You may have heard of individuals that talk about using green technology, and you are not sure of what they are talking about. If you have questions about greener energy use and why you should look into it for your home, this article should provide a lot of help to you. Learn how to make your home greener by using the tips below.
Just start using less energy every day. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Be diligent about switching off the television or lighting if you aren’t using them. This is an easy way to save cash as well.
Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. However, before doing this, you need to consider a few things. The most important thing you need to consider is the amount of sun your home gets regularly. If you live in a shady place, or a location with a cloudy climate, solar isn’t the choice for you.
Solar water heaters are a great option for your home. If you live in a region that is not at risk for freezing, it is possible to install a system that pumps water into a solar heater, then pumps it into your house. But, be sure to keep a regular water heater for a backup should the sun not come out or for times that you need large amounts of hot water.
Don’t leave anything on that you aren’t using. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
If you are planning a solar system for your home, be sure to calculate your potential energy production using the amount of sun to expect in the cloudiest month. This will guarantee you energy no matter the weather, and it will have you entering the summer safely without energy concerns as well. If you’re using a type of net usage plan, you’ll receive money back during the summer from your utility company for energy you’re generating!
When designing your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the PV cells as possible. This prevents power from getting lost in the cables. The cable will also be less likely to shade the cells, something that can lessen their capability of generating energy.
Always be consistent in maintaining your fridge. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape. Make a regular habit of removing dust from the refrigerator’s heating coils. Check frequently to ensure that the door seals tightly.
Storm Windows
Air flow is better controlled in home that has stormed doors and windows installed. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. Installing storm windows and doors can increase energy efficiency by up to 45%.
Dressing warmly can help you reduce your energy usage. Even just a lightweight sweater keeps you two degrees warmer, and a heavyweight sweater will keep you four degrees warmer. There’s no reason you can’t bundle up in the privacy of your own home, so put on a sweater and cut down your energy bill!
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. Passive solar systems are less expensive but cannot store energy like active solar systems do. Active systems are what you would normally think of when you think of solar–PV cells, mechanical parts, and storage devices. Passive power, instead, just stores the energy gotten from the sun inside your home.
If you are not sure about making improvements to your home, hire professionals that can look over your systems and offer you ideas of what you can do to make your home more green. They can give you estimates on how much energy you are wasting, as well as how much it costs to upgrade.
Green Technology
Since you now have a better idea of how to use different green technology in your household to your advantage, you can slowly make efforts to change your home. Use these tips to start using green technology in your own home. Not only will the environment thank you, your wallet will too.