Tag Archive: green energy

Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Heating your water with natural gas or electricity is inefficient. However, solar water is inexpensive and more efficient. While many of these upgrades have high up-front costs, they may qualify for tax credits or other rebates.

Using water, wind, and sun to produce energy can dramatically reduce the costs of running a home, and creates great results in the environment, as well. If you want to learn how to use more green energy in your house, keep reading and discover some great tips about what to do and how you can start today.

Close the curtains or blinds before you leave the house. These help your home remain cool and keep your energy bill down when you are not there. Usually the windows that face south tend to get more sun exposure. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.

If you are thinking of designing your outdoor areas with lighting, consider using solar lamps instead of conventional power. These lamps require now power source, except the sun, and are generally inexpensive. This does more than just save energy. It also means that you avoid having to go outside and wire up outdoor lights.

Know the available energy options in your community. Check to see how much it would cost to run your home with these other utilities, and remember to take into account the government bonuses that are sometimes available. You might be able to save money by switching to well water or natural gas heat.

Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. Using natural gas or electricity is not as efficient as solar power, and solar water heaters can keep the water temperature steady. Although these upgrades could cost a lot, they also might qualify for energy tax deductions.

When designing your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the PV cells as possible. By doing so, energy loss through the cable is reduced. You also will not have to worry about the cells being shaded by a cable and not producing as much energy as they could.

Do you live on a 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. You and those around you can benefit from the free energy. A turbine doesn’t take up much space, either.

A solar oven can be an easy and free way to bake. You can make one from an old window, cardboard box, and tin foil. The oven can heat up to well over 300 degrees using no electricity!

When not at home, use window coverings. This cools the house and cuts energy costs. Windows that face south tend to get more sun due to their orientation. Try to cover the windows using coverings like roman shades, roller shades, and dark curtains.

Use LED lights on the holidays to save electricity. LED’s have been shown to save a significant amount of energy. By having everyone make this change, the country can save 2 billion kilowatt power hours. That is enough electricity to power 200 thousand homes for a whole year. At the very least, you can shave some money from your own power bill!

Try drying your laundry outside in the sun whenever possible, rather than using a dryer. Using the sun can make clothes smell a lot better. They’ll smell so much better than if you shoved them into a dryer! You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.

If you are purchasing new appliances, try to aim for Energy Star rated ones. 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 that are Energy Star rated uses approximately twenty percent less energy. While dishwashers and washing machines can save up to fifty percent on energy bills.

Green Energy

You may want to get bamboo items when you’re in the market for something made out of wood. Bamboo is very green and strong and is technically considered a grass. It grows quickly and can be used and sold for a variety of purposes, from cutting boards to flooring. Using bamboo can help conserve energy when making new products as well as saving on the costs of recycling old products.

Starting to use green energy means that you will save yourself money today, and save the planet tomorrow. It is easy to see that green energy methods are not overly difficult or costly. Take the information you have seen here and make a positive transition into a greener way of life.

Green electronics may seem expensive in the beginning; however, the amount of energy saved will pay off over the life of the equipment. Green technology appliances can cost a bit more up front, but you will be paid back through lower energy bills for the life of the appliances. It will also have a positive effect on the environment over the long term.

Instead of using a clothes dryer, hang your clothes in the sun to dry in the summer months. The sun can really make your clothes smell incredible. They will smell better than anything coming out of a dryer. Also, your utility bills will be greatly decreased.

You have likely heard a lot about green energy tips and technology in recent years. You may be confused. If you want a quick primer on green energy, as well as why it’s useful, then this article is for you. Read this article to learn how you can use green energy in your home.

Learn about the differences between passive and active solar power. Active power can be stored for later use. Passive power must be utilized more quickly but no expensive storage cells are required. Active solar powers requires solar panels that need installations as well as mechanical systems and cells. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.

When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. They are inexpensive and don’t require electricity. This, of course, will save you a lot of money. It also means you do not to have string up those outdoor lights.

Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. Going paperless can help the environment in many ways. You help both you and other businesses you communicate with save resources and energy. An added bonus is that everyone benefits by the protection of our environment.

There are government grants available for investing in renewable energy. Ask at your local municipality office to research what types of programs might be available to you. Who knows, you may qualify for low or no-cost wind or solar installation. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still use these items as a tax deduction.

A solar oven can be made to assist you in your baking needs. You can make these with simple items, such as boxes, an old window, and some foil for reflection. These makeshift ovens can achieve temperatures of 300 degrees or more with no help from traditional energy sources, and they are simple to produce.

Do you have a lot of land? Consider renting out a small space where a power company can place a wind turbine. You could take advantage of the energy offered and the space requirements are minimal.

One easy, common sense tip to save energy is to shot off all the lights when you exit a room. Do this at all times. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. There’s also the extra benefit of having a lower electric bill.

When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. 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. Additionally, always wash with a full load of laundry, as this helps to lower the amount of energy you use.

If possible, switch the old windows in your home with newer, energy-efficient ones. These windows reduce energy costs, makes your home quieter, releases less carbon dioxide, and your windows will acquire less condensation.

Speak to a technician to find out if your fuel oiled heating can be changed to an alternative fuel, such as biodiesel. Sometimes you can make the switch to some use of biodiesel fuels without having to purchase new parts or make costly modifications. Bio-diesel fuels burn more efficiently and cleaner than conventional petroleum- based fuel oil.

You can save on energy costs by checking the seals on your refrigerator and freezer. A damaged seal will cause your fridge to use more energy than necessary, wasting both energy and money. Put a piece of paper in the door: if it slides out easily, you need to replace your seal.

Cover your windows if you’re not going to be home. This cools the house and cuts energy costs. Typically, the south facing windows are the ones that get the most amount of sun due to their location. Dark curtains, roller or roman shades can cover windows well.

Think about using rainwater inside your house for certain things, like the toilet. This saves money on the water bill and is good for the environment, too. You can easily collect rainwater by placing vessels, such as jars, outside during a rain storm.

Now that you understand the basics of green technology, you are now ready to start using it in your home. Take some of these tips and use them to create some of your own green energy! Your wallet and the environment will be very thankful for this technology.

Always switch off the lights when no one is in a room. Use lighting in the evenings only when you have to, and turn off switches when you exit a room. Avoid leaving any lights on, even porch lights or cabinet lights, unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. This simple change can go a long way towards reducing your electric bill.

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.