If you’re like other people, you probably don’t think about the impact that your home-energy use has on the environment. Whether you know it or not, many things you do affect the environment. You can use green energy in countless ways to keep the environment a happier place. Use this advice to learn how to start using green energy.
If you have storm windows and doors in your home it helps control air flow. The cold air which comes in from drafts can be reduced with proper care for doors and windows. Storm doors and windows can increase a home’s energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.
Putting on a few more layers can help you save money in the winter. A thin sweater will provide you with two degrees of additional heat, while a heavier item will add four. So, to save some money, pick up a nice warm sweater and refrain from dressing scantily.
Passive Power
If you are interested in solar power learn about the difference between active and passive power. Active solar power is stored so it can be used later, but passive doesn’t need pricey solar panel cells to store power. To use active power, you must install mechanical systems, cells and solar panels. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
Watch for state and federal tax incentives for upgrading your home to use renewable energy sources. Sometimes, your local utility company can give you a rebate based on what the upgrades cost. Other times, you may be eligible for credits or tax deductions from the federal or state government. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. 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. In other words, choose paperless options anytime you can. You will save valuable energy and help the businesses you use to save also. Finally, it will also save trees and reduce pollution a great deal in very little time.
Use biofuels to heat up your home. These fuels come from vegetable or animal fats, wood, and oils. If you have a propane furnace a professional may be able to convert your furnace to a bio-fuel furnace. You would want to use roughly 20-99 percent bio-fuel, depending on your house size and what a professional thinks is right. Professionals should be consulted before any changes are made to your current furnace.
Carpool so you can use less fuel. If you are a parent, set up a neighborhood carpool and take turns with the other parents. If you live near another family and friends, then synchronize your grocery shopping days and take turns being the driver.
An on-demand hot water heater is a good way to stay green. Traditional water heaters run constantly, heating the water when it’s completely unnecessary. A on-demand water heater will only heat your water when you need it, which saves a ton of money and energy.
Many people don’t turn off appliances when not using them. This simple action can save anyone a lot of money on monthly bills. Put the idea in your consciousness and remember to turn them off.
Consider bamboo items when making a wood purchase. Bamboo is a green, grass product, but it is much stronger than most of the commercial wood types. It grows quickly and can be used and sold for a variety of purposes, from cutting boards to flooring. This can save energy in the manufacturing process, as well as saving in recycling costs later.
Use automatic light sensors that have motion detectors for your busiest rooms. Use these sensors to turn the lights off when no one is in the room, which will save you money as you use less energy. Also remember to do this outside for your garage’s lighting, too.
60 Degrees
When you are sleeping, or not at home, set your thermostat to 60 degrees to save energy. 60 degrees uses the smallest amount of possible energy. This helps greatly reduce your energy consumption and saves you money.
Get a greener home by making more responsible light usage a priority. Don’t turn on the lights until a certain time, during the brighter months. Use dimmers to cut down on light use, and use sensors and timers to make sure that lights aren’t kept on if no one is inside the room.
Frozen foods can be thawed out in the fridge. This is a better way to thaw food, and the cold air that comes from your frozen foods will make your refrigerator cooler, thereby, cutting the energy consumption from your fridge.
Anyone who wants to cut down the amount of energy they use should make ice themselves. Automatic ice maker use lots of extra energy and usually break down. Additionally, the freezer’s temperature will increase if the ice maker’s seal is damaged. So, avoid these type of problems and make your own ice.
Buy a home monitor for energy so you can keep track of what your home uses. They collect measurement of energy usage and estimate your bill. Research has shown that consumers can reduce their consumption when they see what they’re paying to run appliances and other home necessities.
You may not consider the environment much on a daily basis; and you have plenty of company. Yet you can now change this, now that you understand how to go green you can make the necessary changes in your life. These tips will help you to improve the sustainable nature of your own home.
