Converting your home to green energy can provide numerous benefits to you as the home owner, as well as, to the environment and future generations. In this article, you will learn how to incorporate greener energy into your home, which will save you a considerable amount of money and reduce your carbon footprint.
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.
Use solar-powered outdoor lights. Outdoor lighting elements are a great place to use solar power, since there is easy access to sunlight. There are a wide range of lighting options to fit any decor. Not only does the solar-powered feature save on your energy bill, but it also makes these lights easy to install anywhere on your property.
If you would like to reduce the cost of your hot water, use solar energy. Purchase a hot water system that uses solar energy. There are systems available that circulate the heat both directly and indirectly. The indirect system is a a great thing to have and you do not have to think about having frozen pipes during the winter.
Plan out and calculate your energy consumption rates for your home solar system for the winter months so that you know what you can consumer on a daily basis. 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.
If you are thinking about switching to solar power, do your research first. Some towns have restrictions regarding the number of collectors they allow. To bypass these limitations, think about getting your neighbors to join you and get a solar power unit that would provide power for a small group of homes.
Use electric heating sparingly in the winter. Dress more warmly when around the house. Wear slippers and a heavy top, and light up your fireplace or pellet stove for increased warmth at low cost. Cooler air is better for sleeping anyway, because it prevents airways from becoming dry.
Insulating the home can prove to be really helpful in reducing your home's energy usage. Insulation can help keep heat inside the home during the cold winter months. In addition, it prevents the heat from entering your home during the summer. If your home's insulation is lacking, then you should make sure you put in more of it.
Start using batteries that have been recycled or else use rechargeable batteries. Disposable batteries are full of toxins and actually take about half of the energy they put off, in order to produce. If you are using disposable batteries, be sure to recycle them. Rechargeable batteries, however, can be used over and over again.
Try using cold water in the washing machine whenever it is possible. 90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating up water. Because of this, using warm water will just increase your monthly utility bill and decrease the amount of money you have at the end of the month.
A great way to garden green and efficiently use green energy is to xeriscape. This means plant native plants in your yard so that there is less maintenance and energy used on it. You will save by not using a lawn mower and you will not have to use energy on your sprinklers to water natural plants as often.
Invest in solar power for your home. Adding a few solar panels to your roof can actually decrease the cost of heating or cooling your home by up to 50%! Talk to a professional about where best to install them on your roof, as the placement is very important to get the optimal amount of direct sunlight.
An easy way to cut energy costs and go green is to dress warm. You will feel 2 degrees warmer with a light sweater, and 4 degrees warmer with a heavy one. Add a hat, scarf and gloves for even more warmth. It is unnecessary to dress scantily at home, so pick up a sweater and save some money!
Try switching to CFLs. The compact fluorescent bulbs http://www.my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/143919142698/led-vaportite-led-vapor-tight-linear-fixtures tend to use about 75 percent less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs do, plus they last around 10 times longer. They are pricier than the traditional bulbs, but it takes only a few months to make up for it in energy savings.
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.
More and more people are becoming aware of the need for a shift from traditional, polluting energy to renewable, clean, green energy. Hopefully, some of the thoughts and ideas mentioned in this article should help you as you learn more about green energy. We all have a responsibility to take care of our world, and finding better energy sources is key to fulfilling that responsibility.
