It is a daunting thought when considering making a home-wide change to greener energy use. It can be awfully difficult to know where to begin and which changes are going to benefit you and the environment the best. This article will provide you with some of the basics, so continue reading and you will have a better understanding of green energy options.
Get rid of your old water heater and put in a green, tankless one. These still use gas and electricity to heat water, but they heat only what you use instead of continuously heating the whole tank. You can either get a tankless heater for your entire house or for a only one faucet.
Passive Power
There are active and passive options for solar energy systems. Active power can be stored for later use. Passive power must be utilized more quickly but no expensive storage cells are required. Active power will require a large installation process and can cost a great deal more. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
One way to participate in the green energy movement is buying products that are specifically designed to save energy. Installing efficient windows and doors, window coverings, and insulation are just some of the ways to save big. Using these products is a great way to save money on heating and cooling.
Consider using a solar oven to bake with. Solar ovens can be created with old windows, boxes, and foil. Solar ovens can get hotter than 300 degrees, and doesn’t use any energy source besides the sun, so you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
Look around for ways to “go green;” if you want to help conserve natural resources, there are many options available. Going green doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money, as you can begin simply by setting the thermostat to 60 degrees for those periods when you are not home.
You can also conduct monthly cleanings of your furnace filters. Lowering the temperature on your water heater to 120 can also help reduce costs. Every small change helps!
Heat your house with biofuels. Biofuels are made out of a variety of things, including: oil, wood, and animal/vegetable fats. If your existing furnace runs on propane, it is quite easy for a professional to make the alterations required so it can perform as efficiently using a fuel blend. You would want to use roughly 20-99 percent bio-fuel, depending on your house size and what a professional thinks is right. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
Energy Star Rated
Replace any old major appliances with new Energy Star rated appliances. Energy Star ratings mean that your new appliances are technologically built to use less energy than previous models. You will find that Energy Star rated refrigerators use about 20% less energy, and clothes washing machines use about 50% less.
If you want to save energy, do the obvious, well-known thing: turn off lights every time you leave the room. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.
Bamboo Products
Try bamboo products when buying wood items. Bamboo is technically grass but is just as strong as other woods. It is very easy to grow and is becoming more widely available. Retail outlets are selling many bamboo products, from flooring to cutting boards. The products are more affordable due to a reduction in the cost of manufacturing products.
Ask the electric company to help you figure out how to increase the energy efficiency in your home. Many utility companies have tools on their websites that will help you see how much energy you use, right down to the hour, as well as, ways to reduce your electric consumption and energy costs. Check out the appliances and light bulbs that they recommend, as well as special programs to help you purchase them.
Each home has a unique layout, and each has its own area. These differences can tend to cause some green technologies to not be available and to not work in certain places. There are some green solutions that one homeowner may implement but that may not work for another. Use the tips that work for your home and implement them to save energy and money.
It can be easy to be overwhelmed with everything there is to know about The Power Efficiency Guide. There is a lot to take in, but it will be a great benefit if you spend time learning. If you use the information you learn here you will be better off.
