Green Energy Tips And Techniques From The Pros | Green Living

TIP! Do your best to keep your windows shaded from any sunlight. You can also try putting blinds or curtains in.

Homeowners can be confused and overwhelmed when thinking of making their home green. Knowing where to start and what changes to make can be terribly difficult. This article can help you learn how to make your home as green as it can be.

TIP! Consume energy more wisely by unplugging your device chargers when they are not in use. Chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cell phones and other devices use power when they’re plugged in.

If you are thinking of designing your outdoor areas with lighting, consider using solar lamps instead of conventional power. These lamps are cheap and don’t require any power besides sun exposure. This not only reduces energy costs, You will not have to hook up the lights to an electrical source.

TIP! Check your furnace and air conditioning filters monthly. Clean or replace them as needed.

Wear lightweight, natural fabric during the summer instead of running your air conditioner. Cotton and other natural fibers, draw the moisture away from your skin, and allow you to stay cooler. Wear lighter colored clothes, as darker colors tend to make you feel hotter, which results in your putting on the AC.

TIP! Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water.

Cover your windows if you’re not going to be home. Heavy drapes help keep you home cool, resulting in energy savings. South facing windows will receive the most sun, and therefore heat. Dark, lined curtains, roman shades or roller shades may be something to consider using on your windows.

TIP! Think about getting solar heaters to heat up your water at home. 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.

You can consider getting solar water heaters to heat your water. If you happen to live in a climate where freezing water isn’t going to affect you then you might want to invest into a system that circulates water through your solar heater before it is pumped into your home. However, it’s best to keep a traditional heater for times when you need a lot of heated water, or if the sun does not come out.

TIP! If you have a dishwasher, do not turn it on until it is full. It makes use of a fixed amount of energy no matter the amount of dishes it has.

Find out about various energy sources that are available in your area. Calculate the expense of using these types of utilities while noting any recent legislation pertaining to energy costs. You might find that you could save money by switching from an electric furnace to a natural gas one, for instance, or from using municipal water to your own well water.

TIP! Maintain your refrigerator well. Your fridge consumes a ton of energy, so make sure it’s in good shape.

Turn things off when not in use. For example, if you are not in a certain room, turn off the lights, TV or computer. Use power strips for home electronics. As well, turn this off when you’re not using your electronics. Products in standby mode still waste power.

TIP! You can get rid of your old, tank style water heater and switch it out with a new, greener, tankless one. Tankless heaters require less energy to heat water, as they only heat it as needed.

If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s completely full. Dishwashers consume a similar amount of water and electricity regardless of whether it contains one dish or 20. When you run the dishwasher, see to it that you are using its energy-saving setting; that will allow the dishes to dry using air.

TIP! Don’t use electric heaters unless you have to during the winter months. You can save electricity by avoiding these devices.

Take the time to properly maintain your refrigerator. Keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape, and running at maximum efficiency, with minimal effort. Use your duster to clean around your heating coils on a regular basis. Also, make sure that the seal around the door is clean and tight.

Energy Expenses

TIP! Turn the heat down in your house. If you are feeling cold, add a layer of clothing instead of reaching for the thermostat.

Whenever possible, choose to get your communications through email. To put it more simply, use paper as little as you can. This helps businesses you deal with reduce their energy expenses, and it helps you reduce energy expenses, as well. In addition, it will help protect the environment for all.

TIP! One of the oldest tips in the book is to make sure that you turn off all electronics and lights when you leave any room to save energy. It’s surprising how much energy is conserved after turning the lights off.

Homes greatly vary in layout and geographical area. Because of these differences, not every home is well-suited for all types of green technology. Some green technologies are suitable for every home, while others won’t be. When you see tips that fit your current scenario, make use of them wisely.