Have you been thinking about green energy before but didn’t know what to do about it? Have you been overwhelmed by the options and prices of green energy systems? Forget the past and move into the future today, by reading this article and the simple tips within, so you can change your home for the better.
Shade the windows from sunlight to conserve energy in summer. Shading the windows with curtains and blinds will keep out the sun in summer and keep the heat from escaping in winter. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You will save energy and money.
When you can, wash your clothes using 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. Another great tip is to always fill up the washer with a full load so that you’re being as efficient as possible.
Clothes should always be washed in cold water, if possible. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing. In addition, remember to wash full loads to maximize energy efficiency.
As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. This prevents any unanticipated effects from a winter months, and it keeps you ahead of the game for summer months. If you have a net usage program you will get money returned to you from your utility company for energy generated by you.
It is beneficial to maintain your refrigerator to keep it working efficiently. Refrigerators constantly use energy to maintain cooler temperatures. If it is not properly cared for, it will use much more energy than it needs to. Clean the dust off of the heating coils on a regular basis. Check frequently to ensure that the door seals tightly.
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Checking the costs of running a home with utilities should also include recent legislation about energy costs. For example, you might see a savings if you switch from electricity to natural gas, or even switch from electricity to solar or wind power.
If you try to promote living sustainably then use your heater as little as you can during winter. You can wear warmer clothing instead, and warm up your home with your fireplace. Also, it has been shown that people sleep better in cooler temperatures.
Don’t turn your heat up too far in the home, unless you need to. If you feel a small chill, instead of turning up the heat, put on a sweatshirt or sweatpants. When your heat is running it uses more energy than necessary.
If you would like to make your life greener like many people do, there are plenty of steps you can take. Many of these options will not cost you money, but will instead save you money, like cleaning your furnace filter monthly and turning down your thermostat when you are leaving your home. Another way to save energy, and money, is to set the water heater’s temperature at 120 degrees. Little things like this add up!
Dry clothes outdoors instead of in the dryer during the summer. The sun can dry clothes quickly without using any power, with the added benefit of making your clothes smell extra-fresh. They will feel and smell fresher than machine-dried clothes. You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.
Water-saving toilets are easy to find and install. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Older toilets use about 5 gallons per flush, while the newer, water-saving toilets need only 1.6 gallons of water for each flush, cutting your annual water usage by up to 70%.
If you are in the market for wooden items, try bamboo wood. Bamboo is a product that grass-based and a lot stronger than many of the commercially available wood products on the market. It grows fast and is made for several products like furniture or flooring. This saves energy on both the production and reclamation ends of the manufacturing process.
Green Electronics
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save some money, do a load of dishwashing only when the dishwasher is filled to capacity. Don’t run it with only two or three dishes inside. Once you learn how to properly fill a dishwasher, you will be amazed at the number of dishes that can be washed in one load. Properly place your dishes in it so you can fit as many as possible.
Spending the extra money on buying green electronics and appliances pays off in the long run. Oftentimes, green technologies are a bit more expensive than their traditional counterpart; however, investing in green electronics and appliances will pay off with savings from decreased energy consumption. The environment will also benefit.
Don’t forget about ceiling fans during winter time. You should use them to help heat your home. Change to the winter clockwise rotation to return the warm air down towards the room and put less stress on your heater. It does take a small amount of power to run your fans, but that is covered by the savings you get from heating your house a little less often.
Now you should see how you can make use of green energy technology in your home. This article has provided you with the answer, but it’s up to you to start using the techniques listed here, in your own life. So begin as soon as possible, you’re sure to appreciate the results.
Don’t leave appliances that aren’t in use, on. Whenever you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off lights, televisions, and computers. 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.