Tag Archive: energy efficient

Tips On How You Can Get The Most Out Of Green Energy

Transforming your home into an energy efficient one is a great way to help the environment, while saving you money at the same time. You don’t have to buy an electric car to make this happen! Keep reading to find easy ideas which will help you to make use of green energy in your home.

Solar panels can be easily installed on your home and are used to collect energy from the sun for use in your home. There are some things that should be further looked in to before doing this. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. If you’re in a shady area, or a place that doesn’t have many sunny days, you won’t be able to gain as much power.

Use cold water for laundry, whenever you can. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Most good quality laundry detergents work just as well in cold water. Don’t forget to only wash clothes when you have a full load s you are as efficient with your energy as possible!

If you heat your home with fuel oil, inquire about switching over to biodiesel. A lot of the existing systems can be modified with minimal parts or alterations. Biodiesel burns more cleanly and will improve your carbon footprint.

Don’t waste money or energy by running a half-full load of dishes. If you only have a couple of dishes, do not put them in the dishwasher and turn it on. Your dishwasher can probably hold a lot more dishes than you think. Take care to line up your dishes, so you are able to put in as many as you can.

Take time to make sure to properly maintain the fridge. Since refrigerators tend to eat up a great amount of power, it is crucial you keep it in perfect working order. Make dusting the coils part of your weekly cleaning routine. Also ensure that the rubber seals around the doors are clean and making tight contact.

You can save energy by changing your furnace filter, getting a thermostat that is programmable and using light bulbs that are energy efficient. Once other people see how easy going green is, they will want to go green too. Remember to start implementing these tips today.

There are tremendous opportunities for small businesses and social entrepreneurs to support their communities through community foundations, donor advised funds and other means of giving back. Find the neighborhoods in Erie, Pennsylvania where you can make the most impact on the environment in the community.

Green Energy In The Average Family: Tips And Tricks

Incorporating green energy into your home is an easy way to reduce energy usage, and save the environment at the same time. This doesn’t mean you must purchase an electric car. Keep reading to find out how to make your household more energy efficient, no matter your budget.

Just start using less energy every day. When you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. Turn off lights, television sets and other small appliances when you are done using them. This is an easy way to save cash as well.

Do you have your own farm? Farms are the perfect place to put a wind turbine. If you don’t have a farm, you might be able to rent from someone. Not only does it take up very little space, both you and the neighbors will greatly benefit from this free energy.

If you use fuel oil to heat your home, a technician can give you information about changing over to biodiesel. Switching to biodiesel is often doable without system modification. Biodiesel fuel runs more efficiently and is cleaner for the environment, reducing your home’s impact on the environment during winter months.

Maintain your refrigerator. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape. Make dusting the coils part of your weekly cleaning routine. Inspect the door’s seal for tightness and cleanliness.

Storm Windows

The flow of air in a home is better controlled when you have stormed windows and doors installed. Storm windows and doors prevent cold air drafts filtering into openings. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.

Pay careful attention to rebates that may help you save money on renewable energy. Sometimes your utility company may offer additional rebates which will help pay for the expense of the systems. If this is not possible, you can find out if upgrades can be used as tax deductions. You may also be able to get credits from the government, either state or federal. These credits and rebates could reduce the cost associated to installing green technology in your house.

You can save energy by changing your furnace filter, getting a thermostat that is programmable and using light bulbs that are energy efficient. Set an example for your family members, so more people will realize how easy it is to go green! Keep these tips in mind and use them.

Green Energy – Simple Solutions To Save Money While Helping The Environment

Using the sun, wind or water to generate energy produces fantastic results for the environment and can really reduce the cost of operating a home. If you’re interested in having a greener source of energy for your appliances at home, keep reading this article for useful tricks on the things you can do.

Government grants help customers purchase these eco-friendly technologies. To find out which programs are available in your area contact your local government. You may qualify to have wind or solar power installed at no cost to you. At a minimum they may allow you to deduct the charges from your taxes.

Clothes should always be washed in cold water, if possible. Almost 90% of energy consumption during clothes being washed is a result of the hot water usage. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. Also, be as energy efficient as possible by only washing full loads of clothing.

Window Coverings

When you are away from home, use window coverings. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. Typically, windows that face south are positioned so that they receive the most sun. Therefore, it is especially important to use heavy window coverings on these windows.

Know the available energy options in your community. Determine which energy source is cheapest for your home. Don’t forget to account for any government incentives that might be in effect. You may find that switching to one or another may provide a reduction in energy use and cost.

Make use of energy-efficient products to save both money and energy. Certain green products, like double glazed windows, eco-friendly doors and windows really help reduce the amount of energy needed to run your home efficiently. You will also cut down on the cost to heat and cool your home by implementing these products into your life.

Choose a laptop instead of a desktop PC to save energy. This can lower your electrical use by as much as 75%, particularly if you are someone who stays on the Internet for long periods of time. Plus you can take your laptop anywhere.

Green Energy

Starting to use green energy means that you will save yourself money today, and save the planet tomorrow. As this article explains, green energy is not expensive or complicated at all. Start implementing the advice you have learned to create a more energy efficient home today.

Green Energy Isn’t Just For Hippies Anymore!

When you do the right thing and convert your home into an environmentally friendly environment, you help cut the cost of your energy bills. An electric car is not a must-have in order to help. Read on for information you can use to make your house energy-efficient.

Cutting back on your daily electricity usage can save lots of energy over time. Unplug alliances when they are not being used. Also, remember to turn off lights when they are not needed. This can save you money and it’s simple.

If you are thinking of designing your outdoor areas with lighting, consider using solar lamps instead of conventional power. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. This saves a lot of energy! It also means you don’t need to wire your outdoor lights.

Feel Cooler

When it’s hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. You can also try wearing lighter colors, they help you feel cooler, lessening your need for artificial cold air.

Make your home more energy efficient by unplugging your unused electronic devices. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw “phantom power” if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.

Are you lucky enough to own a farm? You could rent a small portion of your property to an energy company willing to install a wind turbine. You and your neighbors will benefit from free energy and this installation will not take a lot of space.

Your furnace filters should be replaced annually, and inspected for monthly cleanings. It’s a good call to add filters to warm air registers. These filters keep children’s toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.

Be sure to cover your windows with drapes or blinds when not at home. This allows your home to be kept cool when you aren’t there, and in addition, it helps keep energy costs down. Usually, windows that face south receive the most sunlight. Try using coverings on all of the windows, such as dark curtains, roman shades, or some roller shades.

Changing your furnace’s filter, using light bulbs that are energy efficient and using programmable thermostat are simple ways to conserve energy at home. When your friends and family see you going green, they’ll be inspired and want to go green too. Keep in mind all that you learned and apply this knowledge as soon as possible.

Different Green Energy Sources And Their Benefits To You And Mother Earth

While it might seem difficult to incorporate green energy into your everyday life, it’s really not that hard. No matter how small the changes you make are, they will quickly add up to something big to help the environment. In the following paragraphs, you’ll find tips that will help you switch to sources of green energy.

Energy Efficient

Solar water heaters are a great option and can significantly decrease the cost involved with heating all of the water in your home. 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. In the United States there are many tax deductions for energy efficient green products.

Are you a farmer? If you do, or if you are aware of someone that does, you may be able to rent some of the property to a local energy company that will install a type of wind turbine. This installation will provide energy while taking little space and it will provide energy to you and perhaps your neighbors.

Whenever possible, you should use cold water to wash your clothes. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water. Good detergents wash clothes even in cold water. Additionally, always wash with a full load of laundry, as this helps to lower the amount of energy you use.

During the summer months, think about using the heat from the sun to dry your clothes instead of utilizing a dryer. As well as drying your clothes, the sun can also help your clothes smell nice. Laundry will smell fresher and cleaner, much more so than when they were in the dryer. You will also have lower utility bills.

Do maintenance on your fridge to save money. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape. Use your duster to clean around your heating coils on a regular basis. In addition, be sure your door seal is tight and clean.

Green Energy

Embracing green energy isn’t as hard as you might think. As you have read in the article above, there are many, easy ways to change your life and become a greener person. Start with of few of these simple tips today. It often does not take a great deal of work to incorporate green energy tips into your life. The results can be surprising.

Ways You Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Having green energy in your house is a great way to protect the environment, while reducing energy costs. Doing this won’t require you to purchase an electric car! Read this guide for simple ways on how to make your house energy efficient, while on any type of budget.

A solar water heating system can help lower energy costs. Heating water with natural gas or electricity is not that efficient, but with solar energy, water takes the suns energy and keeps temperatures steady. You may be eligible for tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.

Consume energy more wisely by unplugging your device chargers when they are not in use. Whether you are charging your device or not, chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cellphones and other electronics keep drawing electrical power as long as they stay plugged in.

Do your research when it comes to the available energy sources where you live. Determine which energy source is cheapest for your home. Don’t forget to account for any government incentives that might be in effect. Think about switching to natural gas or well water as examples of simple changes.

Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your clothes in the sun to dry in the summer months. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. They will smell a lot fresher than if you were to use a dryer. You will also have lower utility bills.

If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Do not simply place a few dishes into it and run it. Pack your dishwasher full, and you may be surprised at the amount it can hold. Take care to line up your dishes, so you are able to put in as many as you can.

If you aren’t using something, turn it off. Make sure that all lights are off when you exit a room, and also consider switching off the power for your television set, computer and stereo. Use power strips for your electronics, and make sure to turn it of when you are not using it. If it is in standby it’s still wasting power.

Energy Efficient

From switching to energy efficient bulbs to changing out your furnace’s filter, there are a number of simple ways you can make your home more energy efficient. When your friends and family see you going green, they’ll be inspired and want to go green too. Utilize the tips in this article and put them in place today.

How You Can Benefit From Green Energy

You may be surprised at how many cheap and easy ways there are to make your home more energy efficient. With the tips in this article you can learn how to be as cost-effective as possible, all while bringing green energy into your life.

Solar powered outdoor lighting is a wonderful enhancement to your outdoor living areas. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight. Not only does this save energy. It means you don’t have to wire up outdoor lights.

Use a solar water heater to keep your pools, tubs and plumbing full of piping hot, but cheap, water. 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. Some of these upgrades, while more expensive up-front, may qualify for green energy tax deductions.

Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. Running it with half loads is wasteful. It will likely surprise you how much you can actually put into your dishwasher when you load it properly. Make sure you take time to place the dishes in properly so as to maximize the space available.

If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, do not operate before it fills up. Dishwashers do not allow for minimizing water or power consumption. It is the same, full or not. When you run a dishwasher, use the ‘energy-saver’ setting so dishes can air-dry.

Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient. Examples of these include windows, light bulbs, and appliances, all of which have been designed to run efficiently on reduced energy. If you use these products extensively, you will see quite a bit of savings on your energy bills.

All the things we went over throughout this article are easy to implement, so don’t let excuses keep you from using them where you live. Becoming a green energy user allows for some peace of mind and more money in your budget. Implement these ideas today and make tomorrow a little brighter.

Green Energy Tips That Will Cut Down Your Power Bills

If you are considering purchasing outdoor lighting look into solar lamps. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. You save a lot of energy in the process. You also won’t have to spend time wiring your outdoor lights.

TIP! Save on the use of electricity in your home, and become a better consumer of energy by unplugging your electronic devices and gadgets when they are not in use. Chargers for cell phones, mp3 players, laptops and other devices draw some power when they are plugged in, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.

Green energy is a hot trend today. Supporters say that it is better than the alternatives, and you can save the earth and your pocketbook at the same time. But is this all for real? Read on for some great tips that will help you use green energy daily.

If you currently use fuel oil for home heating, ask your local technician how you can switch over to biodiesel fuel. A lot of existing systems can change to some bio-diesel utilization without modifications or using any extra parts. Biodiesel runs more efficiently, burns more clean, and costs you less during the winter.

TIP! Cover your windows when no one is at home. This helps to keep your house at a cooler temperature and lower the amount of energy used.

Use a solar-solar powered system to heat water. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. In the United States there are many tax deductions for energy efficient green products.

Consider installing a solar water heating system. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.

Wash Clothes

If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s completely full. It consumes the exact same amounts of electricity and water even if it’s not full. Make sure you are using the energy saving settings on your dishwasher that will air-dry your dishes.

TIP! Avoid turning the heat up in your home unless you have to. If it’s chilly, put on warmer clothes.

Wash clothes with cold water, as much as you can. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is actually used in heating up the water. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. Furthermore, remember to always wash a full load, as this is more energy efficient.

Keep an eye on how many watts of electricity you use. Get a watt monitor such as the Watt Minder or the Kill-A-Watt to find out which appliances use too much energy. You can tell how much energy it uses by plugging the appliance into it. This can show what your appliance is costing you.

TIP! There is a lot you can do to change your lifestyle and live in a more sustainable and environmentally friendly world. Simply cleaning filters in the furnace and setting temperatures lower can help! Lowering the temperature of the water heater to 120 degrees will save you money too.

Investigate all of the energy sources your community has to offer. Look into the cost of operating your home with each of your options, keeping in mind any recent changes to legislation about energy costs. For example, it may be cheaper for you to heat your home with natural gas as opposed to electricity, or use well water instead of city water.

Write yourself reminders to stay on top of new energy efficiency goals, and check every utility bill against the previous year’s to see if you are making gains. Be more conscious of energy usage so you can reduce it. Taking the time to use less resources will help you get into a habit of preventing energy waste through unattended appliances.

TIP! Carpooling for work and school activities can cut down on fuel usage. IF you’ve got kids, create a carpool system with other parents in the neighborhood.

When weather is good, skip the energy-hogging dryer and dry your clothes on an outdoor clothesline. This can cause your clothes to smell really good. They will smell a lot fresher than being dried in the drier. You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.

Trade in your old major appliances for new ones with the Energy Star rating. This rating will guarantee than your appliance is using less energy! Fridges and freezers with the rating use at least 20% less energy, dishwashers use 40% less, and washing machines use at least half the energy of non-rated models.

TIP! A great green energy device is the on-demand water heater. The old-fashioned water heaters run constantly, even running when not needed and that wastes energy.

If you aren’t using something, turn it off. For example, if you are not in a certain room, turn off the lights, TV or computer. A power strip offers a handy way to shut down multiple devices at once, and it prevents passive electrical use due to standby modes.

If you are planning to make your home a greener one, consider adding solar panels to your roof. Adding solar panels does require a significant investment amount up front, but the cost savings of using solar power over several years will more than make up for it. Once the panels are in, solar power is free; you might even be able to sell power to local utility companies.

Green Energy

To make you home greener, install a programmable thermostat. It can save you a significant sum of money your monthly energy bills. These thermostats can be pre-programmed and regulate the temperatures in the home throughout the year. Additionally, you can set them to adjust and control the temperatures during daytime and nighttime periods.

TIP! Prioritize your efforts to go green by moving light usage to the top of your list. During the bright months, try not to use lights until it becomes necessary.

Now that you’ve read this article, what is your opinion? Are you ready to give green energy a try? Use the strategies from this guide, in order to find ways on how green energy could improve your life. These tips will go a long way in helping the environment as well as saving you money.

Reduce microwave energy use by thawing your frozen food items in your refrigerator. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.

Green Energy Made Simple With These Great Tips!

Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. These lamps aren’t very expensive and can save you on power bills because they’re powered by the sun. They also save energy. Another added convenience is that they do not require any wiring for you to enjoy outside lighting.

TIP! Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel.

Being environmentally conscious is one great way to save money. Energy costs in today’s world are significant. You can also help the planet. You don’t have to buy an electric car to make this happen! Read this article for some simple ways to make your home more energy efficient on any budget.

Use cold water in your washing machine. If you use warm or hot water in your washing machine, almost 90% of your energy use goes towards heating the water. As long as your detergent is good, cold water washing can be just as effective as warm water. Additionally, do not run the washer until it is full so as to maximize your energy use.

TIP! If you use fuel oil to heat your home, ask a professional if you can use biodiesel. Some systems do not need any modifications in order to use biodiesels.

People can get government grants to invest in some renewable energies. Talk to your local representative to see if programs operate in your neighborhood. You may qualify for a free installation or a tax deduction.

Check out all the different resources your community has available for energy. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs. For instance, you may save on energy costs by heating your home with gas instead of with electricity or by using well water instead of city water.

TIP! When you calculate the solar panel needs of your home, figure out the hours of sun you get in the winter. This will ensure that you are not caught short during winter, and you have excess during the summer.

Start paying attention to your energy consumption. Unplug the charger for your iPod and XBox when they are not in use. Chargers used for cell phones, laptops, mp3 players and other electronic devices use power when they’re plugged in, even if they aren’t charging your device.

When a home has stormed windows and doors, air flows better. This is because they decrease the amount of cold air circulating through your home. When homes have windows and doors that are stormed, 45 percent less energy is used, which can decrease electric bills.

TIP! To save money on heating your water, buy a tankless system. These heaters only heat water when you need it rather than heating the tank constantly.

Wash clothes with cold water. The majority of energy use from washing clothes is in the heating of the water. As long as you have reliable clothes washing detergent, using cold water is just as effective. Furthermore, bear in mind that you will get maximum efficiency from washing a load that is full, rather then multiple small loads.

A really good energy saving tip is to change your boiler. Most older boilers weren’t made with energy conservation in mind, but newer ones are often fairly energy efficient. Not only will you reduce the carbon dioxide being emitted, but your energy costs can be greatly lessened.

TIP! If you want to save energy, do the obvious, well-known thing: turn off lights every time you leave the room. You may be shocked by the amount of electricity you can save by starting this simple habit.

During summer, try drying clothes on a clothesline instead of the dryer. As well as drying your clothes, the sun can also help your clothes smell nice. They will smell fresher than if you used the dryer. You will also be saving money on your utility bills.

Think about buying products that are made from bamboo when you are purchasing wood items. Scientifically speaking, bamboo is a grass, but it is just as strong as many woods. Bamboo is an excellent green product. It grows very fast and is being made into a variety of products from flooring to hard wood cutting boards for retail purchase. This saves energy on the recycling and production end of manufacturing products.

Power Strip

To cut your energy use, set your heater to 60 degrees when away from home and while you sleep. At 60 degrees, your home uses far less energy than keeping the temperature higher. This helps greatly reduce your energy consumption and saves you money.

TIP! Use your lights responsibly to make a greener home. When the days are longer, leave your lights off as long as possible.

Turn off electrical items whenever you aren’t using them. When you leave any room, turn off lights, tvs, computers or any other electrical devices. The easiest way to do this is to plug everything into a power strip and then just switch that power strip to the off position whenever you need to.

One way to reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator/freezer uses is to periodically thaw foods stored in the refrigerator that have frozen. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.

TIP! You can make small improvements to your home to make it more energy efficient, such as changing the type of light bulbs you use. Of course, you can also make large-scale improvements such as putting in solar panels.

You can save energy by changing your furnace filter, getting a thermostat that is programmable and using light bulbs that are energy efficient. Set an example for your family members, so more people will realize how easy it is to go green! Remember to start implementing these tips today.

Programmable thermostats are great investments in green energy. What makes these thermostats unique is that they can regulate your home temperature while you sleep or are not at home, meaning they will stop using energy at unnecessary moments. The latest models will allow you to program different beginning and end times throughout the week.