Contrary to popular belief, going “green” does not mean that you have to make big investments with your time or with your money. Making some simple changes to your house, can reduce your energy costs and benefit the environment. The next few paragraphs will help you take full advantage of green energy, which will help you do your part to save the environment.
When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. Solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and can save you a great deal on wiring and electricity expenses. This will end up saving you a lot of energy. It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.
Shade the windows from sunlight to conserve energy in summer. You can do this by putting up blinds or curtains. By doing these things, you’ll lower the amount you need to run your air conditioner in the summer, as your home will already be cooler. You will save both money and energy in the process.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. Some systems do not need any modifications in order to use biodiesels. Biodiesel fuel runs more efficiently and is cleaner for the environment, reducing your home’s impact on the environment during winter months.
Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. If you happen to live in a climate where freezing water isn’t going to affect you then you might want to invest into a system that circulates water through your solar heater before it is pumped into your home. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.
Energy Sources
Investigate all of the energy sources your community has to offer. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs. Think about switching to natural gas or well water as examples of simple changes.
During summer, try drying clothes on a clothesline instead of the dryer. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. They will be fresher than clothes dried in the dryer. You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, refrain from doing a load until the dishwasher is completely full of dishes. Dishwashers consume a similar amount of water and electricity regardless of whether it contains one dish or 20. When running the dishwasher, turn on the setting for energy conservation.
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. You can make these with simple items, such as boxes, an old window, and some foil for reflection. Solar ovens can be heated over 300 degrees and only use the sun for energy.
In order to keep up with energy efficiency goals, compare all your energy bills to previous year to see how much progress you are making. By being conscious of how you use energy, you can help significantly reduce the amount of energy you consume. For instance, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, it’s more likely that you will also try to use appliances and lights less often.
Replacing an old boiler can save energy. A lot of the older boilers weren’t made to conserve energy, yet newer ones were made to keep this in mind. Newer boilers don’t produce as much carbon dioxide and use less energy, which saves on your energy costs and promotes better health.
On-demand water heaters are great energy savers. Unlike conventional water heaters, green water heaters are not constantly running, which wastes tons of energy. Water heaters that use on-demand, will heat water instantly when needed, which ends up saving you a lot in energy costs.
Weatherizing your home is a great way to make it more energy efficient. If you seal ducts and drafts around your windows or doors, then you will reduce the energy you need to run your house. On top of that, you won’t have to spend as much money on energy!
Reduce microwave energy use by thawing your frozen food items in your refrigerator. This way of thawing food is safer than leaving it out, and the cold air the food releases helps to cool the inside of your fridge, so it needs to run less often and consumes less energy.
Green Energy
Although not everyone believes that global warming is a threat, anyone can benefit from using green energy in the home. Green energy is cheap to use and easy to implement with some small, daily changes.
