What does it take to start using green energy in your life? All you need to http://del.icio.us/myledlighting1 have is some determination and knowledge, and this article has plenty of ideas for you to use, as long as you're ready to implement them. Continue reading to find everything you need to know to get started on the road to clean energy.
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. For example, when an appliance is not in use unplug it. Turn off the lights and TV when not in the room. This is an easy way to save cash as well.
If you currently use fuel oil for home heating, ask your local technician how you can switch over to biodiesel fuel. 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.
When building your home, pay attention to its orientation. An ideal home should be protected against overhead sun during the summer and be oriented so that it gets low-angle sun in the winter. This is a good way to save money on your heating bill and will keep your home cool in the summer.
Are you currently using a wood-burning fireplace to decrease your dependence upon fossil fuels? If so, remember to shut the flue damper very tightly when your fireplace is not being used. If you forget to do this, both warmed or cooled air will easily escape from your house through the chimney.
If you want to save energy, try not to use your dishwasher very often. Instead, let your dishes air dry. Dishwashers tend to use a lot of energy and because they use so much power, your electricity and your water bill will be through the roof. If you have to use the dishwasher, put it on a low setting.
Support your local green energy providers by purchasing energy from them. You can check online to see if any of your local energy providers sell wind, hydro, or solar energy. By switching from the standard energy, you will send a message to your provider; you prefer cleaner energy. You will also be support the development of green energy in your area.
Reverse the direction of the blades on your fan if you'd like to cut heating costs by as much as 10 percent! Although most people use fans for cooling, it's possible to use them to suck cold air up and make your home feel much warmer without turning up the heat.
If you are planning to go green in your home, you may want to consider contacting your utility provider to learn about your options. They may have some great suggestions for you look into. If they do not have the options for you, they can direct you to where you can find them.
In some areas of the world people can sign up for wind and geothermal energy from their power supplier. This is usually a little more money, but it is green energy that you are buying and do not have to invest in the machinery to make it. This helps relive the stress for fossil fuels by your energy company.
An easy way to make your home greener is to replace your old light fixtures with ones, which are ENERGY STAR qualified. If you are unable to install ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures at the moment, at least replace your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which use much less energy.
In a colder climate, make sure you weatherize your windows to be energy efficient. This will not only help you stay much warmer, but it will save you on energy costs. You can have this done for a fee, or you can do it yourself after purchasing the necessary products.
Consider a ground-source heat pump for your home. A ground source heat pump makes use of the constant temperature of the ground in order to heat and cool the home. The ground temperature will be warmer than the air in winter but cooler in the summer, making for highly efficient heat exchange.
To help you increase your clean-energy consumption, try using wind energy. Wind is a very clean type of alternative energy, and it can help you cut your electricity bill a ton. If this solution interests you, check with your local authority to ensure you have proper zoning and also ensure you have sufficient space.
If possible, switch the old windows in your home with newer, energy-efficient ones. There are many benefits to using these windows--you will see smaller energy bills, your home will be more quiet, you will not have as much carbon dioxide, and you will see less condensation on your windows.
Windmills are capable of creating electrical energy without polluting anything. Purchasing your own windmill can be expensive, and there may be restrictions on putting one up where you live. If you can install your own windmill, you will be able to sell excess electricity to your local power company and recoup some of your costs.
If replacing all your windows and doors simply is not an option, you can still improve their energy efficiency quickly and cheaply with nothing more than a caulk gun and some weather stripping. Run your hand around the outer edge of doors and windows to feel for cool areas that indicate leaks, then apply a thin layer of caulk or a weather strip.
Use the weight of your car to save gas while you are driving. You can increase the miles per gallon of your car by reducing the use of your gas pedal and also your brake. Stop accelerating at least one eighth of a mile before each stop and cut down on fuel usage.
As said previously in this article, going green doesn't have to be expensive or time consuming! Usually this can be accomplished with just a few simple changes that can save you money on electricity costs. Keep what you've read here in mind, and consider sharing this article with friends and family so they can benefit from green energy along with you.
