It’s important to take care of our planet, and that’s why we should strive to use green energy whenever we can. There are lots of alternative, eco-friendly energy sources you can use, such as solar or wind energy. What are ways that you can be more green on a day-to-day basis? Continue reading and you just might find out.
There are many government incentive programs you can take advantage of when it comes to green energy. Ask your local authorities what kinds of programs are available in your area. You may qualify to have wind or solar power installed at no cost to you. At a minimum they may allow you to deduct the charges from your taxes.
Be socially responsible, and unplug electric chargers for all devices that don’t need immediate charging. Chargers for cell phones, mp3 players, laptops and other devices draw some power when they are plugged in, regardless of whether you are actually charging the device.
One thing you might consider is heating your water with solar water heaters. The heater uses solar energy to heat water before sending it to your home. This can be useful if your home isn’t located in an area with cold temperatures. Make sure you own traditional water heaters for backup during cold days.
Learn about energy sources within your community. Determine which energy source is cheapest for your home. Don’t forget to account for any government incentives that might be in effect. Switching from electricity to gas, or from your city water supply to a well, may save you money.
Rather than using a dryer, dry your clothes outside, as long as the weather permits. The sun could give your clothes an incredible smell. It is a fresher smell than you would get from the dryer. You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.
Don’t leave appliances that aren’t in use, on. Make sure that all lights are off when you exit a room, and also consider switching off the power for your television set, computer and stereo. Connect your home electronics to a power strip and unplug it when they are not in use. Phantom power draws from electronics in standby mode is a big problem.
When installing solar panels, ensure that the energy-storing batteries are installed as close to the cells as possible. This procedure guards against power loss as energy travels through the cable. It also prevents the cable covering the cells, which would reduce their generation capability.
Maintain your refrigerator well. Since the fridge consumes lots of energy, it’s key to maintain it in working order. Clean the dust off of the heating coils on a regular basis. Also, ensure that the door seals tightly and that it is clean.
Upgrading your water heater to a tankless style saves a lot of energy. Instead of keeping a whole tank of water hot at all times, tankless models only heat the water you are actually going to use. There are tankless heaters designed to not only provide one area with hot water, but also to heat entire houses.
We need to be using more green forms of energy, now more than before. While every source of power will impact the world in some way, green sources are the best options for lowering our impact on the world we live in. The information in this article will help make your life greener.