When you do the right thing and convert your home into an environmentally friendly environment, you help cut the cost of your energy bills. You don’t need to have an electric car, either! In the article below you will find easy tips for making your home as energy efficient as you want it to be.
When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. This will save a lot of energy. It also means you don’t need hard wired outdoor lights.
Keeping your windows shaded to keep sunlight out of the house will greatly conserve energy. You can also try putting blinds or curtains in. If you do these things, you will cut your use of air conditioning throughout the warm months, as your home will be a bit cooler. Energy and money are both saved this way.
Be socially responsible, and unplug electric chargers for all devices that don’t need immediate charging. Even if you are not charging your laptop, cell phone or mp3 player, just having it plugged in uses energy.
Wash clothes with cold water. Almost 90 percent of the consumed energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating up the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. In addition, remember to wash full loads to maximize energy efficiency.
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. Make sure that all lights are off when you exit a room, and also consider switching off the power for your television set, computer and stereo. Connect your home electronics to a power strip and unplug it when they are not in use. Phantom power draws from electronics in standby mode is a big problem.
Solar batteries should be placed close to solar cells when system installation is taking place. This will prevent power from being lost in the cable. It also reduces the chances of the cable shading the cells and reducing their generation capability.
Storm Windows
Air flow is controlled best in homes with storm windows and doors. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
A green tankless model of water heater can replace a regular tank styled water heater. 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.
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. They will let you know how much you can save by upgrading to more efficient appliances and systems, and also give you a good idea of how much it will cost.
Whenever possible, keep the heat in your home turned down. In colder weather, you can make use of warm pajamas, sweat suits and slippers! Having the heat up high wastes a lot of energy.
Simple things like changing furnace filters, light bulbs and thermostats can make big energy differences. Set the example for those around you, and you will see that they quickly follow suit once they see how simple it is to be green. Remember to start implementing these tips today.
