economic downturn | Green Living | Green living tips and advice

TIP! If you heat your home with fuel, talk to a technician about using biodiesel. Some systems do not need any modifications in order to use biodiesels.

Green energy is increasing in popularity of late, due to the current economic downturn everyone is aware of. Green energy is an inexpensive way to keep other natural resources and it is also a way for people to spend less money in such economic times. Continue reading to get some basic green energy tips.

TIP! Window coverings should remain closed while you are away. This helps to keep your house at a cooler temperature and lower the amount of energy used.

Simply lessening the amount of daily energy consumption can save lots of energy. If an appliance is not in use, unplug it. Turn off the lights and TV when not in the room. This simple suggestion helps cut your electricity bills.

TIP! Find out about the various energy sources that are available in your local community. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs.

If you want to preserve energy, keep your windows so they are shaded from sunlight. Using curtains or blinds is a good way to block unwanted sunlight. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You will save energy and money as well.

TIP! If you want to save money and energy, only run your dishwasher when it is completely full of dishes. Properly loading the dishwasher prior to running it will save both energy and money.

Try wearing natural fabrics in the summer as opposed to using the air conditioner. Cotton and linen wick away moisture from your skin so that you stay cooler. Wear lighter colored clothes, as darker colors tend to make you feel hotter, which results in your putting on the AC.

Reduce your energy consumption by unplugging anything that is not in use, especially battery chargers. Cell phone and mp3 chargers draw energy even if they aren’t charging anything.

Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. Also, you may want your warm-air registers to have filters. This stops debris from blocking heating ducts.

TIP! Monitor your electricity consumption watt by watt. If you do not know the formula to figure out the energy each appliance uses, there are tools like a Kill-A-Watt that can give you the information instantly.

Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not home. This keeps your house cool and your energy costs down when you’re not there. Windows that face south tend to get more sun due to their orientation. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.

TIP! The next time you decorate your home or tree for the holiday season, use LED lights instead of standard light strands. A U.

Discover all the different sources of energy in your community. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or laws before making a decision. It might be good to switch to natural gas or well water, as an example.

TIP! Replace your old toilet with a water-saving one. Up to 50% of your home’s water is used by the toilets in your home.

When not being used, turn things off. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. Get a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at the same time, rather than letting energy get wasted in standby mode.

TIP! Try switching your old windows for more energy-efficient ones. The benefits to new windows will be seen in lower energy bills, less outside noise, less carbon dioxide, and less condensation on the windows.

Dishwashers that are not full when run, are not making efficient use of your energy. It consumes the exact same amounts of electricity and water even if it’s not full. When it is time to do a load of dishes, use the dishwasher’s energy-saving mode. This makes it so that the dishes air-dry rather than being dried by heat.

TIP! Install automatic light sensors with motion detection into your most highly trafficked rooms. These will turn off lights in rooms if you aren’t in them, which will save money and energy.

When choosing new windows or doors, consider the energy ratings as you shop. Ecologically friendly windows and doors can minimize the energy you need to operate your home efficiently. By installing these products, your home is sealed tighter, and you use less energy to heat and cool your home.

TIP! Weatherizing your home can help make it more energy efficient. You can reduce the energy needs of your home with energy efficient windows, heating and cooling systems, and by adding insulation and sealing ducts.

The information you’ve just read will not only save you money, but it will also provide benefits to the environment. You can save money easily–which everyone needs with the economic downturn–without putting in a lot of effort. Try these tips and see how easy it is to use green energy.