You're probably aware of some of the ways that green energy can help you conserve energy and money. There's many good reasons to use solar panels at home, like being eco-friendly and government incentives. This article gives you information on how and why to purchase solar panels.
Recycling is one of the easiest tasks that can make a greener home. Some towns automatically include costs for recycling in their garbage collection, so look into this! If not, certain states including Michigan will pay consumers to return bottles after use. Recycling is one of the best ways to cut energy costs!
During the heat of summer, wear natural-fiber fabrics instead of turning on the air conditioner. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, allow skin to remain cool by drawing moisture away from skin. Also, choose lighter color clothing, which reflects the sun rather than absorbs its heat.
Try using energy efficient light bulbs or even LED lights in your home to cut costs for lighting. Turning off the lights when you are not in the room also helps to save energy. Keep this in mind when you are leaving home, as simply turning off the lights saves a lot of energy!
Opt for solar lights instead of regular lighting when installing lights for outdoor use. This helps save on your energy costs, and they are very aesthetic as well. Solar lights are becoming increasingly popular, and they are a wonderful option for lighting the patio, garden, sidewalks, garage, and many other places.
In order to save energy at home, plug your electronics, including televisions and DVD players, into power strips and when you are not using them, turn off the power strips. Not only will you be preserving energy by doing this, but you will also be saving money on your electricity bill.
Simply cleaning or changing the filter on your furnace can cut electricity costs significantly. Too much dirt or dust built up in the vents can make more heat necessary to warm the house. It only takes a short amount of time to clean these, and you will notice the change in your bills!
Buy a solar water heater for your home. Water heaters consume a massive amount of electricity every day, even when not in use. By purchasing a water heater that harnesses energy from the sun you will see an instant reduction in your power bill. Make certain that it is well insulated.
Going green means many things, including saving energy in your home. One of the easiest and best money-saving ideas is to insulate your attic. The recommended insulation level for most attics is approximately 12 to 15 inches, depending on the type of insulation you are using. Attic insulation can save you a bundle on your energy bill!
Maintain your refrigerator. Keep your refrigerator in tip-top shape, and running at maximum efficiency, with minimal effort. Make a regular habit of removing dust from the refrigerator's heating coils. It's important to check that the seal is tight http://cooperwiring.com/content/public/en/bussmann/wireless/resources/distributor_locatornew.html and clean around the refrigerator door.
Make energy efficiency a sure thing in your home by installing a programmable thermostat and putting other appliances on timers. Set your thermostat for different temperatures at different times of the day, depending on who is or is not home. Likewise, set appliances on timers that shut them off regardless of whether or not anyone is home.
It is easy to live green,and still enjoy technology just by making small changes. Make your laptop more energy efficient simply by changing your wall paper. Using a dark or black wall paper, and screen saver uses less energy. This small amount of energy saved will add up over time, especially if you have more than one computer in the home.
Take advantage of the sun by installing solar panels on your roof. These panels will harvest the energy from the sun and convert it into usable power for your home. Most energy companies will purchase any excess power that is created. You will discover at the least, a reduction in your power bill each month.
Always have a backup power source for a wind generation system. Your system needs to be able to account for low-wind days. This backup could be another type of renewable source, such as a battery system powered by solar, or a diesel generator. Another option is to have the home plugged into the utility power grid.
Keep passive solar energy in mind when building or remodeling a home. Passive solar homes collect sunlight through specially-designed roofs, walls, windows, and flooring. Passive solar energy ranges from having windows angled to collect southern sun exposure to homes that are heated entirely with the use of the sun.
Putting the heat to 60 degrees in the middle of the night, or when you're gone, is a great way to conserve energy. At 60 degrees, your home uses far less energy than keeping the temperature higher. If you do this, you can cut down your energy usage and save money at the same time.
Consider the amount of energy it takes to run your computer. Different people hold different opinions on whether they prefer the use of a desktop or a laptop. There are two things for sure that cannot be argued against when it comes to laptops. They are portable, and they save you money on energy costs when compared to desktop computers. Computers are one of the pieces of equipment in your house that uses the most energy, so why not save some money?
You can save energy by getting an automatic lighting system. Sensors will automatically detect when there is not enough natural light and your lighting system will be turned on at an intensity high enough to compensate with the declining natural light. This is a good solution if you tend to leave lights on.
Deciduous Trees can come in handy when trying to save energy in your home. Place them in both your front and backyard if possible. This will help to shade your home, meaning that it will not get so hot. In turn, you will not have to use your air conditioning as much.
As you can see, there are many different types of "green energy" technologies. Because there are so many options, there is bound to be a way to put "green energy" to work for you, while doing your part for the future of the planet. Use the information that you've learned in this article, in order to make an informed choice for your personal energy needs.
