Many people want to make their life more green, but do not know how to start. There are plenty of ways that consumers can use renewable energy sources to protect the environment. The following article will give you advice on how you can begin to use green energy right away.
One way to conserve energy is to make sure your windows aren’t exposed to direct sunlight. Adding some window coverings can also help. Keeping your home cool in the summer means you will not be tempted to use the air conditioning as much. By blocking the sun’s rays, you will save energy and money.
Do you have a farm? If you have a farm or know the owner of a farm, you may be able to rent some land to a utility company for installing a wind turbine. Not only does it take up very little space, both you and the neighbors will greatly benefit from this free energy.
Wash clothing in cold water. Almost 90 percent of the consumed energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating up the water. As long as the washing detergent you use is reliable, using cold water instead of hot water will wash your clothes just as well. Additionally, always wash with a full load of laundry, as this helps to lower the amount of energy you use.
Cover your windows when no one is at home. This keeps your house cool and your energy costs down when you’re not there. Typically, the south facing windows are the ones that get the most amount of sun due to their location. Install window coverings like heavy curtains, drapes, roman or roller shades, or blinds on all windows.
When you calculate the solar panel needs of your home, figure out the hours of sun you get in the winter. This will guarantee that you will have energy no matter what the weather brings, and it will result in a surplus during the summer. If you have a net usage program you will get money returned to you from your utility company for energy generated by you.
When planning out your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the cells as possible. Power is less likely to be lost in cables this way. It also lowers the risk of the cable casting a shadow over the cells, which reduces their ability to generate power.
Keep your refrigerator well maintained. Refrigerators use a large amount of energy, so they should be taken care of to work their best. Regularly make sure the heating coils are dust-free. Also, make sure that the seal around the door is clean and tight.
If you would like to live your life green, stay away from excess electric heater usage. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. Active systems store the solar energy for use later, while passive systems just use the sun’s heat as energy. Active solar power requires a lot of involvement in the form of installation, mechanics, and power cells. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
Try not to turn the heat up too high in your home, unless it is absolutely necessary for you to do so. If it is a little chilly, simply put on a sweatshirt, and pair of sweatpants. If you turn the heat up to 75 degrees, you are using a ton of unnecessary energy.
Pay attention to the watts used in your home. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from. Plug the appliance into the device, and it can tell you the amount of energy it uses within an hour, month, or even a year. You can use this to identify your most expensive energy-hogging appliances.
Green Energy
As you read from the article above, green energy technology is a subject that dominates politics today as the price of oil has only gone up. With the correct information, it is a lot easier to start incorporating green energy options into your life. Heed the advice you learned here, and start enjoying your green life today.