It doesn’t take all that much time and money to go green these days. If you make a few simple changes, you can cut utility costs and improve the environment at the same time. Continue reading to learn how you can use green energy and help our environment.
If you’re designing any kind of outdoor lighting, you may want to think about installing solar-powered lamps. These lamps aren’t costly and do not need additional power sources other than direct sun exposure. This saves you a lot of energy. It will also save you money by not having to wire the outdoor lights to your home.
Use solar heating systems to heat all your water in order to save money. Solar water heaters use solar energy in an efficient way to heat your water. While some upgrades cost more initially, they can qualify you for deductions on your tax return for using green energy.
Shading your windows from direct sunlight can help you use less energy. Adding some window coverings can also help. When you do these things, you then make your house cooler and reduce the amount of air conditioning you use during the summer. The result is a significant energy savings and money in your pocket!
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. Whenever you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off lights, televisions, and computers. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Upgrading your water heater to a tankless style saves a lot of energy. Tankless versions still need electricity or gas to heat water, but they are more effective in heating solely the water necessary instead of a huge tank of water constantly. Tankless heaters can be acquired in models that could give the whole house or even just a single water faucet with water that is hot.
Electric heaters are an energy hog and should be avoided as much as possible in the winter. They are not environmentally friendly. You can invest in warmer clothes and take advantage of your fireplace or pellet stove in order to heat your living areas. Remember, cooler air during sleep is better for breathing, and keeps the airways from drying out.
Use LED lights for home and tree decorations at the holidays. According to a report from the U.S. By having everyone make this change, the country can save 2 billion kilowatt power hours. That is enough electricity to power 200 thousand homes for a whole year. You can at least look forward to saving money on your energy bills!
A good green energy tip while cooking at home is to use a microwave whenever you can. Ovens use much more energy than the microwave for cooking. Whenever possible, heat things in the microwave to cut energy costs.
Although not all people consider global warming as a threat, everyone can benefit from the use of green energy in their home. Using some of the ideas above, you can make changes one at a time can save money yearly on your electric bill.