Going green is a good thing to do for you, your family and your community. Making some simple changes can slash your utility costs in half or more while saving electricity. Read the tips in this article so you can learn how to conserve energy.
Use window treatments to shade the inside of your home when you aren’t home. This cools the house and cuts energy costs. Typically, windows that face south are positioned so that they receive the most sun. Dark drapes, or even energy-efficient lined drapes, are your best bet.
During the hot summer months, hang clothes outside rather than tossing them in the dryer. The sun will dry your clothing for free and the summer breeze will leave it smelling amazing. You clothes will smell clean and fresh when line dried. You can save a significant amount on your utility bills, too, because the dryer uses energy and heats up the air, causing the air conditioner to run more often.
Don’t run the dishwasher unless it’s full in order to save energy and money. Never run it with just a few dishes inside. The dishwasher can actually fit a lot of dishes when loaded correctly. Set up the plates so that you fill it up as much as possible.
Take time to make sure to properly maintain the fridge. Since the refrigerator is an appliance that consumes a lot of energy, it is important to keep it in top-working order. Every week, check and see if dust has accumulated near the heating coils. If it has, take the time to remove it. Don’t forget to be certain to keep the seal surrounding the door tight and clean.
A good way to save on your electric bill is to switch to a laptop computer rather than using a desktop. Laptops use only about one quarter of the power consumption of a full desktop, and is ideal for those that use their computer for surfing the Internet or word processing. In addition, the laptop is portable and be used anywhere in the house.
Before you decide on large energy-saving projects for your home, get a professional evaluation of your existing appliances, windows and insulation and your heating and cooling systems. They will let you know how costly your appliances are, and they can give a detailed estimate on how much the costs will be to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
If you want to “go green” and do your part to help save the environment, you have a lot of options. Simply cleaning filters in the furnace and setting temperatures lower can help! Reduce your water heat temperature to one hundred twenty degrees to save money as well. Little things like this add up!
Less Energy
Replace old appliances with those labeled Energy Star. An appliance that has Energy Star uses less energy than an appliance that doesn’t have it. Appliances like fridges and freezers can use up to 20% less energy, while washing machines can save up to 50%.
As said previously in this article, going green doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming! Making a few easy changes can lower your electricity usage and save you money. Implement a few of these tips and pass the information on as well. You will be helping your family, your neighbors and the environment as a whole.