Just thinking about making green energy changes to a home can be stressful to some homeowners. You may not know where to start and whether or not you will see a decrease in your bills. Read these suggestions to discover the green energy options available for you.
When creating lightning outdoors for a garden path or patio, consider using solar-powered lamps. These lamps are cheap and don’t require any power besides sun exposure. This not only reduces energy costs, As an added benefit, you are spared the trouble of running an outdoor wiring system.
Shade the windows from sunlight to conserve energy in summer. Another option is installing darkening shades. When you use these two things in tandem, you will find your heating and cooling bills will plummet. You will save money and energy at the same time.
Try wearing natural fabrics in the summer as opposed to using the air conditioner. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Wear light colors; dark colors tend to make you feel warm and you will be likelier to turn on the air conditioner.
Start paying attention to your energy consumption. Unplug the charger for your iPod and XBox when they are not in use. Chargers used for cell phones, laptops, mp3 players and other electronic devices use power when they’re plugged in, even if they aren’t charging your device.
If you use fuel oil to heat your home, a technician can give you information about changing over to biodiesel. Switching to biodiesel is often doable without system modification. Biodiesel runs more efficiently, burns more clean, and costs you less during the winter.
Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your clothes in the sun to dry in the summer months. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. They will be fresher than clothes dried in the dryer. Also, using your dryer less will save you money in energy costs on your utility bills each month.
Choose a laptop instead of a desktop PC to save energy. By doing this you could be saving around 75% off your electric bill, especially if you constantly use the Internet or type up papers. Also, you can bring the laptop with you wherever you go.
Opt out of snail mail where possible, and choose to get bills and notices by email. Specifically, go paperless whenever you can. This helps to lower the energy costs of businesses as they communicate, and you can save energy as well. That helps the environment for everybody.
A good green energy technology tip is to use a water heater that is on-demand. Regular hot water heaters keep hot water at a constant temperature, even if you aren’t using it. An on-demand water heater instantly heats water when necessary and saves energy.
You may want to get bamboo items when you’re in the market for something made out of wood. Bamboo serves as a green replacement for wood. Though it is a grass, it has much more strength and durability than many commercial woods. Many items are now available in bamboo. Try bamboo in your flooring, utensils, or cutting surfaces instead of traditional woods. The products are more affordable due to a reduction in the cost of manufacturing products.
Energy Star
Energy efficient appliances have Energy Star logos. Any products that have the ENERGY STAR logo are in compliance with the U.S.
Department of Energy and those of the Environmental Protection Agency. The products with this distinction are often the only eligible ones that can be used for tax rebates.
Use automatic motion or sound sensors on the lights in high-traffic rooms. This turns the lights off in rooms that have nobody in them, which saves a lot of energy (and money). Also remember to do this outside for your garage’s lighting, too.
Putting the temperature to 60 degrees when you’re sleeping or away from home is a great energy-saving tip. Keeping your thermostat on a low temperature will allow you to lower your overall energy usage. You can save money on your utility bills by reducing your energy consumption in this way.
Weatherize your home for more energy efficiency. If you seal ducts and drafts around your windows or doors, then you will reduce the energy you need to run your house. That’s not the only benefit; you’ll also have a lower power bill.
Heat each room separately to save money on heat. To do this, your home will need a board that makes it possible to control the heating for different areas of your home. If you live in a larger home, this is an effective solution.
Keep your water heater set to 120 degrees or less to use less energy. This could possibly save a four-person household up to 10 percent each month on the power bill, yet this still offers an adequate amount of water at a safe temperature.
There are many different types of layouts for many homes. When you consider the many different characteristics present in homes, it can be difficult to determine which green energy source will work best in your particular home. Some green technologies are suitable for every home, while others won’t be. Research the different options available to you and then select the one that is a perfect fit for your own home.
