When you’re coming up with a design for your outdoor lighting project, think about getting lamps that are solar powered. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. This not only saves energy. You also don’t need to hang lights or wires outdoors.
What will green energy help you accomplish? It lowers utility bills and lets you help out the environment. Can you help our planet fight for survival? Keep reading for insight on how to make this positive step.
Are you the owner of a farm? If you do happen to own some farmland, try renting some of the land to a power company that specializes in wind energy solutions. Not only will the turbine use minimal land, it can provide you with free energy.
Lower heating costs with solar heating systems for your pools or hot tubs. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. Although some of these systems cost more initially, many qualify for tax credits or deductions.
It is beneficial to maintain your refrigerator to keep it working efficiently. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape. Make sure you clean out any dust from around heating coils. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
A simple way to save energy is to close the curtains. Using curtains or blinds is a good way to block unwanted sunlight. These actions will reduce the air conditioning usage during the hot summer months, and yet your home will still remain cooler. The result is a significant energy savings and money in your pocket!
If you can afford it, invest in a laptop rather than using a desktop as they tend to use more energy. Laptops use only about one quarter of the power consumption of a full desktop, and is ideal for those that use their computer for surfing the Internet or word processing. An added bonus is the portability of a laptop- you can take it anywhere you go!
Wear natural fabrics instead of using the air conditioning in the summer. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw moisture naturally from the skin, making it cooler. Wearing lighter colors will also help, because they tend to reflect light.
The next time you decorate your home or tree for the holiday season, use LED lights instead of standard light strands. Research has shown that in the United States alone, more than two billion kilowatt hours worth of power could be saved if everyone made this transition. The Department of Energy says that if everyone did this, the country would conserve more than 2 billion kilowatt power hours. That amount of power could run 200,000 homes for one full year. You can at least look forward to saving money on your energy bills!
There are grants that can help you invest in green energy. Check with the local government and see what programs are available to you. It may be possible for you to get wind or solar installation for free, or you may be able to get a deductions on your taxes.
Switch your toilets to one of the newer, water-saving varieties. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Older toilets use around five gallons of water for every flush. This is about 3 times the amount of a green toilet.
If you use fuel oil to heat your home, ask a professional if you can use biodiesel. Depending on your system, you may be able to switch to biodiesel without having to make any modifications to your system. Biodiesel will burn cleaner than petroleum, which helps to protect the environment.
All energy efficient products will include the Energy Star designation and logo. Any products that have the ENERGY STAR logo are in compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the EPA. If you want to claim a green energy tax rebate, you’ll likely need to buy one of these products to qualify.
Learn about energy sources within your community. Find out what the cost would be to switch, how much it would cost to maintain, and whether your government has any legislation regarding its use. Think about switching to natural gas or well water as examples of simple changes.
One way to make your home use less energy is to weatherize it. Weatherizing your home by installing energy efficient windows and adding insulation will have a profound effect on your heating bills. You will also love the financial benefits that these simple changes can bring!
Green Energy
Look at the seals on your freezer and refrigerator often to save energy. A seal that’s broken will result in your fridge running more than it needs to. This is a waste of money and energy. To determine whether you need to replace your seal, place a thin sheet of paper in the door and see to it that it doesn’t slide out easily.
Many consumers have considered green energy, but a large number never try to figure out how to take advantage of it or learn how to use it. Now that you have read this article, you should be more aware of the different ways you can include green energy technology at home as quickly as possible.
Reduce your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees, and you can go green while saving money on your utility bills. A four-person household could save up to 10% on gas or electric bills, and your hot water temperature will still be hot enough to be safe.