In this age, everyone realizes how important it is to be better stewards to the environment that surrounds us. Using green energy is a great way to care for the planet, while saving money as well. The article below will show you some of the best methods that you can use to make green energy work for you.
The government has set up several incentive programs to help consumers switch to renewable energy sources. Contact your city or county government and ask about energy conservation programs available in your area. You may qualify for free wind or solar installation, or you may find that you can deduct some of your expenses on your taxes.
Check your furnace and air conditioning filters monthly. Clean or replace them as needed. You should put filters in registers that are warm-air too. This will help keep debris or dirt from clogging vents and reducing their overall efficiency.
Try to use cold water for washing clothes. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. As long as your detergent is good, cold water washing can be just as effective as warm water. Furthermore, bear in mind that you will get maximum efficiency from washing a load that is full, rather then multiple small loads.
Think about buying solar water heaters for heating your water. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have to worry about freezing temperatures, you can get a system that will circulate the water through a solar heater before pumping it into your home. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.
Make use of your dishwasher only when you have a full load in order to save energy and money. Properly loading the dishwasher prior to running it will save both energy and money. You may be shocked to learn the number of dishes that can be loaded into a dishwasher. Align the dishes so several can fit inside.
You can obtain hot water for a cheap cost with solar energy. You can go shopping for a solar system that will heat your water. There are direct circulation systems and also direct ones. Indirect systems are the best option for those who have frozen pipes during the winter.
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. This is because they decrease the amount of cold air circulating through your home. Homes which have stormed windows and doors increase their energy efficiency by as much as 45% which also ends up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Use a laptop rather than a desktop computer to save electricity and enhance your mobility. You can reduce your energy use by three-quarters if you use the internet a lot or do a lot of word processing. Also, you can bring the laptop with you wherever you go.
If you don’t know what changes to make, consider having a heating expert or plumber come to your home and give you a list of changes you can make to cut your energy costs. These professionals can inform you of how much you are wasting by using appliances that are not energy efficient. That can also provide you with an estimate of how much it will be to replace your systems.
As you can see, there are many ways to lessen your carbon footprint by making practical changes in the energy efficiency of your home. The financial savings alone is enough to make you want to go green!