If you’d like to help the environment and save some money on your energy bills, there’s no better way to do it than using green energy. Purchasing an electric car is not necessary! In the article below you will find easy tips for making your home as energy efficient as you want it to be.
Making small adjustments to the way you use energy every day can ultimately reduce your consumption. Unplug appliances that aren’t in use. When you are no longer using them, turn off lights and the television. This simple tip can save you a lot of money.
When creating an outdoor light set up for a garden path or patio, think of solar powered lamps as an option. Solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and can save you a great deal on wiring and electricity expenses. This will save you a ton of energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Lighter colors also make you feel cooler.
Wind Turbine
Do you have your own farm? If you have a lot of land, energy companies will pay you for the right to set up a wind turbine on it. The wind turbine will provide free energy without taking up much room. Your neighbors will also benefit from this energy source.
Whenever possible, you should use cold water to wash your clothes. Almost 90 percent of energy consumed by washing machines is used when heating the water. If your laundry detergent is a high quality brand, the use of cold water won’t affect the cleanliness of your clothing. It is also better to clean a full load, not smaller loads.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full in order to save energy and money. Properly loading the dishwasher prior to running it will save both energy and money. You may be quite surprised at the number of dishes your dishwasher can handle in one load. Try your best to align your dishes properly so that you maximize your space in your dishwasher, play Tetris with your dishwasher.
Solar power can heat water for a low cost. You can purchase a hot-water system that is run by solar energy. You have a choice between both an indirect or direct circulation system. The indirect one is your best option if you have to worry about frozen pipes in the winter.
Maintaining your refrigerator is an easy way to save energy. You have to ensure it is in great working condition, as it sucks up energy like a sponge. Make a regular habit of removing dust from the refrigerator’s heating coils. Additionally, you should ensure that the door seal is both tight and free of dirt.
Get as many pieces of mail electronically as possible. In other words, go paperless as much as possible. This will not only help businesses lower their energy costs, but you as well. You also help others by protecting the environment as well.
Keep track of your watt usage. Use gadgets like the Watt Minder and the Kill-A-Watt so that you can discover what uses the most energy. Using these devices with your appliances will tell you how much energy is used. This can show what your appliance is costing you.
In order to keep up with energy efficiency goals, compare all your energy bills to previous year to see how much progress you are making. Being conscious when it comes to your energy expenditures could help significantly reduce them. It can be hard at first, but once you make conserving energy a routine it will become second nature to you, and will pay off greatly on your energy bills.
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. Also, create a joint grocery shopping day with friends or family.
Replace old appliances with those labeled Energy Star. This is your guarantee that your new appliances will use less energy, and therefore cost you less to run. This rating can promise anywhere from a 20-50% difference in energy costs, depending on the brand and the specific appliance.
If you spend the additional money to purchase green appliances and electronics, over a period of time it will pay off. Since you won’t pay as much on utilities, it is worth spending more money on green technologies initially. It also pays off in the future for the environment.
If you can, check into windows for your home that are energy-efficient. The benefits to new windows will be seen in lower energy bills, less outside noise, less carbon dioxide, and less condensation on the windows.
If you could not get an energy source that is renewable, such as solar energy to use for your whole house, try to see if you could get power installed to power a portion of your home. For example, get panels installed which will only heat hot water, or ones that specifically heat your basement.
Your refrigerator and freezer should not be in a warm area. Try to keep these appliances out of direct sunlight or heating vents, as this can raise the temperature, causing them to run for longer periods of time.
Using light bulbs that are energy-efficient, or cleaning your furnace filter, are great ways to save energy. When your friends and family see you going green, they’ll be inspired and want to go green too. Remember the tips you have read here, and start implementing them into your household today.