A lot of people are going green today and for many reasons. Living green has a unlimited number of environmental and monetary benefits. By taking the time to read the following article, you will find some information that you can put to use in your home right away.
Switch to a solar water heater to heat your pools, showers, hot tubs and kitchen faucets to save money. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to warm water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat. You may be eligible for tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.
Solar panels can be an excellent investment for the typical homeowner. But before you do this, there are a few things you must take into account. A big consideration is how much sunlight does your home typically receive? If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
When using a dishwasher to do the dishes, don’t let it run unless it’s all the way full. The same amounts of water and energy are used every time. Try using the energy-saving air-drying setting on your dishwasher.
Replace your tank-style water heater with a green, tankless model. 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. You can purchase tankless heaters that supply the whole house, or ones that supply just one faucet.
If you are on a mission to go green, start by keeping electric heaters off or on a very low setting during winter months. Ways to cut down on electricity include wearing warm clothing indoors and using a fireplace to heat your home. Cool air helps sleeping patterns, as well as improving breathing.
When choosing new windows or doors, consider the energy ratings as you shop. Insulated double-pane windows and eco-friendly doors are especially effective for saving energy. Using this type of product will cut down on heating and cooling energy costs.
Pay careful attention to rebates that may help you save money on renewable energy. Some utility companies also provide rebate opportunities for the installation of green technologies. Also, you will find that you can get a tax deduction or a credit from the federal or state government. These rebates and credits can substantially reduce the cost of installing green energy technology in your home.
Don’t use a lot of heat during the winter if it’s not absolutely necessary. When the temperature drops, reach for a sweater instead of the thermostat. This saves you from using energy that would be required to sustain heat at that high level.
See exactly how many watts of power you are using. Choose an energy monitor like the Kill-A-Watt or the Watt Minder to help you determine which devices and appliances consume the most energy. Gadgets can be set to give you the energy-usage amounts for hours, months or years. You can get a real idea of what your appliance is costing you and the environment.
Heat your house with biofuels. Bio-fuels consist of vegetable fat, animal fat, oils and wood. A propane furnace can be converted to use these types of fuels, or fuel blends. These changes would let you use biofuels is between 20 percent and 90 percent of the fuel used in the furnace. Because this is a significant alteration, talk with a professional about the substitution before attempting to make any changes on your own.
This article should have helped you out with your home. Green energy provides a number of benefits, including making you feel good about what you’re doing. Using what you’ve read here is a great first step in the right direction.