Implementing a green lifestyle has many benefits for you and the environment you live in. It only takes a few changes to vastly improve your home’s energy efficiency, and cut that electric bill down to size! Use the tips from this article to help you conserve energy and be green in your home.
You can save a phenomenal amount of energy just by using less electricity every day. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Lights and televisions should be off when not in use. This little tip will save you money in the long run.
When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. Not only does this save energy. Also, it will no longer be necessary to install wired outdoor lights.
Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Fabrics such as cotton draw moisture from the skin, which allows you to stay much cooler. Lighter colors also make you feel cooler.
Government grants are available to help consumers invest in renewable energies. Contact your local government in order to see the different programs available in your area. You could possibly qualify for wind or solar installation at little or no cost, or you can deduct these kind of expenses from taxes.
Don’t waste money or energy by running a half-full load of dishes. It’s sacrilege to turn it on with just one or two dishes inside. If you do this, you’ll become used to filling the dishwasher with as many dishes as you can. Line up the same types of dishes, such as plates and cups so you are filling it completely.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, refrain from doing a load until the dishwasher is completely full of dishes. An equal amount of water and energy is used, whether it is full or not. Make use of the air drying, energy-saving option on your washer.
If you would like to reduce the cost of your hot water, use solar energy. Consider a solar water heater. There are systems available that circulate the heat both directly and indirectly. If you have concerns about your pipes freezing when it is cold, you should pick an indirect one.
Maintain your refrigerator well. Since the fridge consumes lots of energy, it’s key to maintain it in working order. Clean the dust off of the heating coils on a regular basis. Also ensure that the rubber seals around the doors are clean and making tight contact.
If you want to save energy on heating and cooling costs, install storm windows and doors. This will reduce drafts, make your home more comfortable, and reduce your energy usage. Storm doors and windows can increase a home’s energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.
Replace a water heater that is tank-style, with a model that is green and has no tank. Tankless versions still need electricity or gas to heat water, but they are more effective in heating solely the water necessary instead of a huge tank of water constantly. You can get a tankless heater that will supply the whole house or one that supplies a single hot-water faucet.
Active Solar Power
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Using active power means storing energy for later use, while passive energy is about benefiting from the warmth or light of the sun rays right away. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. Passive solar power is simply making use of the sun to keep thermal energy in your walls so you can heat your home.
See exactly how many watts of power you are using. Devices like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt can help you determine the highest energy-usage culprits in your home. All you have to do is plug the appliance directly into the device so that it can calculate how much energy is being used per hour, month, or year. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
Energy Star
If you are purchasing new appliances, try to aim for Energy Star rated ones. Appliances that have an Energy Star rating states that the particular appliance being used is made to consume less energy compared to its predecessor that is not rated. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
When you exit a room, make it a habit to flip off the light switch. Get yourself into the habif of always turning lights off and you can save a lot of energy. The money that you will save is an added bonus.
Be sure to check the doors of your refrigerator and freezer to make sure the seal is tight. A broken seal can cause your refrigerator to run unnecessarily, wasting energy and hurting your pocketbook at the same time. Test how well your seal works by placing a piece of paper in the door, shutting it, and seeing if the paper slides out easily.
Environmentally Friendly
In order to lessen the costs of green energy, consumers need to demand these newer technologies. As a consumer you have the right and the power to demand environmentally friendly technologies. When enough people combine their buying power, the industry will respond by offering a wider range of environmentally friendly products at lower costs. Manufacturers will also feel pressured to modify their manufacturing techniques to stay profitable.
As said before, using green energy does not have to be time consuming or expensive. Often, making a few changes to your home can actually save money in electricity costs. Remember the tips in this article and pass them on, so you can see an improvement in the environment.
