Have you considered using green energy before, but do not know how to begin? Does it seem as though it would be costly or difficult? The time to start is now, and this article will show you some simple, but effective ways to color your home green!
If you’re designing any kind of outdoor lighting, you may want to think about installing solar-powered lamps. These lamps require now power source, except the sun, and are generally inexpensive. You save a lot of energy in the process. This saves you money, and it also means you don’t need to wire the outdoor lights.
Wear natural fabrics during the summer in order to avoid wasting energy on air conditioning. Fabrics like cotton naturally draw moisture away from the skin, allowing it to stay cooler. Light colored clothing can also help you to feel cooler.
Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. However, before beginning this process, you need to realize a few things. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? When in a shaded area, or city with less sunny days, there won’t be as many benefits from solar power.
Every year, replace your furnace’s filters, and every month, see if they require a cleaning. Filters can also be installed in every warm-air register. These filters keep debris or toys from entering the duct-work, which could reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
If you heat your home with fuel, talk to a technician about using biodiesel. A lot of times this can be done with minimal modifications to your existing system. Biodiesel is cleaner and more efficient to burn than oil, and it has a better affect on the environment.
Think about heating your water with solar water heaters. Best for locations with a warmer climate, a solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water that circulates through it. Make sure you own traditional water heaters for backup during cold days.
On hot, summer days, hang your clothes outside. You’ll love how your clothes smell after being sun-dried. Laundry will smell fresher and cleaner, much more so than when they were in the dryer. Additionally, you will end up saving lots of money each month on utility bills.
Degrees Warmer
You can save on your energy bill by dressing warmly. Even just a lightweight sweater keeps you two degrees warmer, and a heavyweight sweater will keep you four degrees warmer. Wearing slightly heavier clothes is not any less comfortable and can save you significant money.
Try to communicate more via email. Use paper as little as you can. This helps businesses you deal with reduce their energy expenses, and it helps you reduce energy expenses, as well. This benefits everyone in society along with your own business.
Explore the possibility of using a solar-powered oven for some of your baking needs. Solar ovens can be created with old windows, boxes, and foil. The temperature in these ovens can heat up to 300 degrees, they can be put together in a few minutes, and the only energy they use is the sun.
There are countless things you can do it you want to live a environmentally friendly lifestyle. For example, cleaning your furnace filters every month and turning down the heat when you aren’t at home will greatly increase the efficiency of your furnace. Setting the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees will help reduce energy costs, too. No change is too small.
Consider changing out a standard toilet for one that is built to save water. Estimates show that 50% of water used in a home is to flush the toilet. A water-saving toilet cuts that by about 70 percent.
The number of lights that are left on, or appliances that are run half full is astounding. If everyone did this on a regular basis, an enormous amount of energy could be saved. Think before you act, and turn things off when not using them.
Ask your electric company for tips and advice on how to cut your electric bill. Many of the utility companies have added website tools that help you review your current energy usage and look for ways to reduce it. You may want to see if some of their programs can provide you with energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances.
Energy Star
A simple way to identify appliances that are energy efficient is to search for an ENERGY STAR logo. The guidelines that ENERGY STAR appliances must meet are set by the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the EPA. You will find tax rebates available for these types of products, specifically.
To reduce electricity usage, use sensor lights in regularly-used rooms. The sensors will make sure that there is no light in rooms that aren’t being used, and that will save energy and a great deal of money! Don’t forget to use this with outdoor lighting!
You can save a good amount of money on your energy bills by using a programmable thermostat in your home. These thermostats have pre-programmed settings that regulate temperatures in your home in both summer and winter months. They are also programmable for day and night temperatures.
Your refrigerator and freezer should not be in a warm area. Keep these things out of the sun and away from heating vents, because that can cause the temperature inside to rise, which means they will run for longer times.
So now you should be able to understand what it truly takes to alter your home to become more green and environmentally friendly. This article has given you the information you need to get started, but you’ll need to make use of it. Start now, and you will be surprised by the benefits you will reap!