Making these switches to your home can be overwhelming. Knowing how to get started and what to do to receive the most benefit can be difficult. The eco-friendly tips and techniques in this article can help you develop a green energy plan.
When creating lightning outdoors for a garden path or patio, consider using solar-powered lamps. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight. This not only reduces energy costs, It also means you do not to have string up those outdoor lights.
Shade your windows from excessive amounts of sunlight to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Closing your blinds and curtains will keep out the sun in summer and keep heat from escaping in winter. Since your home will become cooler, you will not have to use the air conditioning that much. Not only will you save energy, but you will also save money.
Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. The most important thing that needs to be taken into consideration is to determine how much sun your home gets on average. If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. If your air intakes and registers do not have filters, take the time to install them. These filters keep children’s toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.
Storm Doors
Storm doors and storm windows help to better control air flow in the home. These special storm doors and windows prevent cold air and drafts from entering the home. If you use storm doors or windows, you can save at least 45 percent on your electricity bills.
One way to participate in the green energy movement is buying products that are specifically designed to save energy. Use products such as double-glazed windows or eco-friendly doors to help reduce your energy usage without sacrificing your home’s needs. This type of product is perfect for reducing AC costs.
You can use biofuel to heat your own home. Biofuels are made out of a variety of things, including: oil, wood, and animal/vegetable fats. If you have a propane furnace, you may be able to have a professional retrofit your furnace to work with biofuel blend. This would be about 20-99 percent biodiesel. If you decide that you want to use this type of fuel to heat your home, make sure that you talk to a professional first.
Energy Star
Get rid of your old appliances and replace them with Energy Star-certified appliances. An Energy Star appliance is built to use less energy than non-Energy Star appliances. 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.
The easiest and best way to decrease energy expenses in the home is to simply turn off lights and devices when you exit a room. You may be shocked by the amount of electricity you can save by starting this simple habit. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.
Consider more efficient home appliances, such as water-saving toilets. Up to 50% of your home’s water is used by the toilets in your home. 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.
No two homes contain both the same layout and location. Since each home has its own characteristics, what will work for one, may not work for another. Some work for all homes, while others work for only some. Determine which of the preceding tips are right for your home, and put them to use to save the planet.