Green Energy Advice That Can Make A Difference

Using the sun, water or wind to create energy helps the environment, as well as the cost of energy in your home. If you are a heavy energy user due to the amount of technology used within the home, then these tips will show you how you can reduce your costs while continuing to enjoy the gadgets you love.

When designing outdoor lighting for your patio or garden path, consider solar-powered lamps. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight. This saves a lot of energy! It also means you do not to have string up those outdoor lights.

Wear natural fabrics instead of running your air conditioner during summer months. Fabrics like cotton naturally draw moisture away from the skin, allowing it to stay cooler. Light colors help you to feel cooler than darker or warmer colors.

People can get government grants to invest in some renewable energies. Check with the local government and see what programs are available to you. You could possibly qualify for wind or solar installation at little or no cost, or you can deduct these kind of expenses from taxes.

You can save electricity by unplugging chargers when they are not in use. All the chargers you use for mp3 players, cell phones, laptops and any other devices draw in some charge when they’re plugged in and aren’t being used.

Your furnace filters should be cleaned monthly and replaced yearly. Warm-air registers can also benefit from filters. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.

Use window treatments to shade the inside of your home when you aren’t home. This allows your home to be kept cool when you aren’t there, and in addition, it helps keep energy costs down. Usually, the windows facing the south get more sun because of where they are in the house. Window coverings such as roller shades, roman shades or dark curtains can be used on all windows.

Solar water heaters are an inexpensive and efficient way to heat your home’s water. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.

Solar Energy

If you want to have hot water, but at a lower cost, then check into solar energy. Build a hot-water system based on solar energy. There are both direct and indirect circulation options to choose from. If your pipes freeze when it’s cold, the best option is the indirect system.

Change up the way you dress in your home and warm yourself up to avoid turning on the heater if possible. If you wear a light sweater, you’ll feel two degrees warmer. A thicker sweater adds about four degrees. Wearing slightly heavier clothes is not any less comfortable and can save you significant money.

Write reminders for energy-efficient goals and check your utility bills. Keeping energy usage at the forefront of your mind can motivate you to use less energy in the long run. If you are specifically focusing on reducing your electricity and water consumption, then you are going to be more conscious of lights left on, or dripping taps.

Think about using a carpool more often than commuting to work if you want to cut the amount of fuel you use. Set up carpooling with other parents to get the kids to soccer practice or band camp. Join with friends and family to do grocery shopping, visit the mall or even go to the movies.

Water-saving toilets are easy to find and install. Experts estimate that almost half of a home’s use of water is flushed. A traditional toilet uses about five gallons of water each time it is flushed, compared to a water-conserving toilet, which uses just 1.6 gallons. This is a 70% water savings.

Try bamboo products when buying wood items. Bamboo is a very green product and is technically a grass, but it is stronger than many commercially available woods. It is a fast grower, and can be made into many different products like cutting boards to flooring, which you can purchase. This saves energy when it comes to the production and recycling of manufacturing products.

Ask the electric company to help you figure out how to increase the energy efficiency in your home. Many utility companies have tools on their websites that will help you see how much energy you use, right down to the hour, as well as, ways to reduce your electric consumption and energy costs. They may also have programs to help you purchase energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.

Install light sensors that are automatic and have motion detection in the rooms with lots of traffic. These motion sensor lights will turn off lights in rooms that are not in use automatically, which in turn, will save you money with your energy bills. Also try this on your outdoor lights, so that they only turn on when there is someone there.

One way to make your home use less energy is to weatherize it. You can reduce the energy needs of your home with energy efficient windows, heating and cooling systems, and by adding insulation and sealing ducts. In addition, you will reduce your energy bill quite a bit.

Your refrigerator and freezer should not be in a warm area. They should be kept out of sunlight as well as away from heating vents. Heat from any source will cause these appliances to run longer.

By starting now with green energy technology, it means greater savings for you and healthier planet in the future. As stated in this article, going green doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.