Going green is beneficial for not only your home, but the environment as well. There are some easy ways to reduce your energy use and save money by being more efficient in your home. This article teaches you how to quickly use less energy at home.
Shade your windows from excessive amounts of sunlight to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Shading the windows with curtains and blinds will keep out the sun in summer and keep the heat from escaping in winter. 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’ll save money as well as energy.
Solar panels are easy to install. But before you do this, there are a few things you must take into account. The most important thing you need to consider is the amount of sun your home gets regularly. Shade is valuable in some respects, but when you are considering solar energy it can be a complicating factor.
If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. A lot of the existing systems can be modified with minimal parts or alterations. Biodiesel is great because it is more efficient and produces less pollution that standard oil, which will reduce your carbon footprint.
Investigate all of the energy sources your community has to offer. Find out what the cost of using these utilities to run your home would be. For example, it may be cheaper for you to heat your home with natural gas as opposed to electricity, or use well water instead of city water.
Plan out and calculate your energy consumption rates for your home solar system for the winter months so that you know what you can consumer on a daily basis. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. If you’re using a net-usage plan, in the summer you’ll get cash back from your utility provider.
Solar Power
If you are interested in solar power learn about the difference between active and passive power. Active power is energy that gets stored and is used later. Passive is energy that can be used without expensive cells. Active solar power requires a lot of involvement in the form of installation, mechanics, and power cells. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
When purchasing anything made from wood, look for bamboo options. It is a green product and is actually a grass; however, it is quite durable and works well even in high traffic areas. Many items are now available in bamboo. Try bamboo in your flooring, utensils, or cutting surfaces instead of traditional woods. This will reduce energy consumption for the production and recycling of manufacturing items.
Green electronics may seem expensive in the beginning; however, the amount of energy saved will pay off over the life of the equipment. Even though green technology may be costlier, it pays off in the long run when you see cheaper utility bills. It also has the long-term benefit of saving the planet.
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 plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, they are generally more likely to have a tax rebate.
Install light sensors that are automatic and have motion detection in the rooms with lots of traffic. Use these sensors to turn the lights off when no one is in the room, which will save you money as you use less energy. Don’t forget to also include the outdoor lighting above your garage, too!
As said before, using green energy does not have to be time consuming or expensive. Making a few easy changes can lower your electricity usage and save you money. Keep the advice that was presented to you in mind and make a difference in our world. Take the time to also share it with others.