Reconfiguring your home to use less energy is easier than it has ever been before. With a few small changes, and maybe some big ones, you can reduce your carbon footprint and save some money at the same time. The article that follows will help you get started.
Simply lessening the amount of daily energy consumption can save lots of energy. When you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. Turn off all lights and televisions when they are not being used. This is a simple tip that can help you save money, too.
When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. Not only are they a reasonable purchase price, but they do not require electricity to run. They also save energy. It also means you don’t need hard wired outdoor lights.
When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. The vast majority of the energy you use for washing clothes is needed to heat the water. Provided you are using the right laundry detergent, you will not see a cleanliness difference by washing in cold water. Be sure to always do a full load of clothes when you wash.
Biodiesel is a great alternative to the standard oil used to heat a home. Depending on your system, you may be able to switch to biodiesel without having to make any modifications to your system. When you use biodiesel it burns a lot cleaner than conventional petroleum, which reduces the impact your home has on energy during the colder months of the year.
Window Coverings
When not at home, use window coverings. This cools down your house and lowers energy use. Usually, the windows facing the south get more sun because of where they are in the house. Therefore, it is especially important to use heavy window coverings on these windows.
Solar water heaters are a great option for your home. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. It’s a good idea to use a supplemental water heater, however, if you cannot count on constant sunshine or if your hot water consumption is high.
Using the sun to heat your water is very cost effective. Purchase a hot water system that uses solar energy. Two types are available, direct and indirect. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
When thinking about home solar systems, think about how much energy will be produced during winter. You will avoid unpleasant surprises during winter, and you will also ensure your energy needs are met in summer. If your plan is contingent on net usage, you will even get money back from your utility company because of the excess energy you are creating!
Think about the ideas provided in this article, and try to come up with a way to implement them in your home. You’ll see your energy bills drop and be proud of the service you are performing for the environment. Before long, you will have one of the greenest homes around!
You’ll master DIY Solar Cells in no time, as long as you continue to learn about them. By using the above advice, you will not only have a better understanding, but you’ll see it’s much simpler than you may have realized. You need to make sure that you take success one day at a time.
