These days everyone is trying to make their daily life a little greener. What is green energy? It’s energy that is renewable, or technology that is energy efficient, both of which are positive for our environment. This article will tell you how green power can be put to use in your own home.
Lower the heating costs of your water, hot tubs and pools by changing over to a heating system that is run by solar power. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to warm water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat. Making some of these changes will cost you some money up front, but you can recoup some of these costs with tax deductions for using green energy.
Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. Also, you may want your warm-air registers to have filters. This can prevent anything from getting caught in the ducts.
Use cold water in your washing machine. Almost 90 percent of the consumed energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating up the water. Provided you are using the right laundry detergent, you will not see a cleanliness difference by washing in cold water. Don’t forget to only wash clothes when you have a full load s you are as efficient with your energy as possible!
If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. 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!
Upgrading your water heater to a tankless style saves a lot of energy. These heaters only heat water when you need it rather than heating the tank constantly. This saves you on your gas or electricity costs. There are models available that provide on-demand hot water for a whole house or just one faucet.
Pay attention to federal and local rebates associated with renewable energy for your house. Sometimes, your local utility company can give you a rebate based on what the upgrades cost. If not, there might be tax credits or deductions available from the federal or state government. You’ll find that these discounts can effectively reduce the price of adding green energy alternatives into your home.
Unless you’re freezing to death, don’t turn the heat all the way up. When the temperature drops, reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat. You use a lot of wasted energy when you have heat levels turned up too high.
If you are serious about becoming more green, you should keep track of your energy usage from month-to-month and then year-to-year. Simply by being aware of your energy costs will help you be more efficient in your energy output. Taking the time to use less resources will help you get into a habit of preventing energy waste through unattended appliances.
Carpooling is a great way to save energy for transportation needs, even if your trip is to the mall or an after-school event. If you have kids, set up a carpool system in your neighborhood and trade off days with other parents. If you are located close to other families, agree to do your grocery shopping at the same time and rotate who drives each week.
Green Energy
In summary, green energy is a hot topic right now. Green energy is good for the environment, and includes energy efficient technology and renewable energy. It is easy to start using green energy in your house, if you apply the tips laid out in this article.