Green Energy Tips: Is This Eco-Friendly Option Right For You?
Protecting our environment is one of the most important things we, as human beings, can do. Environmentally friendly energy comes in many forms, such as solar and wind power. Are you wondering how to go green? Reading this article will help your learn how.
A simple way to save energy is to close the curtains. You can also try putting blinds or curtains in. If you do these things, you will cut your use of air conditioning throughout the warm months, as your home will be a bit cooler. By blocking the sun’s rays, you will save energy and money.
Olored Clothing
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Cotton and other fabrics draw sweat from the skin and make you cool. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
Every year, replace your furnace’s filters, and every month, see if they require a cleaning. Warm-air registers can also benefit from filters. These filters keep children’s toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. Washing clothes in cold water can be just as effective as a warm cycle, especially with today’s cold water detergents. Also, make sure your load is a full one so you do not waste energy washing several small loads.
Find out about various energy sources that are available in your area. Check to see how much it would cost to run your home with these other utilities, and remember to take into account the government bonuses that are sometimes available. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.
Install batteries very close to cells when you are putting together a solar energy system. Power can be lost over long cables so this will lessen the impact. It also prevents the cable covering the cells, which would reduce their generation capability.
Maintain your refrigerator well. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape. Make certain to clean the dust that surrounds heating coils periodically. Check the door seal for dirt, debris and leaks.
Dress more warmly to be green and reduce energy costs. A sweater that is heavy adds 4 more degrees of warmth, and a lighter sweater adds 2 degrees. You don’t need to dress lightly inside, so wear a sweater!
Solar Oven
Try using a solar oven for your baking needs. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. These ovens are no slouches. They can be heated up to 300 degrees, consume no energy, and are simple to construct.
If you aspire to live a green, environmentally friendly lifestyle, there are many options for you. Even if you don’t have a ton of money, you can do simple things, like monthly cleaning of the filters in your furnace or lowering the thermostat to 60 degrees when you’re not going to be home. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. No change is too small.
You can use biofuel to heat your own home. These fuels are comprised of oils, woods, vegetable, or animal fats. A propane furnace can be converted to use these types of fuels, or fuel blends. Fuels are anywhere from 20-99 percent biodiesel. Just be sure to consult with a professional before attempting to use this fuel in your home.
Use a microwave as often as you can to save energy at home. Your stove and your oven use a significantly higher amount of energy than does your microwave. So, pop your food in the microwave and avoid wasting energy to heat it.
It will pay off over time if you spend more on green efficient products in the future. Although green technology is a bit more expensive, it quickly pays for itself in lower bills. It will also make a big difference for the environment.
Install automatic light sensors with motion detection into your most highly trafficked rooms. If nobody is using the room, the sensors will turn the lights off; this saves energy and money. Also try this on your outdoor lights, so that they only turn on when there is someone there.
Solar Panels
Solar panels can be a great addition for your home, making it more efficient and greener. While you do make a large investment when you begin, the government offers grants to help you offset the costs, and you’ll make the money back in utility bill reduction or selling the extra energy you create back to the grid. 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.
Make full use of ceiling fans between November and March. By switching them to clockwise rotation, you can use them to push warm air down from the ceiling where it pools, reducing the demands on your furnace or other heating appliance. The amount it costs to run ceiling fans is insignificant compared to the amount of energy necessary to run your furnace.
Use light with greater responsibility to make your home greener. During months that are sunnier, don’t use your lights until later in the evening. Dimmers can cut the amount of energy lights consume. You should also consider sensors that will turn off lights when people exit the room.
We need to be using more green forms of energy, now more than before. While every source of power will impact the world in some way, green sources are the best options for lowering our impact on the world we live in. Now that you have read this article, you are aware of how to make the proper changes in your life to be more green.