Using less energy daily means large energy and financial savings. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use. Turn off lights and other electronics in a room when you leave. These easy ideas will help you save a lot of money over time.
It seems like everyone is talking about green energy these days, and rightfully so. Not only can you help the environment in a lot of different ways, but you can also save money using green energy. This article will provide many helpful tips for capitalizing on using green energy inside your home.
Lower the cost of heating your indoor water, pools and hot tubs by switching to solar water heating systems. Traditional gas and electricity are not that efficient, but solar-powered water heaters glean the sun’s natural energy to maintain even temperatures. Although these upgrades could cost a lot, they also might qualify for energy tax deductions.
If you are considering purchasing outdoor lighting look into solar lamps. These lamps are cheap and don’t require any power besides sun exposure. Not only does this save energy. It also ensures that there is no need to wire lights outdoor.
Dry clothes outdoors instead of in the dryer during the summer. The sun gives your clothes a great smell. They will smell a lot fresher than being dried in the drier. Also, your utility bills will be greatly decreased.
Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. Install filters for your warm-air registers, too. This will help keep debris from clogging up heating ducts and becoming inoperable.
Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer. You will find yourself shaving 75 percent off of the amount of electricity used for computer usage, especially if you go on the internet often. Plus, you can take your laptop with you anywhere you go!
If you use fuel to heat your home, ask a professional about using biodiesel instead. Many heating systems can be switched over to run on biodiesel without needing extra modifications or parts. Biodiesel burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional petroleum, reducing your home’s environmental impact during the winter.
Replace any old major appliances with new Energy Star rated appliances. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy and dishwashers use 40% less. Energy Star rated washing machines save at least 50% of the energy used by the older styles and also save a lot of water.
Solar hot water heaters are an excellent way to have lower costs on your hot water energy use. Upgrade your hot water system to one that’s solar-powered. There are both direct and indirect circulation options to choose from. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
Install a water-saving toilet. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. An older model uses 5 gallons of water per flush, whereas a water-saving model only uses 1.6 gallons, saving about 70 percent on your yearly water use.
If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the amount of power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. This will guarantee you energy no matter the weather, and it will have you entering the summer safely without energy concerns as well. Be sure to get a net-usage plan with the energy company so that you can get money from them when you put the surplus energy onto their grid.
A really simple way to begin making your house energy-efficient is to get your electric company to help you. Many utility companies have tools on their websites that will help you see how much energy you use, right down to the hour, as well as, ways to reduce your electric consumption and energy costs. Also check out programs they offer to help with the purchase of energy efficient appliances and light bulbs.
Hopefully, all of the information that you’ve learned from this article has benefited you. Taking advantage of green energy not only makes you feel great, but can also have practical benefits. Put these strategies to work to make the appliances in your house greener and a lot more efficient.
Consider having a programmable thermostat installed in your house, in order to help significantly decrease your energy bills. These types of thermostats have settings that will regulate the temperature depending on whether it’s winter or summer. You can also set up your own programs to control the temperature during different times of day.