Nowadays, people are becoming more aware that it is important to protect the environment. A great way to care for the environment while saving yourself money is to incorporate green energy technology at home. This article will introduce you to a few of the many ways that you can put green energy to work at home today.
Be a better consumer of energy, and cut your home energy usage by unplugging your electronic chargers when they are not in use. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw “phantom power” if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.
Energy Sources
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs. It might be good to switch to natural gas or well water, as an example.
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. There are tankless heaters designed to not only provide one area with hot water, but also to heat entire houses.
Solar Power
Do some research and learn about passive and active solar powers. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. To use active power it requires mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
There are products available for purchase that can help you reduce your energy costs. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy. Using this type of product will cut down on heating and cooling energy costs.
Make use of a solar oven for baking needs. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.
Closely monitor how many watts you are using. If you do not know the formula to figure out the energy each appliance uses, there are tools like a Kill-A-Watt that can give you the information instantly. When you plug an electrical appliance into the monitor, it displays how much energy it requires each hour, month, or year. You can then use this information to find out how much the appliance really costs to run.
Carpooling doesn’t have to be just for work. If you are a parent, set up a neighborhood carpool and take turns with the other parents. If you have family or friends close to you, you could also plan your grocery trips together and share the driving responsibilities.
Water-saving toilets can get you started on a greener lifestyle. Some estimates show that toilets account for 50 percent of the water use in a home. Older models used 5 or more gallons of water to flush; today’s water saving models uses a little over 1.5 gallons per flush. That is a 70 percent water savings.
You can easily help the environment and have an energy efficient home by using these green energy tips. Watching the savings mount can alter many behaviors pretty fast.
