Using the sun, water or wind to create energy helps the environment, as well as the cost of energy in your home. For those who seek to make green energy changes within your home, read on and gather some great knowledge that will help you make those changes and reap the rewards.
Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. These lamps are very cheap, as they require no external power source, just the sun. This does more than just save energy. You will not have to hook up the lights to an electrical source.
Rather than using a dryer, dry your clothes outside, as long as the weather permits. Your clothing will have a great smell from the sun. Your clothes will smell fresher when dried naturally rather than in the dryer. You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.
If you’re not using an appliance, turn it off. When you are ready to leave a room, go around and turn off appliances such as computers, televisions, and most importantly, the overhead light. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s completely full. Your dishwasher consumes the same energy and water, even if it is half full. Also ensure that it is set to air-dry if you are aiming to reduce your energy consumption.
As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. This can prevent surprises in the winter, so you ensure your home has proper energy inventory. You may even get rebates from your utility company in summer months if you sign up for net usage and use solar panels.
Putting on a few more layers can help you save money in the winter. A sweater that is heavy adds 4 more degrees of warmth, and a lighter sweater adds 2 degrees. The more layers you wear at home, the less energy you will need to use heating your house.
Active Solar Power
Learn about the differences between passive and active solar power. Active power can be stored for later use. Passive power must be utilized more quickly but no expensive storage cells are required. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. Passive solar power uses the heat of the sun to hold thermal energy within your home.
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 consultants will visit your home, assess your energy usage, and provide options at several price points for making smart and economical green upgrades.
Water-saving toilets are easy to find and install. Toilets account for approximately 50 percent of water usage in the average home. A water-saving toilet cuts that by about 70 percent.
Improve your home today to see financial and environmental benefits tomorrow. As this article states, going green isn’t something that is expensive or complicated. Use the advice you find here in working to create an environmentally friendly house today.