Homeowners can be confused and overwhelmed when thinking of making their home green. You may not know exactly where to start, or what changes would be most beneficial to you while being environmentally friendly. Take the time to read through the following tips to find the things that are best for your home.
Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. By wearing natural fabrics, such as cotton, you will keep moisture away from your skin and help it stay cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
Provide Energy
Do you own a farm? If you have one, an energy company may be interested in renting a portion of the property to install a wind turbine. This installation will provide energy while taking little space and it will provide energy to you and perhaps your neighbors.
Use window coverings when you’re not at home. You will lower your energy costs since this will help keep your home nice and cool. Usually, windows that face south receive the most sunlight. Try using coverings on all of the windows, such as dark curtains, roman shades, or some roller shades.
During the summer months, think about using the heat from the sun to dry your clothes instead of utilizing a dryer. Hanging your clothes outside to dry in the sun will give your clothes an incredible fresh smell. Line-dried items will be just as clean and dry as they would be if you used the dryer, but they will also smell so much fresher. You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.
If you have a dishwasher make sure you only run it when it is full. It will use the same quantity of water or energy even if one dish is in it. When it is time to do a load of dishes, use the dishwasher’s energy-saving mode. This makes it so that the dishes air-dry rather than being dried by heat.
Solar Energy
Solar energy can heat water for a lesser cost. Purchase a hot water system that uses solar energy. There are both direct and indirect circulation options to choose from. Indirect is best if you have cold winters and worry about pipes freezing.
Help to control the air flow in your own home by installing a storm door and storm windows too. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. Storm doors and windows can help save as much as 45 percent on energy costs.
Electric heaters should only be used when necessary in order to be more green. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. Keep in mind that cooler air is better for your breathing while you sleep as it prevents your airways from becoming dry.
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. Using active power means storing energy for later use, while passive energy is about benefiting from the warmth or light of the sun rays right away. Active solar power requires solar panels, cells, and mechanical systems. Passive systems simply use the sun’s energy to heat your house or water.
One way to participate in the green energy movement is buying products that are specifically designed to save energy. Certain green products, like double glazed windows, eco-friendly doors and windows really help reduce the amount of energy needed to run your home efficiently. By installing these products, your home is sealed tighter, and you use less energy to heat and cool your home.
Each home is laid out differently. Since each home has its own characteristics, what will work for one, may not work for another. There are a few types that can work in every home, while others are built for homes of a specific design or location. Use the tips in this article to determine which technologies will work for you.