You, like most people, do not think about the environment when you’re using common items at home. Whether you like it or not, all the things that you do have an effect in the environment. There’s tons of ways to use green energy to improve the environment. Here are some ideas on how you can incorporate green energy technology into your life.
To reduce energy usage, sahe your windows to keep out sunlight. Shades or curtains can also help. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. Energy and money are both saved this way.
Installing Solar Panels
Installing solar panels is a great way to save electricity. There are several things that should be considered prior to installing solar panels. One of the main things to consider prior to installing solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets. If your house is usually in the shade, solar panels will provide limited additional power.
You may be able to use solar water heaters, and they can warm your water efficiently. 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. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.
Instead of using the dryer in the summertime, hang clothes outside in the warm sunshine. The sun gives your clothes a great smell. It is a fresher smell than you would get from the dryer. This will save you a ton on your utility bills, leaving you extra money to turn your air conditioning on instead.
If you are planning a solar system for your home, be sure to calculate your potential energy production using the amount of sun to expect in the cloudiest month. That way you won’t run out of energy during winter months, and you will have more than enough in the summer. If your electric company bills on net usage, you will actually make money because yu generate more power than you consume.
One way to participate in the green energy movement is buying products that are specifically designed to save energy. Use products such as double-glazed windows or eco-friendly doors to help reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your home’s needs. With these products, cooling and heating costs are decreased.
Build and use a solar oven to bake outdoors and save energy. These can be made with readily available items like an old window, box, and piece of foil for reflection. They require only sunlight to reach a temperature of more than 300 degrees, and they only take a few minutes to construct.
Water-saving toilets are easy to find and install. It has been estimated that as much as 50 percent of the water which is used in one’s home is flushed down the toilet. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.
Do not forget to turn off anything you do not use, including lights, appliances and electronics. What they don’t understand is that doing so would save them a great deal on their utility bills. Resolve to turn off lights and equipment when you are not using them.
Eventually, it will pay off to get green appliances and electronics. Energy savings, coupled with monetary savings, will make the investment worthwhile over the longer term. It will also have a positive effect on the environment over the long term.
Energy Star
One simple way to recognize products and appliances that are energy efficient is to locate those with the ENERGY STAR designation. ENERGY STAR appliances meet guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the EPA. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
Use automatic motion or sound sensors on the lights in high-traffic rooms. The lights in these rooms are turned off by the sensors when not in use, resulting in energy and money savings. Install these sensors on your outdoor lighting as well for more savings.
60 Degrees
A great way for saving energy in your house is to turn the heat down to 60 degrees any time you are sleeping or not in the house. Setting the thermostat to 60 degrees will help cut energy usage. You will save money and energy by doing this.
If you want to save on your heat bill, you can start by heating the rooms separately. A floor heating system that allows individual room control is a great investment. Choose this type of solution if you own a large home.
You might not think about the environment that often, and you aren’t the only one. Now that you’ve learned something about green energy, you can be more environmentally conscious. By using the ideas provided in this article, you can start incorporating green energy into your home, and reduce the amount of damage to the environment.
