You have probably heard green energy technologies mentioned, but you may not know exactly what they are. If you’re confused about what green-energy technology is or wondering why you should use it, this article will be of help to you. Keep reading to learn some of the best ways that green-energy can help your home.
Try to use cold water for washing clothes. Nearly 90% of the energy that is consumed when you wash your clothes is taken up heating the water. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Furthermore, remember to always wash a full load, as this is more energy efficient.
Cover your windows when no one is at home. This simple act blocks the sun from entering and heating your house in the summer, while in the winter, it keeps the heat from escaping through drafty windows. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Use coverings on each of your home’s windows, such as roman shades, dark curtains, or roller shades.
Think about buying solar water heaters for heating your water. Best for locations with a warmer climate, a solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to heat water that circulates through it. However, you should still have a traditional water heater as backup for times when the sun won’t come out or if you’re going to be using a lot of hot water.
A good way to save money is to only turn on your dishwasher when you have a full load ready to go. It’s sacrilege to turn it on with just one or two dishes inside. With a little effort, you will be amazed by how much you can fit in one load. Just make sure to align the dishes in an orderly manner to maximize the available space.
Hot water can be obtained in a low cost, environmentally friendly manner through solar energy. Purchase a solar water heating system. Indirect or direct circulation systems are both available. If you have been plagued by frozen or broken pipes in the past, an indirect one could be for you.
The batteries should be located near the solar energy cells when the system is being set up. Power can be lost in long cables so this will reduce this possibility. It also reduces shading of the solar shells. Shading reduces solar panel energy generation.
Use a laptop computer instead of a desktop, which uses more energy. Laptops use up to 75% less electricity than desktops, especially during non-demanding tasks like surfing the web or word processing. Plus you can take your laptop anywhere.
Take advantage of any federal or local rebates that you may be entitled to receive. In some cases, the local utility company will offer rebates for the cost of the upgrades. Tax deductions are also available from the government, sometimes. These credits and rebates could reduce the cost associated to installing green technology in your house.
Get as many pieces of mail electronically as possible. This will help you use less paper and help the planet. This helps to lower the energy costs of businesses as they communicate, and you can save energy as well. An added bonus is that everyone benefits by the protection of our environment.
A good tip is to always microwave when cooking in order to save energy. When cooking on, or within, the stove, a lot of energy is used. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can to cut down on your overall energy consumption.
On-demand water heaters are great energy savers. Traditional water heaters are always on and heating unused water, which is a tremendous waste of energy. The water heaters that heat on-demand only heat water that is immediatly needed and save a lot on energy costs.
Think about buying products that are made from bamboo when you are purchasing wood items. Bamboo is actually a grass but is very green and actually much stronger than most woods that are commercially available. Bamboo grows extremely fast and is currently being made into many products, from cutting board to flooring. This saves energy when it comes to the production and recycling of manufacturing products.
Your electric company can assist you in making your home energy-efficient. Many of the utility companies have added website tools that help you review your current energy usage and look for ways to reduce it. Look into programs that help you buy energy-efficient appliances.
If you spend the money on green appliances and electronics now, you’ll save over time. You usually have to pay a bit more upfront for green technologies, but you will save far more than the difference over time with reduced energy costs. The environment will also benefit.
Energy Star
One simple way to spot energy-efficient appliances is to check for an ENERGY STAR logo. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the EPA. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
When you are sleeping, or not at home, set your thermostat to 60 degrees to save energy. At 60 degrees you use the lowest amount of energy you could possibly use. You will decrease energy used and increase money saved.
Solar Panels
Solar panels can be used to help make your home green. While solar panels are a bit of an investment, they save a ton of money in the long run. Once you’ve made the initial investment in solar panels, you can actually pay them off and make money by selling energy back to the grid.
Now that you understand the basics of green technology, you are now ready to start using it in your home. Remember these tips so you can use this technology at home. There will be more than your wallet thanking you, when you begin to improve the environment through green energy methods.