If you are like most people, you may not spend a lot of time thinking about the effect your daily life has on the environment. It may be hard to believe, but even using small appliances has a large cumulative impact on the environment. There are many ways in which you can use green energy that will make your home more environmentally friendly. Read these tips for green energy ideas.
When it’s hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Cotton and other natural fibers, draw the moisture away from your skin, and allow you to stay cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
Washing Machine
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Washing your clothing in cold water will get them just as clean as washing them in hot water if you have a good laundry detergent. In addition, remember that a washing machine will be most energy efficient when it is full.
When not being used, turn things off. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.
If you love green energy and green living, consider using electric heaters less during the winter months. A fireplace for the living area, wearing warmer clothing and purchasing some slippers are all greener ways of keeping the family warm. Remember, cooler air during sleep is better for breathing, and keeps the airways from drying out.
Solar Ovens
Think about baking with a solar oven. Solar ovens can be created with old windows, boxes, and foil. Solar ovens can get hotter than 300 degrees, and doesn’t use any energy source besides the sun, so you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
Look around for ways to “go green;” if you want to help conserve natural resources, there are many options available. Even if you don’t have a ton of money, you can do simple things, like monthly cleaning of the filters in your furnace or lowering the thermostat to 60 degrees when you’re not going to be home. Reduce your water heater to 120 degrees, this can save you a lot of money. Every little bit helps!
A great way to save energy is to switch your boiler. Many old boilers were not made with saving energy in mind, whereas new boilers tend to be more energy efficient. Not only can they shave money off your energy bill, but they benefit your health by releasing less carbon dioxide.
If you are not in a room, do not keep the lights on. Simply turning off the lights when you aren’t using them can really save energy. There’s also the extra benefit of having a lower electric bill.
Overpaying initially for green technology eventually pays for itself. You usually have to pay a bit more upfront for green technologies, but you will save far more than the difference over time with reduced energy costs. You will also enjoy knowing that you are having a positive impact on the environment.
You might want to consider installing automatic light sensors that include motion detection in the rooms that have the most traffic. These sensors turn off automatically when people aren’t in the room, which saves you money. Include sensors on your outdoor lighting and lights in the garage, as well.
Solar Energy
Making use of solar energy will take your current green home plans to the next level. Do not be discouraged by the initial high investment costs, as you will recoup that money in the form of monthly energy savings. You don’t have to pay for solar energy each month; you only have to pay to install solar panels. You may also be able to sell solar power to your local electricity company.
Ceiling fans should also be used in the winter. 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 does take a little electricity to operate the fans, but you will save more energy from not having to run the furnace on a regular basis.
A good tip for saving money and making your life a little greener is to reduce your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees F. That can save you almost 10% on your power bill if your family size is 4, and will provide you with a safe and adequate temperature for your hot water.
Reduce the cost of technologies for green energy by insisting on these technologies. Consumers have the power to ignite significant change in the products that are being developed. The more it is demanded, the more incentive manufacturers have to invest in creating more green products. Also, manufacturers will switch their practices in order to maintain a profit.
Green Energy
Caring for the environment may not have been on the top of your priority list till now. Now that you are aware of a few green energy tips, though, you are more equipped to be environmentally friendly. You can use green energy to avoid damaging the environment by following these tips.
