If you haven't taken the opportunity to introduce green energy into your life, you are missing out. Green energy is cheaper, safer, and cleaner than traditional sources of energy, and it can also save you money over time. Here are some really smart ways to start using green energy to your advantage.
To help you use more green energy in your day to day life, contact your current energy or electricity provider to see if they offer a renewable-energy alternative. Many energy companies are beginning to offer environmentally sound, even higher priced energy services to cater to more socially conscious individuals.
Try heating your home with a wood pellet stove. The pellets burned in a pellet stove are made of highly compact sawdust. They burn so cleanly than they are not required to get an EPA certification for emissions. Be aware, however, that the cost of the pellets may be high in some areas.
If you have a swimming pool, you can save a lot of money by using solar energy to heat the water. Solar heating systems are not more expensive than other solutions and are easier to maintain. These systems also work for your outdoor hot tub. This is probably the best use of solar power.
Insulate your home. A pre-1950 home that isn't insulated will use approximately 60 percent more energy than a house that was built after 2000. Adding sufficient insulation to your attic and basement will greatly improve your home's energy efficiency. As well as keeping you warm in the https://www.green-e.org/ winter, you will find that the home remains much cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for an air conditioner.
Opt for solar lights instead of regular lighting when installing lights for outdoor use. This helps save on your energy costs, and they are very aesthetic as well. Solar lights are becoming increasingly popular, and they are a wonderful option for lighting the patio, garden, sidewalks, garage, and many other places.
The average washing machine uses a lot of hot water. It can use over 30 gallons each load. Cut down on its hot water usage by washing in cold water. Many people struggle with this because they insist on having the water warm. If you're one of them, try replacing your machine with an Energy Star unit. Many modern detergents clean clothes really well at low temperatures.
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.
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.
A good energy saving tip at home when cooking is to always use a microwave when possible. When cooking in the oven or on the stove, it tends to burn up a lot more energy. So, never shy away from the microwave when using it is an option. You will save time, money, and energy by making this choice.
A good green energy solution to replace cleaning products in your home is to use olive oil. By using olive to clean certain things around the home, you are avoiding the synthetic chemicals, compounds and substances that aren't very environmentally friendly which are present in the many household cleaning products you find on the market.
To help you improve the green energy efficiency of your home, consider installing solar panels in your home. Solar panels are a good source of renewable energy and can be installed at a relatively low cost. In addition, you will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and other forms of unsustainable energy.
Use solar water heaters as a great alternative to heating water with electricity. They use the sun's energy to heat water for use in your home or business. The ideal location for a solar water heating system is a south-facing roof that is not shaded. Current technologies allow the system to blend in with your roof so as not to detract from your home.
Consider having a programmable thermostat installed in your house, in order to help significantly decrease your energy bills. With their pre-programmed settings, these thermostats are capable of regulating the temperature within your home during both the winter and summer months. You can actually help program them to manage temperatures in the day and night.
Get some green plants in your home and your garden. Green plants transform carbon dioxide into oxygen: keeping plants in your home is a good way to balance the harmful emanations from your heating system. It is also a good alternative to opening up windows and losing heat to change the air in your home.
Switch plates and outlets free lighting design template are a necessary evil when it comes to holes that may cause energy or heat loss. That said, you can reduce the amount of energy lost through such openings by installing foam gaskets behind their face plates and then by sealing their edges with a quick application of caulk.
Use light bulbs that are energy-efficient. Conventional light bulbs use entirely too much energy and create a lot of heat. Energy-efficient bulbs last much longer and don't give off that much heat. They can sometimes give off dimmer light, so make sure to use as many as you need in your rooms so you have comparable amounts of light.
A significant green energy initiative is to is having a professional do a home energy audit. These professionals will assess your home and find areas where you can save money and conserve energy. Some power companies even offer this service for free to help reduce the impact of their customers on their energy supply.
Take your own bags to the supermarket to bag your groceries. You can use plastic or paper bags you have gotten on previous trips to the store or purchase cloth bags for this purpose. Some stores even offer discounts to customers who bring their own bags, so you can save money as well as the environment.
Going green with energy use in your home now will equate to savings financially and environmentally in the future. This article has shown that it is neither expensive nor difficult to go green.
