In this bad economy, people are shining the spotlight on green energy even more than they were before. Switching over to green energy is a simple way to conserve resources and spend less money on energy, which is attractive in these tough times. So, for some easy green energy start-up tips, read on.
Consume energy more wisely by unplugging your device chargers when they are not in use. Chargers for your electronics, such as an iPod or cell phone, are always using electricity, even when they’re not in use, so unplug them when you can.
Instead of using the dryer, dry your laundry outdoors when weather permits. You’ll love how your clothes smell after being sun-dried. They will smell fresher than if you used the dryer. You will also have lower utility bills.
Turn off electrical items whenever you aren’t using them. Make sure that all lights are off when you exit a room, and also consider switching off the power for your television set, computer and stereo. Use a power strip for your home electronics, and turn it off when you aren’t using the equipment. If something is left in standby mode, it is still wasting power.
Choose to get most of your correspondence via email. Go paperless with any company that has the option. You and the businesses you deal with can both save energy and money by going paperless. It also helps save the planet, of course.
Buy a solar oven to provide for the needs of your kitchen. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. This oven uses only solar energy and can reach cooking temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.
Look around for ways to “go green;” if you want to help conserve natural resources, there are many options available. You don’t have to invest a lot of time or money; simply clean out your furnace filters and adjust your thermostat while you’re gone. You can also help reduce energy usage by reducing the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees. Even small steps that you take can add up to a big difference!
Biofuels can be used to heat your home. Bio-fuels consist of vegetable fat, animal fat, oils and wood. 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. Your fuel choices are likely to be between 20 and 99 percent biofuel. Make sure you consult an energy professional before using biofuels in your home.
Switching your boiler is a great energy saving tip. Most oil boilers weren’t made to consider saving energy, whereas new boilers are made to be a lot more energy efficient. Not only can they shave money off your energy bill, but they benefit your health by releasing less carbon dioxide.
Trade in your old major appliances for new ones with the Energy Star rating. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing. Refrigerators and freezers use about 20 percent less energy, while the energy that washing machines use is cut in half.
One of the oldest tips in the book is to make sure that you turn off all electronics and lights when you leave any room to save energy. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. An additional advantage is lower electric bills.
In addition to saving you money, the advice from this article will help to protect the environment. Green energy is a good way to go when you want to save some cash. Implement the ideas from the article above, and you’ll notice a big difference in the energy efficiency of your home.