In this day and age, two things that definitely need improving are the economy and the environment. You can improve your personal economy and help the environment at the same time by converting many of the technologies in your home to green energy. Read on for some great advice on how to accomplish this.
You can reduce your energy usage by just reducing your electricity usage. When you are not using certain appliances, unplug them until you are ready to use them again. Turn off lights, television sets and other small appliances when you are done using them. These simple tips can save you money, as well as saving electricity.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren't using them. Whether you are charging your device or not, chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cellphones and other electronics keep drawing electrical power as long as they stay plugged in.
Use curtains to assist you in keeping green. If it is summer and you want the room to stay cool, draw the curtains during the day so that the sun doesn't shine in. If it's winter, and you want the room to stay warm, open the curtains and let the sun into your room.
Try heating your home with a wood pellet stove. The pellets burned in a pellet stove are made of highly compact sawdust. They burn so cleanly than they are not required to get an EPA certification for emissions. Be aware, however, that the cost of the pellets may be high in some areas.
Try using cold water in the washing machine whenever it is possible. 90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating up water. Because of this, using warm water will just increase your monthly utility bill and decrease the amount of money you have at the end of the month.
Try using cold water in the washing machine whenever it is possible. 90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating up water. Because of this, using warm water will just increase your monthly utility bill and decrease the amount of money you have at the end of the month.
Are you currently using a wood-burning fireplace to decrease your dependence upon fossil fuels? If so, remember to shut the flue damper very tightly when your fireplace is not being used. If you forget to do this, both warmed or cooled air will easily escape from your house through the chimney.
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!
Always have a backup power source for a wind generation system. Your system needs to be able to account for low-wind days. This backup could be another type of renewable source, such as a battery system powered by solar, or a diesel generator. Another option is to have the home plugged into the utility power grid.
Check your freezer and refrigerator's seal frequently. If they are broken, you may be wasting a lot of energy. Broken seals can make your refrigerator run when it does not need to be, which wastes energy and hurts your pocketbook. An easy way to check to see if your seal is intact is to insert a piece of paper in the door of your refrigerator. If the paper can easily slide out, your seal needs to be replaced.
Try insulating your pipes to decrease the chances of them freezing and to cut the costs for hot water. Another added benefit is that the government will reimburse you up to 30 percent for using highly efficient insulation in your home. Contact local utility companies to find out your state laws.
Any appliances that have this guarantee will most likely have an Energy Star logo branded on them somewhere. Appliances that designate themselves as being ENERGY STAR compliant are those that have met guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Energy and additionally the Environmental Protection Agency. You may have to purchase these appliances to get tax rebates.
Think about going green in terms of energy use in small steps, especially if your home cannot accommodate the solar panels or wind turbines necessary for a major infusion of green energy. Things like laptops, cell phones, iPods and other small gadgets can easily be powered up with smaller solar cells.
Do not leave your freezer and refrigerator open for a long period of time. Of course this can spoil your food, but it can also use large amounts of energy. When you are cooking but you need food from the refrigerator or freezer, keep it closed after you get something out of it.
A great tip to help save energy is to utilize daylight in your house. Rather than turning on your lights during the day, open up your shades, and let the sun naturally light up your home. You may even want to consider installing a skylight to really help illuminate your home.
Make sure that your air vents aren't blocked in some way. Blocked air vents can lead to increased energy usage due to the fact that you will turn up the cooling in your home because you don't feel the air coming out. Thoroughly inspect them to ensure nothing is blocking the air. If there is, you'll be surprised at the difference once you eliminate the problem.
If you are building a home, consider the placement of your windows carefully. If you place windows in the right areas of a home, they can act as a passive solar energy collector. This means that your windows can help you keep your home cooler in the summer, and warmer in the window. You will reduce your electric bill and your dependence on traditional energy sources.
A few simple steps, as detailed in this http://umass.edu/umfa/scholarship-detail?page=1/ article, are all it takes to change your life for the better. You will save money, help the environment and feel good about the work you've done. Use the tips you've read here https://www.gogreenenergyonline.com/ to get started as soon as possible.
