Going green benefits your home and the environment. There are some easy ways to reduce your energy use and save money by being more efficient in your home. Keep reading to learn how to save energy and money.
Solar panels can be easily installed on your home and are used to collect energy from the sun for use in your home. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. A big consideration is how much sunlight does your home typically receive? If your home is mostly in the shade, or if you live in a location that receives little sun, your power gain may be minimal.
If you’d like to cut down your hot water bill, look into using solar energy. Upgrade your hot water system to one that’s solar-powered. Your choices include an indirect or direct circulation system. If your pipes freeze when it’s cold, the best option is the indirect system.
Try using cold water in the washing machine whenever it is possible. 90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating up water. Because of this, using warm water will just increase your monthly utility bill and decrease the amount of money you have at the end of the month.
Are you still using oil heat? You could switch to a greener solution without replacing your furnace. Find a qualified technician to inspect your system and make sure you can switch to a biofuel. Biofuels are non-toxic, degradable and renewable sources of energy that you will be able to re-use.
Replace an energy-hogging water heating tank with a greener, tankless variety. Tankless heaters still use electricity or gas to provide hot water, but they only heat the water you actually need. You can get a tankless heater that will supply the whole house or one that supplies a single hot-water faucet.
Look into using recycled or rechargeable batteries for the items that require batteries. Disposable batteries cost a lot of money to produce and they also contain toxic chemicals which are bad for the environment. By switching to recycled or rechargeable batteries, you will be keeping these chemicals away from our environment.
If you are in favor of using green energy to save money as well as to help the environment, try using an energy system that omits fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, as these tend to emit carbon dioxide. Instead, use a renewable energy system such as solar, wind or hydro-power.
Try switching to CFLs. The compact fluorescent bulbs tend to use about 75 percent less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs do, plus they last around 10 times longer. They are pricier than the traditional bulbs, but it takes only a few months to make up for it in energy savings.
If you are attempting to save more money on your utility bills, try selecting a utility company whose focus is on renewable energy. Renewable energy, such as wind power, can help drastically decrease the amount of energy that is used in the home. As a result, you can experience increased savings.
If specific areas of your home feel cold or drafty, then chances are they are not properly sealed or insulated. These deficiencies can greatly increase the cost of heating or cooling your home and are often an easy fix. Seal any holes you identify and get a price estimate for adding insulation to thin walls.
An easy way to make your home greener is to replace your old light fixtures with ones, which are ENERGY STAR qualified. If you are unable to install ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures at the moment, at least replace your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which use much less energy.
Consider carpooling for different occasions to save on fuel costs. If you have children, you can have a neighborhood carpool and switch with the other parents every day. You could also start doing your grocery shopping with neighbors or friends and switch on and off with who does the driving.
Use the power of the sun to help you heat your home. By installing large windows or glass patio doors on the south side of your home, you can catch the morning sun. This free energy will heat your room for a few hours each morning and cut down on heating costs.
Seal any air leaks in your home. Air leakage, or infiltration typically occurs when the outside air enters your house uncontrollably via openings and cracks. You can properly seal these openings and cracks via sealant or weatherstripping. This greatly reduces cooling and heating costs, betters your building’s durability, and helps you mainatain a healthier home environment.
A great way to go green is to replace your regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent lights or LED’s. These light bulbs use about one fifth of the energy as regular light bulbs but can last up to twelve times longer. They also don’t generate as much heat so they are particularly useful in the summer months.
Use the weight of your car to save gas while you are driving. You can increase the miles per gallon of your car by reducing the use of your gas pedal and also your brake. Stop accelerating at least one eighth of a mile before each stop and cut down on fuel usage.
Don’t use your dishwasher until you have a full load. Make sure your dishwasher is full before using it, hecause it takes the same amount of water and energy to wash a full load as it does half a load. Use the shortest cycle possible, if you can, turn the dishwasher off prior to the drying cycle, opening the door. This allows the dishes to air dry.
As said previously in this article, going green doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming! You can make a few changes in your home and save money spent on electricity. Remember these tips and share them to see improvements in the environment!
