It might seem to take a great deal of work to switch to green energy, but that is false; it can be very easy. Whenever making small changes, you help the environment. Use some of the effective tips below to begin the change to green energy in your home.
Heat your pools, hot tubs and showers more efficiently with a solar hot water system. This is also a very efficient way to heat water and keep it at the proper temperature. These types of upgrades, while more costly at first, may qualify you for a green energy deduction on your taxes.
When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. Almost 90% of energy consumption during clothes being washed is a result of the hot water usage. As long as the washing detergent you use is reliable, using cold water instead of hot water will wash your clothes just as well. Furthermore, bear in mind that you will get maximum efficiency from washing a load that is full, rather then multiple small loads.
Heating your water with the power of the sun can be very efficient. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. Yet make sure that you also have a regular water heater as well just in case the sun decides to not come out for awhile.
Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your clothes in the sun to dry in the summer months. Using the sun can make clothes smell a lot better. You clothes will smell clean and fresh when line dried. Additionally, you will end up saving lots of money each month on utility bills.
If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Running it with half loads is wasteful. A dishwasher can surprisingly hold a lot of dishes. Carefully align your dishes so that you can place as many dishes into it as possible.
Batteries need to be situated closely to the cells in solar power systems. Power is less likely to be lost in cables this way. It also lowers the possibility of shading the cable cells and lessening their output capacity.
If you are building a new home or are in the market for a new water heater, consider a tankless model. Even though you still need electricity or gas in order to heat water with these tanks, they use only the water you need instead of always keeping your whole tank heated. You can find tankless heaters that either supply an entire house, or just a single faucet.
Hire experts to check your plumbing and heating systems before investing a lot of money in installing new, greener systems. These professionals can point out inefficient appliances and systems, and they can also help you determine how much it might cost to upgrade them.
Unless cold temperatures become a real problem, it is better to keep the heat turned down. Wear sweatpants and a sweater if you are chilly. When heat is turned very high, vast amounts of energy are wasted.
When decorating for the holidays you should forgo traditional lights and get LED lights instead. The use of LED lights reduces the use of electricity according to research. A study by the Department of Energy needs everyone to make this change. Over 200,000 homes can be powered for a full year with that amount of energy. At least, you can save money on your electricity!
Percent Less Energy
Replace old, energy-hogging appliances with new versions that are Energy Star rated. An Energy Star appliance is built to use less energy than non-Energy Star appliances. For freezers and refrigerators the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy utilized, dishwashers 40 percent, and washing machines as much as 50 percent less energy used!
Many people typically don’t turn off lights, machines and appliances that they are not using. If someone did that every day, they would slash their energy bill a great deal. Think about your actions and turn off things you are not using.
Bamboo is a wonderful option to consider in your home. Bamboo is a strong and durable option for flooring, cutting boards and furniture. It grows fast and is made for several products like furniture or flooring. Thanks to this, energy is saved when it comes to production and recycling.
If you can, check into windows for your home that are energy-efficient. Some of the benefits you will see include lower electric bills, a more quiet home, less carbon dioxide and a smaller amount of window condensation.
Energy Star
Any appliances that have this guarantee will most likely have an Energy Star logo branded on them somewhere. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines from the U.S. Energy Department and those of the EPA. You will find tax rebates available for these types of products, specifically.
Turn your thermostat to 60 when you are away from home and also at bedtime. When your home is at 60 degrees, it is using the least amount of energy possible. This results in saving money and energy.
Don’t stop using your ceiling fans in the winter. Change to the winter clockwise rotation to return the warm air down towards the room and put less stress on your heater. The little electricity used to run your fan is offset by what you save with your energy costs due to needing the furnace less often.
You can shave a significant amount from your utility bills by installing a programmable thermostat. These types of thermostats are already programmed, or preset, to adjust temperatures accordingly for colder and warmer months throughout the year. They can also be used to schedule your daily heating.
It does not have to be all that complicated to go green. As this article has shown, there are plenty of easy ways to make your life a little bit greener. Use the tips in this article as soon as possible. Although going green may not take much effort, it can result in a lot of benefits to you.
