By using green energy, you can save on energy costs and care for the environment. Buying an electric car isn’t the only way to reap these rewards! Read on for information you can use to make your house energy-efficient.
Changing your heating to solar water can reduce the price to heat your water, hot tub and pool. Heating your water with natural gas or electricity is inefficient. However, solar water is inexpensive and more efficient. Making some of these changes will cost you some money up front, but you can recoup some of these costs with tax deductions for using green energy.
Saving energy and money is as simple as closing your curtains. Shading the windows with curtains and blinds will keep out the sun in summer and keep the heat from escaping in winter. Doing both these things will decrease your usage of the air conditioning during the summer because your house will be cooler. The result is a significant energy savings and money in your pocket!
Olored Clothing
During the heat of summer, wear natural-fiber fabrics instead of turning on the air conditioner. Moisture-wicking athletic fabrics pull moisture away from your skin, creating a cooling sensation. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. Also, you may want your warm-air registers to have filters. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.
Use window coverings when you’re not at home. This allows your home to be kept cool when you aren’t there, and in addition, it helps keep energy costs down. Usually, the windows facing the south get more sun because of where they are in the house. Try using coverings on all of the windows, such as dark curtains, roman shades, or some roller shades.
When thinking about home solar systems, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. Also, if you make use of the net usage plan from your electric company, you will get returns from your utility company for generating energy during summer.
Solar Panels
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. When it comes to active power, the energy is stored for later use, while passive doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power. Active solar power requires solar panels, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
Desktop computers require a lot of energy, so why not opt for a laptop? Making this switch can reduce your power consumption by up to 75%. This is especially true if you are an Internet addict or do heavy word processing. Since laptops are portable, you can use them anywhere.
Pay attention to federal and local rebates associated with renewable energy for your house. Sometimes, you will find that a local utility company can give a rebate for the total price of the upgrades. If not, there might be tax credits or deductions available from the federal or state government. These rebates and credits can substantially reduce the cost of installing green energy technology in your home.
If you are on the fence about whether to invest money in green energy for your home, have your existing equipment examined by professional plumbers or HVAC experts. They should be able to inform you about extra expenses you are paying for inefficient appliances, as well as the amount it would cost to upgrade to newer, energy-efficient models.
There are many ways you are able to save energy at home, such as replacing furnace filters, or replacing light bulbs. Lead by example and show the easiness of embracing green technology and lifestyle. Remember to start implementing these tips today.
