You might have been aware of the positives of solar panels like saving money and conserving energy. Some of the benefits of installing solar panels on your home include government incentives and contributing to an ecologically friendly environment. The tips in this article should give you a good idea of the positive aspects of solar power and where you can buy a system.
Lower the cost of heating your indoor water, pools and hot tubs by switching to solar water heating systems. When you heat water with natural gas or electricity, it isn’t as efficient as using a solar alternative. These types of upgrades, while more costly at first, may qualify you for a green energy deduction on your taxes.
Use natural fabrics in the summer instead of turning up the AC. Cotton and linen wick away moisture from your skin so that you stay cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
You can easily get solar panels installed in your home to collect solar energy for your use. It is important, however, that you do your homework before making the leap. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? If the area is shady, or you are in a region that doesn’t receive much sunshine, then you won’t be gaining much power.
Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water. Cold water will do the job just as well; all you need is an effective clothes washing detergent. Additionally, do not run the washer until it is full so as to maximize your energy use.
Cover your windows when no one is at home. This cools your home’s interior and keeps energy usage down while you’re away. Typically, windows that face south are positioned so that they receive the most sun. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.
Sweater Gives
Dressing warmly can help you reduce energy and go green. A light sweater gives you 2 extra degrees of warmth, while a heavy sweater gives you 4 degrees. It’s not necessary to wear so little at home, so out on a sweatshirt and save some cash!
Hiring professionals, such as a heating professional or plumber, to come to your home can lay any doubts you have about green energy to rest. They will be able to tell you how much money you are losing on inefficient appliances, and they can also give you an accurate estimate of what it will cost to upgrade or replace your systems.
Use e-mail over snail mail as much as possible. Specifically, go paperless whenever you can. Businesses will have a much easier time communicating with you, and they will be saving energy. You also help others by protecting the environment as well.
Monitor how many watts you use. There are many items on the market you can buy to track your energy use, such as the Kill-a-Watt. Plug your appliances in to these devices to find out what amount of energy is required each year, month or hour to run it. This can show what your appliance is costing you.
If you’re one of many who wants to live an environmentally friendly life, there’s plenty you can do. You can do things like clean your furnace or change the settings to 60 degrees when you aren’t at home. Reducing the water heater temperature to 120 degrees can save money too. Every little thing you do helps!
Carpooling doesn’t have to be just for work. If your kids share activities with other children in the neighborhood, there’s no reason not to carpool to them. If you have family or friends close to you, try going to the grocery store together and taking turns driving.
While turning your lights off to save energy is old advice, it’s still relevant. It is amazing how the energy savings add up once you get into this habit. You will, of course, save a lot of money on your energy bill, as well.
As you have learned, choosing green energy for your home has many more benefits beyond the savings you will see in your monthly bill. They are easy to install and purchase, and could last for a long time. The environmental benefits couple with an increase in home value and function to make this a great choice in home renovation.