The idea of going green in the home may make many people scratch their heads. It can be rather confusing and maybe a bit intimidating; if you are unsure about what steps can be taken to improve the way energy is used in your home. Read on to get some information that will assist you in going green.
While it is a great idea to turn off your computer when you are not using it, it can be a waste of energy if you do it while you will only be away from it or short periods of time. It is best to wait until before you go to bed when you know there will be hours before you use it again.
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or laws before making a decision. You may choose, for example, to go from electric to natural gas for heating, or using a well instead of city water.
Use curtains to assist you in keeping green. If it is summer and you want the room to stay cool, draw the curtains during the day so that the sun doesn't shine in. If it's winter, and you want the room to stay warm, open the curtains and let the sun into your room.
Green living is not only about buying the right products, but it is about saving on energy when ever possible. When you are not in the room, take the time to turn off your ceiling fans to conserve energy and not waste power. If you are not in the room, there is no need to have the fan on.
Support your local green energy providers by purchasing energy from them. You can check online to see if any of your local energy providers sell wind, hydro, or solar energy. By switching from the standard energy, you http://my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/147110990263/industrial-led-lights-how-to-choose will send a message to your provider; you prefer cleaner energy. You will also be support the development of green energy in your area.
Think outside of the box. While many people think 'solar' panels when they think of green energy, there are other ways to take advantage of the sun. If you are building a new home, consider incorporating passive solar design into the home. By building with materials such as concrete or adobe and taking advantage of the sun's natural heat with south-facing windows, you can create a home that will naturally heat itself in the winter and stay cool in the summer.
Learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Passive solar systems are less expensive but cannot store energy like active solar systems do. Active solar power requires a lot of involvement in the form of installation, mechanics, and power cells. Passive power uses the simple sun to generate thermal energy to heat your house.
An easy way to make your home greener is to replace your old light fixtures with ones, which are ENERGY STAR qualified. If you are unable to install ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures at the moment, at least replace your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which use much less energy.
You do not have to leave your electronics behind to live a green lifestyle. Recharge your electronics with solar chargers and you no longer have to be concerned with your electronics being a drain on the environment. It is a small investment that pays off quickly in electric bills and a guilt-free conscience.
Turn off all appliances. When not using appliances in your home, make it a habit to turn them off when not in use. Items such as televisions, computers, and lights should all be off so you can prevent unwanted energy use. Not only is this good for using less energy, your electric bill will be much less too!
Those looking to save energy and live a greener life may want to consider reducing the amount of lighting in their house. Ask yourself if you really need four lamps in a single room, or read with a book light rather than using your rooms lighting at night. This simple tip can go a long way to reducing your energy consumption.
Pay attention to the thermostat in your home. Installing a programmable thermostat makes it easier for you to track the temperature in your house, and turn the heat down when you aren't at home. Between 1 and 3 percent of your energy costs can be cut for each degree you turn it down!
Ask the electric company to help you figure out how to increase the energy efficiency in your home. Several light and utility companies provide tips and tools on their website to let you know the amount of energy you are using and wasting. Look into programs that help you buy energy-efficient appliances.
Lighting has changed immensely over the last couple decades, and one energy efficient method for lighting a home that many consumers still have not grasped is the energy saving light bulb. These not only save you money on energy costs, but they last longer anyway. If you have not switched to energy-efficient light bulbs in your home, now is the time. The quality and variety of these lights is better than ever.
If you are trying to save on your electricity bill, try to use your ceiling fan more in the summer. A ceiling fan can help to make any room feel about 10 degrees cooler, and it costs much less to run than an air conditioner does. You will be saving money and also using less electricity, meaning you're doing something great for the environment.
Checking seals in fridges and ovens are good ways to keep from wasting energy. If the seal is loose or broken, your refrigerator will run more often than it should, which will run up your energy bill and harm the environment. Test how well your seal works by placing a piece of paper in the door, shutting it, and seeing if the paper slides out easily.
Many people believe that turning certain equipment and appliances off or unplugging them shortens the life of the said equipment and appliances. This is not true. This myth dates back to older computers, and many people carry this belief system into the current day. Turning appliances and equipment off or unplugging them cuts down on energy costs immensely and does not hurt the machinery at all.
As was stated earlier in this article, the utilization of environmentally-friendly, green energy is the future of http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Global-Warming.aspx energy technology. Knowing the right ways to use this technology is very important and will ensure that you receive all of the many benefits that green technology has to offer. Apply what you've learned from this article, in order to go green today.
