Many people want to go green but have no idea how to go about it. While there are alternative energy sources, like solar and wind, there are also green habits that can be started today. This article includes several tips on using green energy today.
You can save a phenomenal amount of energy just by using less electricity every day. Unplug appliances when you’re not using them. Turn off lights, television sets and other small appliances when you are done using them. This helps to save money without much effort.
Solar water heaters are a great option and can significantly decrease the cost involved with heating all of the water in your home. Heating your water with natural gas or electricity is inefficient. However, solar water is inexpensive and more efficient. Many of these improvements will cost you a bit up front, but the cost savings and tax deductions will usually more than offset that cost.
Do you own a farm? You could rent a small portion of your property to an energy company willing to install a wind turbine. You could take advantage of the energy offered and the space requirements are minimal.
Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. It is also a good idea to install filters on warm-air registers. These filters keep debris or toys from entering the duct-work, which could reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system.
Cover your windows when you are away from home. This will help save energy. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Window coverings such as roller shades, roman shades or dark curtains can be used on all windows.
Research the different energy sources available in your community. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. You may find that natural gas will be better for your home than electric, or that well water is an available alternative to city water.
A good way to save money is to only turn on your dishwasher when you have a full load ready to go. Don’t run it with only a few things. Once you learn how to properly fill a dishwasher, you will be amazed at the number of dishes that can be washed in one load. Experiment with different ways of loading the dishwasher in order to fit in as many dishes as possible.
If you’d like to cut down your hot water bill, look into using solar energy. Upgrade your hot water system to one that’s solar-powered. It is possible to chose between direct and indirect circulation systems. The best option for you is the indirect one if you might have frozen pipes.
Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative. These portable machines will reduce your electrical use by 75% while you do everyday tasks. Plus, you can take your laptop with you anywhere you go!
Pay careful attention to rebates that may help you save money on renewable energy. Your local utility company may be offering green energy rebates to apply updates. The federal government, or your city or state government, may also offer tax breaks. These credits and rebates reduce the price you will pay to install green tech products at home.
If you aren’t sold on making a large green energy investment at home, then bring in a professional heating expert or plumber to take a look at your existing systems. They can tell you the amount of money you will save, and quote the cost of a new system.
One of the key topics facing our government is finding alternative options for our energy sources as we are forced to turn away from oil. Learning how to properly take advantage of renewable energy is an important step to decreasing our dependence on oil. If you educate yourself it is much easier to be greener. Use what you’ve learned in this article to join the green revolution today!
Many people are interested in The Power Efficiency Guide, but are unsure of how to learn more. Thankfully, this piece has given you information to help you do it. Take this information, and start using it right away.
