You may be surprised at how many cheap and easy ways there are to make your home more energy efficient. The point of this article is to arm you with the information needed to begin a lifestyle of being green in your energy consumption and save in the process.
Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.
One way to help conserve energy is to use window treatment to block sunlight. Do this by installing blinds or curtains. By using heavy window covering you house will remain cooler which will decrease the amount of air conditioning needed. You will save energy and money as well.
You can save electricity by unplugging chargers when they are not in use. Even if you are not charging your laptop, cell phone or mp3 player, just having it plugged in uses energy.
If you heat your home with fuel oil, inquire about switching over to biodiesel. A lot of times this can be done with minimal modifications to your existing system. Biodiesel is cleaner and more efficient to burn than oil, and it has a better affect on the environment.
When not at home, use window coverings. They will help to keep the temperature and the energy consumption of the house down when the house is vacant. Generally, your home’s south-facing walls and windows receive the most sun exposure. Dark drapes, or even energy-efficient lined drapes, are your best bet.
Research the different energy sources available in your community. Compare costs and look up regulations on green energy and tax incentives. It might be good to switch to natural gas or well water, as an example.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is a great way to get hot water at a low cost. Purchase a hot water system that uses solar energy. You could choose of having an indirect or direct circulation system. If you have been plagued by frozen or broken pipes in the past, an indirect one could be for you.
Fans of green energy should limit their use of electric heaters in the winter. Dress more warmly when around the house. Wear slippers and a heavy top, and light up your fireplace or pellet stove for increased warmth at low cost. Cool air while sleeping is better for your breathing.
Keep your heat on at a moderate level. Don’t increase it unless it is a necessity. Put on a sweater and sweatpants when it’s cold. Having the heat up high wastes a lot of energy.
Think about baking with a solar oven. Common items, such as a heavy cardboard box, some shiny foil and an old window are all that you need. Solar ovens can get hotter than 300 degrees, and doesn’t use any energy source besides the sun, so you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. There are many items on the market you can buy to track your energy use, such as the Kill-a-Watt. You can plug in various devices into these devices and see how much energy that item uses for periods of time including a hour, month, and even a year. This is helpful in showing you exactly what each appliance costs to run.
You should heat your home with biofuel. Bio-fuels consist of vegetable fat, animal fat, oils and wood. Many times, furnaces that are propane can be changed by a pro so that you can heat using this blend of fuels. This is between 20 to 99% biodiesel. Talk to a professional before using biofuel in the home.
Energy Star Rating
Trade in your old major appliances for new ones with the Energy Star rating. To receive an Energy Star rating from the government, appliances must meet minimum efficiency standards, unlike the non-rated appliances you may currently own. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy and dishwashers use 40% less. Energy Star rated washing machines save at least 50% of the energy used by the older styles and also save a lot of water.
The tips you just read are easy to use, so there is no excuse not to use them. You will feel better once you begin to adopt green energy in your home, so begin as soon as possible.