Going green inside the home is becoming a popular phenomenon, and there is good reason for this. You can not only reduce your energy bill by taking advantage of this technology, you can also do your part to improve the environment. This article will let you find out some tips about using green energy that you can immediately make use of.
You can make a difference and save energy simply by taking steps to use less energy every day. Unplug appliances that aren’t in use. Also, remember to turn off lights when they are not needed. This may be a simple tip, but it does save you money.
Be a better consumer of energy, and cut your home energy usage by unplugging your electronic chargers when they are not in use. Even if you are not charging your laptop, cell phone or mp3 player, just having it plugged in uses energy.
Do you own a farm? If you or someone you know does, you can rent a piece of your land to a company looking to put in a wind turbine. Your home and the surrounding residences will get some free power. Don’t worry, wind turbines don’t take up a lot of room.
When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. Almost 90% of the power you use to do laundry is simply used to heat the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Additionally, do not run the washer until it is full so as to maximize your energy use.
If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. Many heating systems can be switched over to run on biodiesel without needing extra modifications or parts. Biodiesel is a clean choice when it comes to fuel, and using it will reduce the impact that your family has on the environment.
Only using the dishwasher when it is full will save you money and energy. Don’t run it when there are a low number of dishes present. Your dishwasher can probably hold a lot more dishes than you think. Think carefully about where you place each dish for optimal storage in the washer.
If you’re not using an appliance, turn it off. When you leave a room, shut off the lights, TV, computer, game systems, etc. 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.
If you have a dishwasher, do not turn it on until it is full. The dishwasher uses the same energy when full that it uses when empty, but you’ll have to run it less often. When you do operate your dishwasher, be sure to make use of the energy-saving feature, which air-dries your dishes.
When you calculate the solar panel needs of your home, figure out the hours of sun you get in the winter. This will guarantee you energy no matter the weather, and it will have you entering the summer safely without energy concerns as well. If you are on a net usage plan, during the summer, you’ll receive money back from the utility company for the energy you generate!
Installing Storm Windows
Keep your home better insulated and control warm and cool air better by installing storm windows and doors. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Installing storm windows and doors can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%.
To save money on heating your water, buy a tankless system. Tankless water heaters do require energy for operation, but since they heat water on demand, power is not wasted by keeping a full tank hot 24/7. You can get a tankless heater that will supply the whole house or one that supplies a single hot-water faucet.
Hopefully, this article’s information is useful to you and your home. It is useful to use green energy and makes you feel better, too! Apply the tips you just read to make your home more energy efficient using green energy technology.