electric bill | Green Living | Green living tips and advice

TIP! Lower the cost of heating your indoor water, pools and hot tubs by switching to solar water heating systems. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to warm water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat.

Many people want to go green but have no idea how to go about it. There are a myriad of solutions available to help customers protect the environment through the use of alternative, renewable energy sources. The following article offers you great information on how you can incorporate green energy into your life now.

TIP! A simple way to save energy is to close the curtains. Shades or curtains can also help.

Use cold water for laundry, whenever you can. Almost 90 percent of the consumed energy while washing your clothes is spent on heating up the water. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to put in the washer.

TIP! You might be able to get a government grant to finance your green energy installation. Contact your local government for more information of programs near you.

If you heat your home with fuel, talk to a technician about using biodiesel. Some current systems can use forms of biodiesel without the need for modifications. Bio-diesel fuels burn more efficiently and cleaner than conventional petroleum- based fuel oil.

TIP! Do you currently own a farm? If you do happen to own some farmland, try renting some of the land to a power company that specializes in wind energy solutions. You and the neighbors can benefit from this free installation and energy which won’t take up much space.

Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there. A dishwasher can surprisingly hold a lot of dishes. Strategically load your dishwasher so that you fit in as many dishes as possible.

TIP! If you utilize a dishwasher, avoiding using it until it’s filled up. It will use the same quantity of water or energy even if one dish is in it.

Try to turn off things you are not using. 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! When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This way, you aren’t beyond your capacity in the winter, and you have plenty of excess power in the summer.

Keep your refrigerator well maintained. Refrigerators take lots of energy to run, so it’s crucial to make sure it is running effectively. Vacuum the coils frequently to remove the dust that can build up and reduce efficiency. Don’t forget to be certain to keep the seal surrounding the door tight and clean.

Storm Doors

TIP! Use energy saving products throughout your home to increase efficiency. Some green items, like environmentally freindly doors, will reduce your energy usage by a lot.

Air flow is better controlled in home that has stormed doors and windows installed. Storm doors and windows stop drafts from letting in so much cold air. Storm doors and windows can increase a home’s energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.

TIP! Monitor how many watts you’re using. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from.

One way to save energy is to limit the use of electrical heaters in the winter. Instead, wear multiple layers, slippers and socks, or even consider investing in a stove or fireplace. This is good for your health as well as your electric bill. Breathing cooler air at night helps keep your respiratory system healthy; you’ll avoid drying out your airways.

TIP! Try using LED lights as opposed to conventional ones for the next holiday season. According to a study by the U.

Use a laptop for your computing needs rather than a power hungry desktop. By doing this you could be saving around 75% off your electric bill, especially if you constantly use the Internet or type up papers. Since laptops are portable, you can use them anywhere.

TIP! Carpooling is a great way to save energy for transportation needs, even if your trip is to the mall or an after-school event. If your kids share activities with other children in the neighborhood, there’s no reason not to carpool to them.

Look for rebates for green-energy technology installations. In some instances, the local company gives rebates for upgrading to green tech. Other times, you may be eligible for credits or tax deductions from the federal or state government. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!

Green Energy

TIP! You may want to get bamboo items when you’re in the market for something made out of wood. It is a green product and is actually a grass; however, it is quite durable and works well even in high traffic areas.

It is more important than ever to focus on green energy, especially as oil prices continue to rise. If you have good information, it becomes simpler to include green energy technology into your life. Apply the ideas from this article, and start enjoying your greener life.