Green energy is a great way to help the environment while also providing benefits for your home. It only takes a few changes to vastly improve your home’s energy efficiency, and cut that electric bill down to size! Read through this article for great tips on how you can use green energy technology in your own home.
Shade your windows from the sun to prevent energy usage. Shades or curtains can also help. By doing these things, you’ll lower the amount you need to run your air conditioner in the summer, as your home will already be cooler. You will save both energy and money.
Solar panels are easy to install. Before undertaking this project however, there are a few things to consider. One major factor to consider with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home receives. If your house is usually in the shade, solar panels will provide limited additional power.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. Warm-air registers can also benefit from filters. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.
Think about heating your water with solar water heaters. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are unlikely, you can purchase systems that circulate water through solar heating systems before pumping it inside for use. You should still retain traditional water heaters for backup when the sun doesn’t show, or if you use a lot of heated water.
Try to turn off things you are not using. 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. A power strip should be used for electronics and can be easily turned off when not needed, since the standby mode is still utilizing power.
Solar Power
Try to learn about passive and active solar power. Passive solar power doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power, although active is stored for later use. Active power needs solar panels installed, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.
Use energy saving products throughout your home to increase efficiency. Double or triple glazed windows and well-insulated doors prevent a lot of wasted energy while keeping the inside temperature more comfortable. With these products, cooling and heating costs are decreased.
Be aware of federal and state rebates for updating your home with renewable energy. Ask your utility company if they offer rebates for green energy upgrades. You may also get state and federal tax deductions for making your home more energy efficient. Rebates and credits will help to offset the cost of implementing green energy technology you want to add to your home.
Hire professionals to talk to you about installing new systems. They can tell you the amount of money you will save, and quote the cost of a new system.
Choose to get most of your correspondence via email. Use paper as little as you can. You will save valuable energy and help the businesses you use to save also. In addition, it also protects the environment.
You can use biofuels as a heat source for your home. Biofuel consists of vegetable or animals fats, wood and oils. If you have a propane furnace, a professional will be able to adjust your system so you can heat your home using a fuel blend. You would be able to use anywhere from 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Make sure you talk with a professional first before you try this fuel out.
Replacing an old boiler can save energy. Older boilers are not as energy efficient as new ones because people didn’t worry about the environment when they were made. New boilers create less carbon dioxide, keep you healthier, and save you money.
Energy Star Rating
Swap your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. Appliances that have an Energy Star rating states that the particular appliance being used is made to consume less energy compared to its predecessor that is not rated. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
Switching to green energy options need not be difficult or expensive. Small changes in your own home can make a big difference. Remember the tips in this article and pass them on, so you can see an improvement in the environment.