Many people want to have a greener life but are unsure how to start. There are countless solutions for helping people preserve the environment by using renewable, alternative sources of energy. This article will provide you with tips so you can make greater use of green energy today.
Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. Solar water heaters use solar energy in an efficient way to heat your water. Certain upgrades, though expensive, qualify for specific tax deductions.
You could easily have solar panels in your house to collect energy from the sun for you to use. However, before beginning this process, you need to realize a few things. Think about the amount of sunlight that hits your house on an average day. If you live somewhere where the sun doesn’t shine often, or in a shady location, you won’t get as much benefit from solar power.
Take the time to clean or replace your furnace every season. Monthly checks will assure your furnace never has to work hard. It is also a good idea to install filters on warm-air registers. Having filters prevents debris from building up inside your heating ducts, which would hinder the energy efficiency of your heating system.
Think about getting solar heaters to heat up your water at home. The heater uses solar energy to heat water before sending it to your home. This can be useful if your home isn’t located in an area with cold temperatures. However, consider that you may still need a traditional heater if you will be using a great deal of hot water, or if the sun does not come out for some time.
Turn it off. Turn it off. Turn it off. Upon leaving a particular room, remember to turn of the lights, television, computer or even the entertainment center. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Replace a water heater that is tank-style, with a model that is green and has no tank. Even though these green versions of water heaters still use electricity or gas, they only need it to warm the water you’re using instead of heating it at all times. There are tankless heaters that can supply just one single faucet with water that is hot, but there are also models which supply the whole home.
Hire experts to check your plumbing and heating systems before investing a lot of money in installing new, greener systems. They can tell you if your appliances are running efficiently, and if there are changes you can make. They may also be able to offer estimates as to what it would cost to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
Opt out of snail mail where possible, and choose to get bills and notices by email. Basically, this means using as little paper as possible. Going paperless helps the environment by limiting the amount of deforestation as well as the energy costs associated with paper communications. Finally, it will also save trees and reduce pollution a great deal in very little time.
Buy a solar oven to provide for the needs of your kitchen. Common items, such as a heavy cardboard box, some shiny foil and an old window are all that you need. These ovens can be quickly assembled, and reach 300 degrees in temperature simply using the sun.
A microwave is a more energy efficient appliance than a stove, so consider using it more often. Ovens and stoves use lots more energy to prepare food than microwaves. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can to cut down on your overall energy consumption.
Install a toilet that uses less water. It’s estimated that as much as fifty percent of your water usage comes from the toilet. Older toilet models use up to 70 percent more water per year than newer ones.
Use an on-demand water heater to save energy. Old fashioned heaters run constantly, heating the water even when not needed, therefore wasting energy. On-demand models provide hot water instantly when necessary, instead of continuously throughout the day, saving you money and energy.
The number of lights that are left on, or appliances that are run half full is astounding. This simple action can save anyone a lot of money on monthly bills. Think in advance about what you need to do, and make it a habit to turn off anything that you are no longer using.
Replace your old windows with newer, energy-efficient windows. There are so many benefits in having new windows, including the money you will save on energy, the reduction of drafts and the fact that your home will no longer be damaged from condensation.
Put lights sensors with motion detectors in the rooms you use the most. These will turn off lights in rooms if you aren’t in them, which will save money and energy. Don’t forget to also include the outdoor lighting above your garage, too!
Save money on your heating bill by heating every room separately. A good way to get that done is to use floor heating that has a main board for allowing you to set a certain temperature in different areas. This is a great idea for large homes.
Place your fridge in a cool room to save energy. Do all you can to keep them away from heating vents or direct sunlight as this will raise the temperature and cause them to run longer.
As you read from the article above, green energy technology is a subject that dominates politics today as the price of oil has only gone up. When you’re knowledgeable, it is easy to go green. Utilize the tips and advice you have read here, and you will be well on your way to living a greener life.
