When you hear the term "green energy", you may be slightly confused. If you don't already know, green energy is, essentially, renewable energy that can be used with visit the following site a minimal negative impact on the environment. Green energy can be used in various ways in the home, as this article will show you.
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.
Find out more about ground source heat pumps. These pumps are located under your home and pump the natural heat of the earth to keep you warm. This system can be costly but the pumps use very little power and can last up to fifty years. Invest in this system if you are going to stay in a home for decades.
Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn't drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.
Start small. Even if you don't have the resources for a large-scale green energy project, there are still steps you can take. For example, solar chargers for small electronics generally only require the device to be set near a window for a few hours. Don't underestimate the power of a small step.
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 winter, you will find that the home remains much cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for an air conditioner.
Try insulating your pipes to decrease the chances of them freezing and to cut the costs for hot water. Another added benefit is that the government will reimburse you up to 30 percent for using highly efficient insulation in your home. Contact local utility companies to find out your state laws.
Don't throw away that coffee grinds- use them to fertilize your plants. Coffee grinds are rich in nitrogen so these make great, healthy plant food. Using coffee grinds as fertilizer keeps them out of the landfill, makes it unnecessary for you to purchase and use chemical plant food, and make your plants grow nicely, adding oxygen to the atmosphere.
Many people who own homes with air-conditioning fail to realize how much energy is used by these units. If you have an air-conditioned home, consider a greener way of cooling off by saving the energy used to cool the air. Try to save air-conditioning for the hottest days. Keep blinds and drapes drawn during the hottest hours and open windows and doors after the sun goes down. Ceiling fans can also help a great deal!
If you are looking to naturally heat your water using solar power, an indirect circulation system may be perfect for your home if you live in an area where the temperatures go below freezing. These systems run a fluid that does not freeze through the system to prevent icing. This pump will still use electricity, but only about 25% when compared to traditional water heaters.
Don't throw away that coffee grinds- use them to fertilize your plants. Coffee grinds are rich in nitrogen so these make great, healthy plant food. Using coffee grinds as fertilizer keeps them out of the landfill, makes it unnecessary for you to purchase and use chemical plant food, and make your plants grow nicely, adding oxygen to the atmosphere.
If you are looking to naturally heat your water using solar power, an indirect circulation system may be perfect for your home if you live in an area where the temperatures go below freezing. These systems run a fluid that does not freeze through the system to prevent icing. This pump will still use electricity, but only about 25% when compared to traditional water heaters.
One very basic method of using renewable green energy in your home is the use of solar power to dry your clothes. That is, hang your wet laundry out on a clothesline. The amount of energy saved by not using a dryer is considerable, and it also gets you outside in the nice weather.
Replace regular light bulb with Energy Star qualified bulbs. These bulbs last about ten times as long as a traditional incandescent bulb, and use approximately 75 percent less energy, saving you about $30 in energy costs during the lifetime of the bulb. They also emit about 75 percent less heat, and are therefore much safer.
Upgrading the windows on your home can go a long way with saving your money on energy costs. If you do not have energy efficient windows on your home, you could be paying an extra ten to twenty-five percent on your energy bill each and every month. Think about what kind of difference that could make if you upgrade your windows in conjunction with other energy-saving steps.
Green energy might be available to you right now, so make a phone call and see if you can find it. Most electric companies are now offering green energy sources that can meet consumer's needs. You will likely have the option of switching partially to green energy, or entirely to green energy. You might pay a little more for these options, but you will be doing something great for the environment.
To help you reduce your carbon footprint and also save plenty of money on gas for your car, consider investigating the benefits of the electric car. Electric vehicles can be enjoyable to drive and are typically environmentally friendly. Most are quite expensive right now, but are becoming more affordable as technology improves.
You can save lots of money with programmable thermostats. These thermostats can be programmed with your own preferred settings to regulate the air temperature in your home year-round. They can also be programmed for different temperatures based on whether it's night or day.
So there you have it, green energy is not only great for us, but for the environment. The best thing about it is how relatively simple it is to use in any home. All you need to do is use the information presented here and your home can harness the power of green energy.
