In this down economy, green energy is a popular topic. A lot of people are actually saving a lot of money by going green; you can learn how to inexpensively change your whole lifestyle around by changing simple things in your life. Here are some simple tips for implementing your own green energy plan.
You might be able to get a government grant to finance your green energy installation. Speak with the government in your area about these programs. Some areas provide rebates for green energy product installation, or provide tax relief as an incentive.
Are you lucky enough to own a farm? If you have a farm or know the owner of a farm, you may be able to rent some land to a utility company for installing a wind turbine. You will benefit from the wind turbine’s free energy and it will take up minimal space.
When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. If your detergent is decent, cold water will be as effective as hot when cleaning your laundry. Be sure to always do a full load of clothes when you wash.
If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. Some systems do not need any modifications in order to use biodiesels. Biodiesel is a better fuel because it has a cleaner burn and is more efficient.
Check what other energy sources are available in your neighborhood. Be sure to look at the legislation and incentives available for using green utilities. You may choose, for example, to go from electric to natural gas for heating, or using a well instead of city water.
When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This will ensure that you are not caught short during winter, and you have excess during the summer. Combining this method with a net utilities plan will mean getting back money from the electric company during the summer, too.
Storm doors and windows help control air flow into a home. They will help prevent cold air drafts in your home. You can increase the energy efficiency in your house by up to 45 percent with stormed windows and doors.
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. There are times when your utility company can offer discounts and rebates for your upgrade costs. If this is not possible, you can find out if upgrades can be used as tax deductions. You may also be able to get credits from the government, either state or federal. These tax savings can reduce the net cost of installing alternative energy technology considerably.
If you aren’t sold on making a large green energy investment at home, then bring in a professional heating expert or plumber to take a look at your existing systems. They can give you estimates on how much energy you are wasting, as well as how much it costs to upgrade.
A solar oven is an energy efficient way of baking. You can make these with simple items, such as boxes, an old window, and some foil for reflection. The oven can heat up to well over 300 degrees using no electricity!
There are countless things you can do it you want to live a environmentally friendly lifestyle. You may not be able to spend a lot of money going green, but you can start by cleaning furnace filters each month and setting heat at 60 degrees when not at home. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. Every small amount helps.
Try using a carpool if you want to reduce fuel consumption. If you have children, you can have a neighborhood carpool and switch with the other parents every day. If you love in close proximity to family members or friends, try to synchronize your shopping trips with them, and you can each take turns driving.
Use a microwave as often as you can to save energy at home. When cooking on, or within, the stove, a lot of energy is used. When you can cook food in your microwave, do it and cut down on your energy usage.
When you exit a room, make it a habit to flip off the light switch. You would be surprised how much energy you could end up saving over time if you get into the habit of turning off your lights. You also will be saving money when it comes to your power bill.
Use an on-demand water heater to save energy. Water heaters that are old-fashioned will constantly run, which in turn heats water when not needed, and this ends up wasting lots of energy. The on-demand water heaters will instantly heat the water when it is needed, and save you a bundle in energy cost as well.
One of the easiest ways to get started with making your home more energy-efficient is to enlist the help of your electric company. Many utility companies have tools on their websites that will help you see how much energy you use, right down to the hour, as well as, ways to reduce your electric consumption and energy costs. Also look into any rebate programs which can help offset the cost of purchasing energy-efficient appliances.
The ideas here can save you money, and the environment, at the same time. Green energy is wonderful for money savings, and this article’s tips will help you see how easy it can be to implement these changes.
