How can green energy improve your life? It can reduce your reliance on the almighty electrical grid, lower your energy bills and reduce your footprint on the planet. What steps can you take to help? Keep reading for insight on how to make this positive step. Read more
solar oven
Green Energy and You: Tips On How To Make Positive Changes
Why Should I Care About Green Energy Sources?
Using environmentally friendly energy is a great way to improve your home life and helps save the environment, too. Simple changes in your home can make it energy-efficient and reduce your electricity bill. Continue on for some helpful green energy tips at home.
Reduce the price of heating water in pools, hot tubs and inside your home by using solar-powered heating systems. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. These upgrades may cost more, but qualify for tax deductions, too.
Installing solar panels is a great way to save electricity. There are several things that should be considered prior to installing solar panels. The most important consideration is how much your home is exposed to sunlight. When in a shaded area, or city with less sunny days, there won’t be as many benefits from solar power.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren’t using them. Chargers for laptops, mp3 players, cell phones and other devices use power when they’re plugged in. This happens regardless of whether you’re using the device or not.
Check what other energy sources are available in your neighborhood. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. You might be able to save money by switching to well water or natural gas heat.
Turn you appliances off when you are not using them. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. Use power strips for your electronics, and make sure to turn it of when you are not using it. If it is in standby it’s still wasting power.
If you utilize a dishwasher, avoiding using it until it’s filled up. The dishwasher uses the same energy when full that it uses when empty, but you’ll have to run it less often. 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.
Solar Energy
Use solar energy to provide hot water cheaply. Simply put, all you need is a hot water system that uses solar energy. There are direct circulation systems and also direct ones. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.
A solar oven is an energy efficient way of baking. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. These ovens are no slouches. They can be heated up to 300 degrees, consume no energy, and are simple to construct.
Make sure you remind yourself to be on top of being energy efficient and check into your energy bills on a monthly and annual basis to see what the difference is. The more aware you are of using energy, the easier it is to reduce your energy use. If you form good habits of cutting your electric or water usage, turning off appliances and lights when not in use becomes automatic.
As you can now see, you do not have to spend a lot of money to go green. Usually this can be accomplished with just a few simple changes that can save you money on electricity costs. Keep what you’ve read here in mind, and consider sharing this article with friends and family so they can benefit from green energy along with you.
Green Energy 101: Everything You Need To Know
To protect the environment and decrease energy costs, it is important that you have green energy in your home. You do not have to purchase a car that is electric in order to make this work! Keep reading for some easy techniques for making your home more efficient with regards to energy, no matter what your budget is.
To save money on your electric bills, simply try to minimize the electricity you use. Unplug your electrical appliances from outlets when not in use. Television sets and lights should never be left on when not in use. This simple tip will save you money as well.
If you are trying to conserve energy in the summer, be sure to keep your shades drawn to block out the sun. Keep blinds closed and curtains drawn. Keeping your home cool in the summer means you will not be tempted to use the air conditioning as much. You will save energy, as well as money.
Cut down on air conditioning by wearing natural fibers in the summer. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw the moisture further from your skin and let it stay cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
Green Energy
There are grants that can help you invest in green energy. Speak with the government in your area about these programs. Some areas provide rebates for green energy product installation, or provide tax relief as an incentive.
To conserve energy and save money, only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. Don’t run it when there are only a few dishes there. You’ll be shocked at the amount of dishes it can hold. Line up the same types of dishes, such as plates and cups so you are filling it completely.
Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. There are many solar hot-water appliances to get the job done. You may pick between a direct or indirect circulation system. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.
If you want to live greener and have a greener home, avoid running electric heaters during the winter. Use a fireplace in place of the heater and wear warm layers of clothing. 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.
If you aren’t sold on making a large green energy investment at home, then bring in a professional heating expert or plumber to take a look at your existing systems. They can advise you about how much inefficient appliances cause you to lose financially, and they can estimate the price of upgrading or simply replacing your old systems.
Solar Oven
A solar oven can be an easy and free way to bake. A solar oven can be made by using an old window, a box and for reflection, a piece of foil. These ovens are no slouches. They can be heated up to 300 degrees, consume no energy, and are simple to construct.
Monitor how many watts you’re 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. If you connect an appliance to either of these devices, it can calculate the energy savings you could realize over a given period of time if you switched to green power, from an hour to a year. It gives concrete information about how much energy the appliance is wasting.
Now that you have read this article you surely can see how easy it is to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Be an example for family members so others will see how simple it is to live a greener life! Utilize the tips in this article and put them in place today.