Putting in solar panels in your home for solar energy is easy. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. The most important thing you need to consider is the amount of sun your home gets regularly. If you home is under a lot of shade, or in an area where you do not have a lot of sunny days, the power gained from your solar unit will not be very significant.
You may not know a lot about green energy, but by making use of the advice and tips in this article, you will begin to see how helpful and important it is to you and the environment. There are many ways to use green energy inside your home and these tips can help.
When you are away from home, use window coverings. This cools your home’s interior and keeps energy usage down while you’re away. More often than not, south-facing windows will let in the most sun due to their positioning. Make sure that all the windows are covered with dark curtains, blinds, roman shades, or whatever shade you choose.
Switch to a solar water heater to heat your pools, showers, hot tubs and kitchen faucets to save money. Using natural gas and electricity is certainly the norm, but it’s not very energy efficient. By contrast, solar energy is very efficient, and it keeps water temperatures steady just as well as traditional heating methods. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.
If you aren’t using something, turn it off. When you leave a room, take the time to turn off lights, the tv or the computer. Use a power strip for your home electronics, and turn it off when you aren’t using the equipment. If something is left in standby mode, it is still wasting power.
There are grants that can help you invest in green energy. Check with the local government and find out about any possible programs you may be eligible for. For example you may be able to qualify for a grant for the installation of solar or wind powered technologies.
If you love green energy and green living, consider using electric heaters less during the winter months. Buy more warm clothing and use a fireplace to add heat to your home. Keep in mind that it is actually better to breathe cool air while you sleep, since it keeps your airways from becoming dry.
Keep covers on your windows when not in your home. This cools your home’s interior and keeps energy usage down while you’re away. Windows that face south tend to get more sun due to their orientation. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.
Considering the purchase of a new boiler could save you money in the long run. Previously, boilers were no made to be energy efficient; however, now they are. They not only produce less carbon dioxide, which is good for your health, but they can significantly cut your energy bill.
Turn it off. Turn it off. Turn it off. When you leave a room, take the time to turn off lights, the tv or the computer. Connect your home electronics to a power strip and unplug it when they are not in use. Phantom power draws from electronics in standby mode is a big problem.
Switch your toilets to one of the newer, water-saving varieties. Estimates show that 50% of water used in a home is to flush the toilet. The older models of toilets use about 5 gallons every time you flush. A water saving model will only use about 1.6 gallons which means you save close to 70 percent of you water per year.
When you plan a solar system for your home, try calculating what the energy generation of your system will be when you use hours worth of sun in the winter. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it can leave you ahead in the summer. If your plan is contingent on net usage, you will even get money back from your utility company because of the excess energy you are creating!
A simple way to locate appliances and products that are energy efficient is to see if they have an Energy Star logo. Any products that have the ENERGY STAR logo are in compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy plus the EPA. These products are also often the only ones eligible for tax rebates.
Pay attention to federal and local rebates associated with renewable energy for your house. In some cases, the local utility company will offer rebates for the cost of the upgrades. The federal government, or your city or state government, may also offer tax breaks. These rebates and credits can substantially reduce the cost of installing green energy technology in your home.
If you want to transform your home into a “green home,” the iconic way to do this is by installing solar panels. There is of course an initial investment that is not cheap, however, long term use and the resulting savings, will far outweigh the up-front cost. Solar energy becomes free when the panels are installed and you may be able to sell power to some local electric companies.
Green Energy
Put your freezer and refrigerator in a cool area of the house to save energy. Heating vents and direct sunlight can raise the temperatures of these appliances, making them to run more often.
As you can see, there are many ways to use green energy in your home to reduce your energy bills. Green energy is also great for the environment. Use these tips and you will see how simple it is to become green.
You can start your journey towards living a more green life today, all it takes is some simple switching of the light bulbs in your house to get started. Some simple changes that you can make yourself can have a huge impact on efficiency and your energy bill. To begin, select a small project and expand from there.