You might have been aware of the positives of solar panels like saving money and conserving energy. Installing a PV solar system is a great way to get started on making your home “green.” Read on to find some ideas which will help you get started.
Powered Lamps
Consider installing solar powered lamps for outdoor lighting. Solar-powered lamps are usually inexpensive, and they don’t need any power source besides the sun. This does more than just save energy. It means you don’t have to wire up outdoor lights.
If you are trying to conserve energy in the summer, be sure to keep your shades drawn to block out the sun. Using curtains or blinds is a good way to block unwanted sunlight. These actions will reduce the air conditioning usage during the hot summer months, and yet your home will still remain cooler. Not only does this conserve energy, but it lowers your utility bills.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Fabrics such as cotton draw moisture from the skin, which allows you to stay much cooler. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
There are government grants available for investing in renewable energy. Talk to your local representative to see if programs operate in your neighborhood. You may qualify for a free installation or a tax deduction.
Solar panels are an easy addition to your home that helps you and your family go green. However, you must consider a few issues before getting started. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. If the area is shady, or you are in a region that doesn’t receive much sunshine, then you won’t be gaining much power.
Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing. Furthermore, remember to always wash a full load, as this is more energy efficient.
Cover your windows when no one is at home. This helps to keep your house at a cooler temperature and lower the amount of energy used. Typically, the south facing windows are the ones that get the most amount of sun due to their location. Cover all of these windows with curtains, blinds or roller shades.
Clothes Outside
Instead of using the dryer in the summertime, hang clothes outside in the warm sunshine. Hanging your clothes outside to dry in the sun will give your clothes an incredible fresh smell. They’ll smell so much better than if you shoved them into a dryer! This will save you a ton on your utility bills, leaving you extra money to turn your air conditioning on instead.
You can obtain hot water for a cheap cost with solar energy. Simply put, all you need is a hot water system that uses solar energy. Research the benefits of an indirect versus direct circulation system. The best option for you is the indirect one if you might have frozen pipes.
One way to participate in the green energy movement is buying products that are specifically designed to save energy. If you install double-glazing on your windows, weather-sealed doors, and other similar products, you can drastically decrease the amount of electricity needed for your home. These products will help you reduce the costs of heating and cooling.
Replace your toilet with a water-saving model. Some estimates show that up to half of all the water used in your home is flushed right down the toilet hole. Five gallons is the typical amount used by older models, while low-flow toilets consume about 1.6 gallons per flush.
Although it is probably common sense, usually, most people forget to shut off lights and electronics when not using them. If someone did that every day, they would slash their energy bill a great deal. Consider the possible impacts on your own bills and be sure to shut off lights and gadgets when not in use.
Consider switching out your home’s older windows with newer ones that are rated for superior energy efficiency. You’ll not only see a reduction in your energy bill, but you will also reduce carbon dioxide, condensation on the inside of your windows and a reduction of outside noise in your home.
Energy Star
You should find an Energy Star logo or seal right on the product, so be sure to look for it. If the appliance has an ENERGY STAR, it means it meets guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Energy and additionally the Environmental Protection Agency. Typically, these are the only appliances that one can get a tax rebate for.
Use your ceiling fan in the winter. Warm air is pushed down when the fan is running in a clockwise rotation. The fans use much less electricity than your heater or furnace, which will cut your electric bill.
Thawing frozen foods in your refrigerator is a good way to conserve energy. This not only thaws the food out in a safer manner, but also, the cold air that is released will make the refrigerator cooler, which means you spend less energy cooling it.
As you could see, solar panels have a lot of desirable benefits when it comes to home owners, aside from saving energy. You can buy and install them fairly easily and won’t have to pay for replacements for years, as they last a while. Solar panels are a good way to be green and provide a much needed update for your home.
