this, only ENERGY STAR appliances can be used for tax rebates.
You might want to consider installing automatic light sensors that include motion detection in the rooms that have the most traffic. The sensors will make sure that there is no light in rooms that aren’t being used, and that will save energy and a great deal of money! Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.
Set your home’s thermostat to 60 degrees if you are sleeping or leaving the house for several hours at a time. This setting effectively reduces your energy use while not allowing the temperature to vary too far away from the human comfort level. You can save money on your utility bills by reducing your energy consumption in this way.
Solar Panels
Solar panels can be a great addition for your home, making it more efficient and greener. The initial cost of installing solar panels may seem significant, but consider the long term saving when calculating the final cost. 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.
Simple things like changing furnace filters, light bulbs and thermostats can make big energy differences. You can also create an example for people in your network, so they can join you in going green! Utilize the tips in this article and put them in place today.
