It is up to us to care for planet Earth to ensure that future generations can enjoy its splendor. Green energy is a renewable way to power our lives without damaging our environment. Read on for some tips on using green energy efficiently and cost-effectively.
If your home has a pool or hot tub, look into a solar water heating system. Installing a solar water heating system costs about the same as a conventional system, but operating costs will be lower. Repair costs for solar heating systems are often lower as well.
The government has set up several incentive programs to help consumers switch to renewable energy sources. Talk to your local government and figure out what programs are in the area. For example, you may be able to qualify for a grant for the installation of solar or wind-powered technologies.
Solar panels are easy to install. However, before you do this, there are a few things that you need to take care of. The most important consideration is how much your home is exposed to sunlight. Shade is valuable in some respects, but when you are considering solar energy, it can be a complicating factor.
Turn off appliances if you are not using them. When an area of the home is not being used, make sure that all TVs, lights, and computers are turned off. Put all of your entertainment electronics on a power strip you can turn off, which will stop appliances from going into a power-draining stand-by mode.
You should never use a small amount of warm water all at once. Doing this will gradually increase your overall energy usage. Instead, try using all the warm water you plan on using immediately. For example, you should try having all your family members take a quick shower at once.
A good way to begin your quest for green energy is to use alternative sources to heat your home. While wood stoves have been relied upon for countless years, the newer trend is toward pellet stoves. The pellets are composed of compressed sawdust and take up far less space than a woodpile.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. This way, you aren’t beyond your capacity in the winter, and you have plenty of excess power in the summer. If you’re using a net usage plan, you’ll receive money back from your utility company for the energy you’re generating during the summer!
Keep your refrigerator well maintained. The refrigerator hogs energy, so it should work well. Make sure you clean out any dust from around heating coils. Also, ensure that the rubber seals around the doors are clean and make tight contact.
Use solar hot water. By installing a solar hot water system, you can use solar power to heat the water you use for everything in your home. It will work for your showers, washing dishes, and doing laundry. If you are worried about not getting enough sun, you can invest in a small, traditional water heater.
You do not have to spend a lot to be a green energy consumer. You can change your habits and be green. You can save big by driving the speed limit and not overusing your gas pedal. You can save as much as 20 percent on gas if you follow those two rules.
Buy a programmable thermostat. An Energy Star programmable thermostat will regulate your home’s temperature year-round, both day and night. Always set your thermostat a couple of degrees less than you think the temperature should be, as you won’t notice the difference in your home. An Energy Star thermostat will save you about $180 a year in heating costs.
If you’re one of many people who want to have a greener life and you desire to save our planet’s energy, there are lots of things that you can do. You might not have the money to invest in a solar panel array, but you can commit to cleaning your furnace filters once per month and setting your thermostat to 60 degrees while you are out. Lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120 can also help reduce costs. Even small steps that you take can add up to a big difference!
Consider carpooling for more than work to cut back on your fuel usage. If you live in a neighborhood with lots of children, try setting up a ride-sharing service where you trade rides with other parents in the neighborhood. If you are near friends and family, go food shopping together and take turns driving.
Make your home’s energy efficiency a sure thing by installing a programmable thermostat and putting other appliances on timers. Set your thermostat for different temperatures at different times of the day, depending on who is or is not home. Likewise, set appliances on timers that shut them off regardless of whether or not anyone is home.
Invest in green technologies to ensure their proliferation. Consumers are a powerful group that can exercise that power by selective purchasing. If you want to encourage the use of renewable energy, purchase products, vehicles, and electronics that utilize these technologies. If consumers insist on green technologies, companies will produce items that use green technologies.
Pack your lunch when going to work or out for the day. This saves money and improves the environment by using fewer “consumables” that inevitably come with meals ordered out. You can reuse the containers you used for your lunch, and it only takes a small space in your bag or purse.
Conclusion:
What you’ve read here is just a drop in the pond of green energy information. Continue seeking new knowledge, and use what you learn in your daily life to keep the Earth clean and alive while still powering all the modern amenities you need to make life a little easier.
