In today’s economy, green energy has become more and more prominent. Using sustainable resources is a great way to keep energy costs down and reduce utility bills in hard economic times. Read on for ways you can use green energy.
When creating an outdoor light set up for a garden path or patio, think of solar powered lamps as an option. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. This doesn’t merely save energy. As an added benefit, you are spared the trouble of running an outdoor wiring system.
Wear natural fabrics instead of always using the air conditioning during summer. Cotton and linen wick away moisture from your skin so that you stay cooler. Also, choose lighter colors. Darker colors absorb heat, which makes you feel warmer, meaning you’ll set your thermostat lower.
Whenever possible, use cold water to wash your clothing. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. It is also better to clean a full load, not smaller loads.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. Many systems can use biodiesels without any modification. Biodiesel burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional petroleum, reducing your home’s environmental impact during the winter.
Cover your windows when no one is at home. This will keep the house cool and reduce energy costs. Usually, the windows facing the south get more sun because of where they are in the house. Thermally insulated black-out curtains are the best option, but blinds and shades can also work.
If you are aiming to save energy and money, try running the dishwasher only when the load is completely full. Don’t run it when there are a low number of dishes present. You may be quite surprised at the number of dishes your dishwasher can handle in one load. Place the dishes in your dishwasher so you can fit in as many dishes as possible.
Power Strip
Turn things off when not in use. When you leave an area take the time to turn off lights, televisions, stereos, computers, and other electrical items you are not going to be using. The easiest way to do this is to plug everything into a power strip and then just switch that power strip to the off position whenever you need to.
When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. As winter sunlight is much lower than summer, you will want to be able to plan for higher energy costs in winter. However, you should also include any refunds you will get from your utility company for excess energy generated in summer!
Understand the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power is the power stored for later use and passive doesn’t require pricey cells for storing power. Active solar power requires solar panels, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive systems simply use the sun’s energy to heat your house or water.
If you are not sure about making improvements to your home, hire professionals that can look over your systems and offer you ideas of what you can do to make your home more green. These professionals can explain how efficient your systems are, and how much it will probably cost to change or replace them.
Try using a solar oven for your baking needs. You can create a solar over using common household items, including aluminum foil and a clean box. The internal temperature of these easy-to-build ovens can top 300 degrees, and they do not require any energy besides the sun’s rays.
If you are not in a room, do not keep the lights on. You could save quite a bit of energy if you are diligent about turning off the lights. You not only save a lot of energy but you save money, as well.
Ask the electric company to help you figure out how to increase the energy efficiency in your home. A lot of utility companies, on their websites, provide tools to assist you in seeing what energy you use, in some cases down to an hour; they also offer ways to reduce costs and consumption. You may also be able to find rebates or other programs to help you get energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances.
Green Energy
The above tips and techniques will help consumers incorporate green energy into their life. Green energy can easily be implemented into consumer’s lives using the aforementioned tips and techniques.