Many people do not know where to start with going green. Does it seem too expensive and hard for you to consider? Now is the time to make the changes that you want to make. Forget about anything negative you might have heard about green energy and continue reading to learn more about this great technology.
Cutting back on your daily electricity usage can save lots of energy over time. When not using a certain appliance, unplug it from the outlet. Turn off lights and the television when you are finished using them. These simple tips can save you money, as well as saving electricity.
Lower the heating costs of your water, hot tubs and pools by changing over to a heating system that is run by solar power. This is also a very efficient way to heat water and keep it at the proper temperature. These types of upgrades, while more costly at first, may qualify you for a green energy deduction on your taxes.
Natural Fabrics
Wear natural fabrics during the summer in order to avoid wasting energy on air conditioning. Natural fabrics, including cotton, cause moisture to move away from the body, which means it stays cooler. Wear lighter colors since warmer ones can make you warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.
Solar panels are easy to install and can collect sunlight for energy. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. You are not going to get much solar power if your home has too much shade.
Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Install window coverings like heavy curtains, drapes, roman or roller shades, or blinds on all windows.
Check what other energy sources are available in your neighborhood. Determine which energy source is cheapest for your home. Don’t forget to account for any government incentives that might be in effect. You might find that you could save money by switching from an electric furnace to a natural gas one, for instance, or from using municipal water to your own well water.
If you’re installing a solar energy system, be sure to place the batteries in close proximity to the cells. This helps prevent power loss in the cables. This also prevents the long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
An easy way to cut energy costs and go green is to dress warm. A thin sweater will provide you with two degrees of additional heat, while a heavier item will add four. It is unnecessary to dress scantily at home, so pick up a sweater and save some money!
Solar Panels
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. When it comes to active power, the energy is stored for later use, while passive doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power. Active power uses solar panels, cells and mechanical systems. Passive solar power is more basic and simply uses your home in its existing state as heat storage.
Increase your energy efficiency by making use of the right products that are designed for a greener environment. There are many options for green products, such as double-glazed windows or doors that are energy conscious. These products offer much more efficiency to your home. These products can assist you in reducing cooling and heating costs.
Keep up-to-date with tax rebates for making your home more energy-efficient. In some cases, the local utility company will offer rebates for the cost of the upgrades. You may also be able to get tax credits or deductions from the government for your upgrades. These rebates and credits can substantially reduce the cost of installing green energy technology in your home.
Have the bulk of your correspondence sent to your email. Live a paperless lifestyle whenever possible. You will save valuable energy and help the businesses you use to save also. Not to mention, it protects the environment for everyone.
Make use of a solar-powered oven for baking. You can make one out of a box, wood, and some foil. Ovens like this can be assembled quickly, reach temperatures in excess of 300 degrees, and do not require any energy besides the sun.
When the holiday season rolls around again, make the switch to LED lighting rather than sticking with traditional lighting solutions. Over two billion kilowatt power hours can be saved! The Energy Department showed that more than two billion kh of power could be saved if everyone made the switch. This electricity could power more than 200,000 houses for a year. All that said, you can at least save some money on your own energy costs!
A really good energy saving tip is to change your boiler. Many older boilers weren’t made to save energy, whereas the newer ones tend to be much more energy efficient. They can reduce your energy bill and they don’t produce as much carbon dioxide.
One easy way to go green is to use an on-demand water heater. The older models are constantly running, which ends up wasting energy. This type of point of use heater warms the water as it is required, and can result in significant cost savings.
You may be wondering what you have to do in order to make your home green, and to see its positive results. You now have an arsenal of tips at your disposal! Once you begin the process of changing over to green energy, you will be surprised by the results!
