Like most people, you probably don’t really think about the environment when you are at home, using energy. Everything that is done affects the environment. There are many simple ways to make your home more energy efficient and thereby have a positive impact on the planet. The article below discusses some of the best ways to go green.
During the heat of summer, wear natural-fiber fabrics instead of turning on the air conditioner. Fabrics such as cotton draw moisture from the skin, which allows you to stay much cooler. Wearing lighter colors will also help, because they tend to reflect light.
Solar panels can be installed on your roof allowing you to use solar energy. However, there are several things to consider before making any decisions. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? If you live in an area that gets few sunny days, or your property is full of shade trees and tall bushes, you will have trouble gaining enough solar power for your needs.
Check monthly to determine if your furnace’s filters need cleaning and replace them yearly. You should also install filters on any warm-air registers included with your furnace. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
On hot, summer days, hang your clothes outside. This can cause your clothes to smell really good. They will be fresher than clothes dried in the dryer. You will also be saving money on your utility bills.
Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. A lot of energy is wasted when only a few dishes are washed at a time. Dishwashers can usually hold many dishes. Strategically load your dishwasher so that you fit in as many dishes as possible.
Turn off appliances if you are not using them. When you leave a room, take the time to turn off lights, the tv or the computer. Get a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at the same time, rather than letting energy get wasted in standby mode.
Put the solar energy system’s batteries close to its cells during installation. This can stop power loss in the cable. It also lowers the possibility of shading the cable cells and lessening their output capacity.
Use a tankless water heater instead of one that uses a tank. Instead of keeping a whole tank of water hot at all times, tankless models only heat the water you are actually going to use. You can get a tankless water heater to heat your entire home’s water supply or you can get a smaller one that heats only water that comes out of a particular faucet.
Degrees Warmer
Dressing in warm attire can be a great way to cut energy costs while embracing green energy. You will feel 2 degrees warmer with a light sweater, and 4 degrees warmer with a heavy one. Add a hat, scarf and gloves for even more warmth. You do not have to wear a small amount of clothing at home, so put on a sweater and increase your savings.
Think about baking with a solar oven. You can make one out of a box, wood, and some foil. These ovens are no slouches. They can be heated up to 300 degrees, consume no energy, and are simple to construct.
While turning your lights off to save energy is old advice, it’s still relevant. Turning off the lights will save a surprising amount of energy. An additional benefit is the money you save on your monthly power bill.
Consider more efficient home appliances, such as water-saving toilets. Up to half of the water that your household uses is when flushing the toilet. A traditional toilet uses about five gallons of water each time it is flushed, compared to a water-conserving toilet, which uses just 1.6 gallons. This is a 70% water savings.
Your electric company is probably eager to help you start saving energy today. Lots of utility companies have information on their websites about your energy consumption and tips you can implement to save cash. You may also be able to find rebates or other programs to help you get energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances.
You might want to consider installing automatic light sensors that include motion detection in the rooms that have the most traffic. This turns the lights off in rooms that have nobody in them, which saves a lot of energy (and money). Include sensors on your outdoor lighting and lights in the garage, as well.
You might not have thought extensively on environmental issues, and you’re not alone. Now that you understand the basics of green technology, you can work to change this. Make your home and the environment better places to be when you use the ideas from the article above.
With all these tips about The Power Efficiency Guide, the only thing left to do is use them. This article was a start to your learning. Soon, you can consider yourself an expert.