When you go green you don’t have to hurt your wallet, and it doesn’t take a lot of time either. By just switching up a few things, your home can use much less energy. Keep reading to discover how green energy can be used for your advantage, as well as making a permanent positive impact on the environment.
Simply lessening the amount of daily energy consumption can save lots of energy. Unplug appliances that aren’t in use. Also, remember to turn off lights when they are not needed. This simple suggestion helps cut your electricity bills.
The U.S. Government makes grant funds available as an incentive for consumers to start using green energy. Ask at your local municipality office to research what types of programs might be available to you. Depending on your local energy programs, you could end up getting a renewable energy system set up for your home for free.
A solar water heater may be a viable option in your home. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. It’s a good idea to use a supplemental water heater, however, if you cannot count on constant sunshine or if your hot water consumption is high.
Check out all the different resources your community has available for energy. Find out what the cost of using these utilities to run your home would be. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.
Only using the dishwasher when it is full will save you money and energy. The machine should not be used when only a few dishes need to be washed. A dishwasher can surprisingly hold a lot of dishes. Experiment with different ways of loading the dishwasher in order to fit in as many dishes as possible.
If you’re not using an appliance, turn it off. When you leave an area take the time to turn off lights, televisions, stereos, computers, and other electrical items you are not going to be using. Connect your home electronics to a power strip and unplug it when they are not in use. Phantom power draws from electronics in standby mode is a big problem.
Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. You can go shopping for a solar system that will heat your water. There are direct circulation systems as well as indirect systems. If you have been plagued by frozen or broken pipes in the past, an indirect one could be for you.
When determining the economical impact of a PV solar system, be sure to run a calculation using the hours of winter sunlight. 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’re using a net-usage plan, in the summer you’ll get cash back from your utility provider.
Wearing warmer clothes helps slash energy costs as you go green. You can wear a heavy sweater instead of a light one to give yourself more warmth when you’re at home. You don’t have to worry about wearing too little at home so consider getting a sweater to save money.
Whenever possible, keep the heat in your home turned down. If it’s a bit chilly, put sweatpants or a sweatshirt on. High levels of heat use too much energy.
A good energy saving tip at home when cooking is to always use a microwave when possible. When cooking on, or within, the stove, a lot of energy is used. Whenever possible, heat things in the microwave to cut energy costs.
Consider bamboo as an option over wood products. Although bamboo is technically a grass, it has more strength than most commercial woods. It replenishes itself rapidly, unlike most woods, and can be used for flooring, furniture and nearly any other wood product. The products are more affordable due to a reduction in the cost of manufacturing products.
Energy Star
A simple way to locate appliances and products that are energy efficient is to see if they have an Energy Star logo. ENERGY STAR appliances must meet all the guidelines which have been established by the U.S. Department of Energy plus those of the Environmental Protection Agency. Sometimes these products offer tax rebates.
Although some don’t believe in climate change, you can still benefit from green energy in your home. Using some of the ideas above, you can make changes one at a time can save money yearly on your electric bill.