How Can I Start Using Green Energy? | Green Living

TIP! Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. The solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and will not need any additional power other than direct sunlight.

It’s more popular than ever to go green. There is much money to be saved when you go green, and you help out the environment as well. In this article you will learn how to put green energy to work in your home as soon as today.

TIP! Solar panels that collect solar energy to be used are easy to have installed at your home. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first.

Consume energy more wisely by unplugging your device chargers when they are not in use. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw “phantom power” if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.

TIP! Do you currently own a farm? You could rent a small portion of your property to an energy company willing to install a wind turbine. You and your neighbors will benefit from free energy and this installation will not take a lot of space.

Do you have a large plot of land? If so, you can rent a portion of it so wind turbines can be installed. You could take advantage of the energy offered and the space requirements are minimal.

TIP! If you use fuel oil to heat your home, a technician can give you information about changing over to biodiesel. Some current systems can use forms of biodiesel without the need for modifications.

If you use fuel oil to heat your home, a technician can give you information about changing over to biodiesel. A lot of the existing systems can be modified with minimal parts or alterations. Biodiesel is a clean choice when it comes to fuel, and using it will reduce the impact that your family has on the environment.

TIP! Keep covers on your windows when not in your home. This keeps the interior of your home cooler or warmer, depending on the season, and reduces your energy bill.

A solar water heater may be a viable option in your home. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. It’s a good idea to use a supplemental water heater, however, if you cannot count on constant sunshine or if your hot water consumption is high.

TIP! If you are thinking of installing a solar power system in your home, you need to calculate the amount of power the system can produce using winter sunshine hours. That way you won’t run out of energy during winter months, and you will have more than enough in the summer.

Replace a water heater that is tank-style, with a model that is green and has no tank. While heaters that are tankless still need electricity or gas, they will not heat more water than you need, which is what a water tank heater does. Tankless water heaters are available to purchase in many different sizes; you can heat water for your whole house, or just a single faucet.

TIP! When planning out your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the cells as possible. This prevents energy from dissipating in a long cable.

Electric heaters should only be used when necessary in order to be more green. Dress more warmly when around the house. Wear slippers and a heavy top, and light up your fireplace or pellet stove for increased warmth at low cost. Also, it has been shown that people sleep better in cooler temperatures.

Active Power

TIP! Make your home energy-efficient with products that conserve power. If you install double-glazing on your windows, weather-sealed doors, and other similar products, you can drastically decrease the amount of electricity needed for your home.

When looking at solar power, know the difference between passive solar power and active. Active power is stored for use at a later time, passive does not require expensive cells to store the power. To use active power it requires mechanical systems, solar panels and cells. Passive energy is using the sun’s thermal energy to heat your house.

TIP! If you can afford it, invest in a laptop rather than using a desktop as they tend to use more energy. This could possibly reduce your electrical use by 75 percent, especially if the Internet is used frequently or there is heavy use of word processing software.

Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative. This could possibly reduce your electrical use by 75 percent, especially if the Internet is used frequently or there is heavy use of word processing software. You can also bring your computer anywhere if you have a laptop.

TIP! Try to get your mail, like bills, sent to you through email. Specifically, go paperless whenever you can.

You can use biofuels as a heat source for your home. This type of fuel is usually made with a combination of animal fat, vegetable oil and wood. If you are currently using propane to heat your home, adjustments can be made to your system that will allow you to switch to using a blend of fuels. This way, you would have approximately 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Always speak with a professional who will guide you in how to properly use this type of fuel.

TIP! LED lights should be used during the next holiday season. The use of LED lights reduces the use of electricity according to research.

As you can see, these tips and information can be put to good use in creating a greener lifestyle. There are many benefits to using green energy and doing so will give you a positive feeling. Use the tips from the article above and increase your home’s efficiency.