You have thought about looking into green energy on several occasions, but something about it seems too complicated and keeps you from actually doing it. The information presented in this article is just the information you need to help your home reap the benefits of green energy. So read on and see what changes you can make.
When building your home, could you pay attention to its orientation? An ideal home should be protected against overhead sun during the summer and be oriented so that it gets low-angle sun in the winter. This is a good way to save money on your heating bill and keep your home cool in the summer.
Go green on your coffee break by bringing your cup. If you usually order a Tall Latte at Starbucks, bring a tall re-usable coffee mug. Every time you ask your favorite coffee shop to mix your drink in your cup, you are helping to green your environment.
Are you currently using a wood-burning fireplace to decrease your dependence on fossil fuels? If so, remember to shut the flue damper very tightly when your fireplace is not being used. If you forget to do this, warm and cool air will easily escape from your house through the chimney.
Look for the Energy Star label when you purchase new appliances, like refrigerators, ranges, and washing machines. The United States Department of Energy recommends these products because they save energy. You will also save money by using them. Products that are energy efficient will usually have a star on them.
Take advantage of the wind. The cleanest source of alternative energy is wind energy. It can even cut your electric bill by up to 90 percent. You can run an energy audit before determining what size turbine you’ll need, but most houses require 5 to 15 kilowatts to produce 780 kilowatt-hours per month. Month.
Make small changes if you do not have much money to invest or do not have access to the kind of resources you need. Get a small solar power installation to provide power for one room only, and get a few solar cells to charge your cell phone and other devices, for instance.
To help you increase your clean-energy consumption, try using wind energy. The wind is a very clean type of alternative energy, and it can help you cut your electricity bill a ton. If this solution interests you, check with your local authority to ensure you have proper zoning and also ensure you have sufficient space.
Consider opting for a solar hot water heating system. If you must use hot water to run your dishwasher or do your laundry, a solar hot water system can benefit you. If you live in an area where freezing is not a concern, a direct circulation system will be perfect.
Insulating the home can prove to help reduce your home’s energy usage. Insulation can help keep heat inside the home during the cold winter months. In addition, it prevents the heat from entering your home during the summer. If your home’s insulation lacks, you should make sure you put in more of it.
Installing storm windows can go a long way in helping you save on energy costs. There are both interior and exterior options to choose from. Installing storm windows saves you anywhere from twenty-five to fifty percent of heat loss. Make sure to add weather-stripping at movable joints of the storm windows.
Stay in control of your energy consumption by getting a Bye Bye Standby device. This device is a motherboard into which you can plug in all your devices. You will be able to completely turn on and off any device that you are not using through this panel. It also gives you access to information about your power consumption.
Replace your windows with more energy-efficient ones. Windows with a better seal will reduce your energy bills, keep road noise out of your house, and limit window condensation.
Keep passive solar energy in mind when building or remodeling a home. Passive solar homes collect sunlight through specially-designed roofs, walls, windows, and flooring. Passive solar energy ranges from having windows angled to collect southern sun exposure to homes that are heated entirely with the use of the sun.
Sealing your home from the weather will help conserve energy. Sealing ducts, using energy-efficient windows, and adding insulation can reduce energy consumption. The lower energy use will also reduce your energy bill!
A tankless water heater is a great, “green” addition to any house. A tankless heater will heat your water at the source, meaning you aren’t storing heated water in a tank until you need to use it. The hot water is available almost immediately. This is an energy-efficient option that can be added to almost any home.
One of the easiest ways to save energy is to put your refrigerator and freezer away from any heat source. Don’t expose these appliances directly to sunlight or heat. If they absorb heat, their internal temperature will rise, and they will need more energy to run.
Consider replacing the heating oil in your home with biofuel. Biofuel is non-toxic and biodegradable. It comes from things like animal fats and vegetable fats. It can be just as efficient as petroleum-based oil, but the product will come at a significantly reduced cost. If you can’t switch over entirely, consider talking to a technician to see if switching to a blend might be an option.
Clean the filters in your air conditioner and dryer. Clean filters mean that your appliances use less energy, and less traditional energy means greener energy. Schedule a time to clean the filters, so you don’t forget. You might, for example, clean the filter for the dryer and air conditioner once every week.
Conclusion:
So as you can see, it is not that hard to make changes in your life that will help you take advantage of green energy. So, take that first step and see what even a small change can make. In return, you will make the world a better place for all.
