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Coal VERSUS Wind, Environment-friendly Wins In The End

There has been increased discussion during recent years surrounding the importance of green and renewable energy. Thankfully, many solutions exist in the marketplace for individuals seeking green alternatives to solve their energy problems. This article contains an abundance of advice and information to help you reduce your environmental footprint and protect the environment.

While it is a great idea to turn off your computer when you are not using it, it can be a waste of energy if you do it while you will only be away from it or short periods of time. It is best to wait until before you go to bed when you know there will be hours before you use it again.

Swap your old incandescent light bulbs for high-efficiency LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use far less electricity than incandescent, and they come in sizes that fit most existing fixtures. While the up-front cost is generally higher, most of these bulbs will last for years before burning out.

Cover your windows when no one is at home. Your house will stay cool and you won't use as much energy this way. Southern facing windows receive the most sunlight. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.

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!

Buy a programmable thermostat. An Energy Star programmable thermostat will regulate your home's temperature year-round, both day and night. Always set your thermostat a couple of degrees less than you think the temperature should be, as you won't really notice the difference in your home. An Energy Star thermostat will save you about $180 a year in heating costs.

Take advantage of the sun by installing solar panels on your roof. These panels will harvest the energy from the sun and convert it into usable power for your home. Most energy companies will purchase any excess power that is created. You will discover at the least, a reduction in your power bill each month.



Switch all of your home's light bulbs to more energy-efficient ones. Even though they may be more pricey than normal bulbs, they will save you money in the long run, by lowering your electricity bill. They not only produce more light than other bulbs, but they also last much longer.

It is easy to live green,and still enjoy technology just by making small changes. Make your laptop more energy efficient simply by changing your wall paper. Using a dark or black wall paper, and screen saver uses less energy. This small amount of energy saved will add up over time, especially if you have more than one computer in the home.

Switch to low flow or dual flush toilets. These particular toilets only use 1.28 gallons for liquid flushes. Families typically use 20-40% less water by using them instead of average toilets. On average, a family can save up to 2,000 gallons of water per year! This can provide significant savings to your water bill, every single month.

During cooler days, turn off that air conditioning to be greener and save on energy. Many homeowners let their air conditioning run non-stop no matter the outdoor temperature. This can use up a lot of energy and cost you hundreds of more dollars annually. Opening the windows and letting a cross-breeze in is a fast and easy way to be green and get some fresh air!

You do not have to spend a lot to be a green energy consumer. You can just change your habits and be green. You can certainly save big by driving the speed limit and not over use http://www.osti.gov/greenenergy/ your gas pedal. You can save as much as 20 percent on gas if you just follow those two rules.

Those looking to save energy and live a greener life may want to consider reducing the amount of lighting in their house. Ask yourself if you cfi led troffers really need four lamps in a single room, or read with a book light rather than using your rooms lighting at night. This simple tip can go a long way to reducing your energy consumption.

Water-saving toilets can get you started on a greener lifestyle. Toilets account for fifty percent of the water used in a home. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.



You can lower the temperature setting on your water heater and save money at the same time by insulating your water pipes. Just insulating the hot water pipes can reduce heat loss and raise your hot water temperature by 2-4 degrees F. You will save water as well, as it won't take as long for the water to heat up.

Responsibly recycling electronics is a great way to maximize resources. When people think of green energy they think of alternative energy. However, it is just as important to get the most from the non-renewable resources that we use as it is to minimize our use. Recycling electronics prevents unnecessary polluting of landfills as well as reuses resources that non-renewable.

In certain areas, you might be able to sell your power to the main grid. Call your power supplier to find out more about their policies. If your home is too small to justify investing in a wind turbine, you could get your money back quicker by selling part of your power.

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.

Some forms of insulation do not require professional services but rather can simply be pushed into an open area. These types of insulation are an ideal way to improve the energy efficiency of everything from your attic to your crawl spaces to your basement and the spaces between floors. This type of insulation can also be inserted whenever you repair drywall.

By changing your life at home, you'll find that it has a greater impact on the world. If every person made the changes listed in this article, imagine how great the world could be! It's important that you take your first steps towards being more green, so that everyone can benefit from the change.