Going Green With Electronics: The Definitive Guide | Green Living

TIP! By cutting back on electricity use, you will save quite a bit of money. Unplug appliances that are not being used.

It can be overwhelming when you think about making your home greener. It’s hard to know where is the best place to start and which changes that should be made. The eco-friendly tips and techniques in this article can help you develop a green energy plan.

Solar Panels

TIP! Use a solar water heat system to lower water and heating costs. Heating your water with natural gas or electricity is inefficient.

Solar panels are easy to install. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. If you home is shaded, the amount of energy collected from solar panels will be greatly reduced.

TIP! Installing solar panels is a great way to save electricity. Before undertaking this project however, there are a few things to consider.

Replace or clean your furnace filter at least once every 90 days, and check it once per month for build-up. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. This will help ensure debris doesn’t enter heating ducts, thereby reducing your efficiency.

TIP! Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. If you live where freezing temperatures aren’t prevalent, you can purchase a system that can circulate water via a solar heater prior to being pumped to your home.

If your home is heated with fuel oil, ask a technician if you can switch to biodiesel. Many heating systems are able to change over to some biodiesel use without needing modifications or extra parts. Biodiesel runs more efficiently, burns more clean, and costs you less during the winter.

TIP! Check out all the different resources your community has available for energy. Find out what the cost would be to switch, how much it would cost to maintain, and whether your government has any legislation regarding its use.

Window coverings should remain closed while you are away. This keeps the interior of your home cooler or warmer, depending on the season, and reduces your energy bill. Usually, windows that face south receive the most sunlight. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.

TIP! When designing your solar PV system, try to locate the battery storage system as close to the PV cells as possible. This can stop power loss in the cable.

Consider installing a solar water heating system. This option is only applicable in areas that do not reach freezing temperatures. If you live in a warm climate, you can use a system that pumps your water through the solar heater before coming out of your pipes. Though you can use this system, it’s best to have a regular water heater for backup purposes, just in case there is a day with little sunlight or more water usage than normal.

TIP! Take time to read about passive and active solar power. Active power is power that is stored to be used for a later time, while passive power doesn’t require power storage cells.

Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Compare the costs of operating your home using several of these utilities, making sure to take into consideration any legislation with regard to energy costs that has recently been passed. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.

TIP! Think of using a laptop computer instead of a desktop model to save on your electricity usage. This can lower your electrical use by as much as 75%, particularly if you are someone who stays on the Internet for long periods of time.

If you are considering the installation of home solar energy, make sure you are aware of how much energy you will receive during the winter months. This can prevent surprises in the winter, so you ensure your home has proper energy inventory. If you generate excess energy during the summer, with the right plan, your utility company will send you a check!

TIP! Watch how many watts you use. Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt are both tools that help to monitor energy consumption.

Dress more warmly to be green and reduce energy costs. If you wear a light sweater, you’ll feel two degrees warmer. A thicker sweater adds about four degrees. Wearing slightly heavier clothes is not any less comfortable and can save you significant money.

Green Energy

TIP! An often-repeated, yet useful tip for anyone who wants to start saving energy today, is to flip off the light when they leave the room. Get yourself into the habif of always turning lights off and you can save a lot of energy.

The type of green energy system that will work for your home depends on the location and orientation of your house. With these different characteristics, the green energy technologies that will work may vary, significantly. Many are conducive to all homes, but others will be based on specific needs. Use the tips that work best for your home.