One of the best ways that people can easily help the environment is by using green energy in their homes. There are simple adjustments and improvements that people can make in their homes that will have a significant positive impact on the environment. The following article is packed with information on how to do this.
Speak with your utility company about receiving your electric power from a renewable source. Many metropolitan areas get some of their power from hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, or wind powered plants. Often, the electric company can simply apply a certain amount of your electric bill to renewable energy without you needing to make any other changes.
If you are planning on switching to green energy, it can seem too discouraging to jump in and do it all at once. While an entire home and land can be overwhelming, try narrowing your efforts to one room at a time. A good first step is a bedroom, where you can use solar power for just a reading lamp and a radio or alarm clock. Then work up from there!
As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. You will have more than enough energy during the summer months, while avoiding falling short during the winter. If you are on a net usage plan, during the summer, you’ll receive money back from the utility company for the energy you generate!
If you want to save energy, try not to use your dishwasher very often. Instead, let your dishes air dry. Dishwashers tend to use a lot of energy and because they use so much power, your electricity and your water bill will be through the roof. If you have to use the dishwasher, put it on a low setting.
Measure the prevailing wind speed on your property before considering a wind generator. In order for wind energy to be cost-effective, you need a wind speed greater than 8.5 to 9 MPH at least sixty percent of the time. Any slower, and the turbine won’t spin fast enough to generate much electricity.
Wash your clothes in cold water. Clothes come just as clean if you use cold water instead of hot water, and making the switch can save a lot of energy. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is the energy the water heater uses to heat the water.
To incorporate green energy into your life, heat your home using biofuel instead of traditional fuels. This way, you can heat your home using renewable, biodegradable and generally, more environmentally friendly energy fairly easily. A wood or pellet stove is a great way to heat your home using biofuel products.
Keep your heat on at a moderate level. Don’t increase it unless it is a necessity. If it’s a bit chilly, put sweatpants or a sweatshirt on. Having the heat up high wastes a lot of energy.
To help you increase your clean-energy consumption, try using wind energy. 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.
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.
Try installing a toilet that saves water. Toilets account for approximately 50 percent of water usage in the average home. A traditional toilet uses up to 5 gallons for each flush of the toilet, but the newer models use as little at 1.6 gallons, which is a savings of 3.4 gallons with each flush.
If at all possible, consider switching your electric or oil heating to gas. This is both better for the environment and your pockets. Just be aware that this is can be a complicated job that should be taken on by a skilled expert, should you decide to make this switch.
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.
You can save energy by getting an automatic lighting system. Sensors will automatically detect when there is not enough natural light and your lighting system will be turned on at an intensity high enough to compensate with the declining natural light. This is a good solution if you tend to leave lights on.
A great old fashioned way to heat your home and to save on energy is to use a wood burner. There are newer, more modern versions of wood burners called pellet stoves. These stoves burn pellets that are made of compressed sawdust. Both of these methods of heat burn with few emissions and do not require an EPA certification.
Throw out your normal light bulbs, and use compact fluorescent bulbs instead. Often shortened to compact fluorescent bulbs use an amazing 75% less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs. Plus, the CFL bulbs last up to ten times as long, meaning you are not only saving a lot of energy but a lot of money too!
If you are unable to completely power your home using solar power, consider installing solar panels to power at least the lighting in your home. You can use solar panels to heat water, for example.
So there you have it, green energy is not only great for us, but for the environment. The best thing about it is how relatively simple it is to use in any home. All you need to do is use the information presented here and your home can harness the power of green energy.
