Going green benefits your home and your health, as well as leaving a minimal impact on the environment. Simple home modifications can help you save money on electricity and become more energy efficient. Read this article for some quick tips on conserving the energy used while at home.
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. If you have appliances that are not in use, keep them unplugged until you need them. Turn off lights, television sets and other small appliances when you are done using them. This helps to save money without much effort.
Wind Turbine
Are you the owner of a farm? If you do, then you probably own property. This might be an opportunity to rent a portion of that property to a company that will build a wind turbine on it. The wind turbine will provide free energy without taking up much room. Your neighbors will also benefit from this energy source.
Turn things off when not in use. When you exit a room, be sure that everything has been fully turned off. Use a power strip for your home electronics, and turn it off when you aren’t using the equipment. If something is left in standby mode, it is still wasting power.
Think about how much sun your home gets during winter months to help you figure out how much solar energy you need to power your home. That way you won’t run out of energy during winter months, and you will have more than enough in the summer. If you’re using a net-usage plan, in the summer you’ll get cash back from your utility provider.
Make sure your refrigerator is properly maintained. Since the fridge consumes lots of energy, it’s key to maintain it in working order. It is important to wipe off the dust from heating coils on a regular basis. In addition to that, make the seal near the door clean and tight.
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. Sometimes your utility company may offer additional rebates which will help pay for the expense of the systems. Additionally, it may be possible to take advantage of tax rebates offered by state and federal governments. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Keep the heat as low as you can, unless you absolutely have to raise it. If you are cold, put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Having your heat turned up too high will consume a great deal of unnecessary energy.
Watch your watt usage. Devices like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt can help you determine the highest energy-usage culprits in your home. You can tell how much energy it uses by plugging the appliance into it. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
Energy Usage
Make use of the microwave when possible to cut down on energy usage. Each time you cook in the oven or stove, you tend to use lots of energy. So when you can “nuke” your food, do so to cut down on energy usage.
An on-demand (tankless) water heater is very green. Old fashioned heaters run constantly, heating the water even when not needed, therefore wasting energy. Using an on-demand water heater is a great way to save both energy and money.
Do not forget to turn off anything you do not use, including lights, appliances and electronics. Just this single habit could prevent a lot of unnecessary energy use and save much money. Consider what you are doing before it is done, and turn those appliances and lights off when you are finished using them.
Spending the extra money on buying green electronics and appliances pays off in the long run. While greener technology is often more expensive initially, the long-term savings will more than offset this. It will also have a positive effect on the environment over the long term.
Energy Star
Energy efficient appliances will feature the bright Energy Star sticker. ENERGY STAR appliances must meet all the guidelines which have been established by the U.S.
Department of Energy and those of the Environmental Protection Agency. You can get a tax rebate from these type of items, as well.
Switching to green energy options need not be difficult or expensive. Often, making a few changes to your home can actually save money in electricity costs. Keep the advice that was presented to you in mind and make a difference in our world. Take the time to also share it with others.
