A hot topic these days is using green energy whenever possible. So, what exactly is green energy anyway? Green energy is energy generated from a renewable or sustainable resource (e.g. the sun or wind) that can be generated and used efficiently. This type of energy is able to be used in every home, so read on to find out how this is possible.
You may be able to use solar water heaters, and they can warm your water efficiently. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. Though you can use this system, it’s best to have a regular water heater for backup purposes, just in case there is a day with little sunlight or more water usage than normal.
Discover all the different sources of energy in your community. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. It can benefit you to use natural gas instead of electricity, for example.
Use solar energy to provide hot water cheaply. You can go shopping for a solar system that will heat your water. There are direct circulation systems as well as indirect systems. If you have concerns about your pipes freezing when it is cold, you should pick an indirect one.
Convert your home into a more efficient place by investing into energy saving products. There are many options for green products, such as double-glazed windows or doors that are energy conscious. These products offer much more efficiency to your home. By installing these products, your home is sealed tighter, and you use less energy to heat and cool your home.
Pay careful attention to rebates that may help you save money on renewable energy. In some situations, your local utility company may provide rebates to offset some of the cost of such upgrades. Additionally, it may be possible to take advantage of tax rebates offered by state and federal governments. You’ll find that these discounts can effectively reduce the price of adding green energy alternatives into your home.
Don’t turn the thermostat up higher than needed in your home. If you are cold, put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt. When your heat is running it uses more energy than necessary.
Buy a solar oven to provide for the needs of your kitchen. These can be made with readily available items like an old window, box, and piece of foil for reflection. Ovens like this can be assembled quickly, reach temperatures in excess of 300 degrees, and do not require any energy besides the sun.
Try using LED lights as opposed to conventional ones for the next holiday season. Over two billion kilowatt power hours can be saved! The Department of Energy show that 2,000,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity could be saved if all Americans switched to LED lights. That is enough power to run more than 200,000 homes for one whole year. But for your own part, this is a great way to cut that power bill down.
Another great idea would be to use bio-fuels for house heating. Oil, wood and animal or vegetable fats are used to make this fuel. Typically, if your furnace uses propane, professionals can easily provide changes so you use these fuels. This could be anywhere up to 99% of biodiesel. Talk to a professional before you use these types of fuels so you can do it safely.
Switching out your boiler for a newer, more efficient model can be a great way to save energy. Old boilers were created without considering energy consumption, and new boilers are more efficient. Not only do they create less carbon dioxide, a poisonous gas, they can also lower your energy bill.
Switch to a low-flow water-saving toilet. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of a home’s water use is literally flushed down the toilet. A traditional toilet uses up to 5 gallons for each flush of the toilet, but the newer models use as little at 1.6 gallons, which is a savings of 3.4 gallons with each flush.
Green Energy
It goes without saying that green energy is the trend right now. Renewable energy sources and more efficient technology will all help the environment. It is easy to follow this trend in using green energy by making simple changes around the home and following the tips from this article.