Green energy changes need not be as difficult as they might seem. Using green energy is one of the greatest things that can done to preserve the environment. Use some of the effective tips below to begin the change to green energy in your home.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren’t using them. Even if you are not charging your laptop, cell phone or mp3 player, just having it plugged in uses energy.
Energy Sources
Find out about various energy sources that are available in your area. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs. You may find that switching to one or another may provide a reduction in energy use and cost.
Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your clothes in the sun to dry in the summer months. In addition to the energy savings, you clothes will smell incredible. They will smell a lot fresher than if you were to use a dryer. This will save you a ton on your utility bills, leaving you extra money to turn your air conditioning on instead.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full in order to save energy and money. The machine should not be used when only a few dishes need to be washed. Pack your dishwasher full, and you may be surprised at the amount it can hold. Carefully align your dishes so that you can place as many dishes into it as possible.
Think about how much sun your home gets during winter months to help you figure out how much solar energy you need to power your home. This can prevent surprises in the winter, so you ensure your home has proper energy inventory. If you are on a net usage plan, during the summer, you’ll receive money back from the utility company for the energy you generate!
Storm Windows
If you want to save energy on heating and cooling costs, install storm windows and doors. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Storm windows and doors boosts energy efficiency as much as 45%, which can cut electricity costs.
Use a model which is tankless and more green instead of a tank style heater. Even though these green versions of water heaters still use electricity or gas, they only need it to warm the water you’re using instead of heating it at all times. You can either get a tankless heater for your entire house or for a only one faucet.
When looking at solar power, know the difference between passive solar power and active. Activer solar power lets stored energy be used later, while passive power doesn’t require expensive storage cells. Active power requires the installation of solar panels, mechanical systems, and cells. Passive systems simply use the sun’s energy to heat your house or water.
When choosing new windows or doors, consider the energy ratings as you shop. If you install double-glazing on your windows, weather-sealed doors, and other similar products, you can drastically decrease the amount of electricity needed for your home. With these products, cooling and heating costs are decreased.
Don’t turn up the heat very high. When the temperature drops, reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat. Having your heat turned up too high will consume a great deal of unnecessary energy.
Watch your watt usage. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from. Plug these gadgets into an appliance to find out how much energy is used in an hour, a month or a year. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
Going green doesn’t have to be complicated. As you have learned from this article there are a lot of ways you can green up your life for the better. Don’t hesitate to employ what you have learned. It might not take a ton of effort, but using green energy can be a positive change.