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Environment-friendly Power As well as Your Family members: Points You Must Think about

Would you like to use greener, more sustainable forms of energy, but aren't sure where you should start? Do you want to make a difference, but aren't sure if you can? You're in the right place. Keep on reading this article to learn how you can make the most of green energy, and how you can make a difference in the world.

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.

Before you start incorporating green energy sources into your home, you should cut back on the amount of electricity you use. Make sure you're not wasting power by leaving things turned on when you're not using them. This way, when you make the switch over to alternative energy sources, you'll be more efficient with your energy usage.

Cover your windows when no one is at home. Your house will stay cool and you won't use as much energy this way. Southern facing windows receive the most sunlight. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.

Insulate your home. A pre-1950 home that isn't insulated will use approximately 60 percent more energy than a house that was built after 2000. Adding sufficient insulation to your attic and basement will greatly improve your home's energy efficiency. As well as keeping you warm in the winter, you will find that the home remains much cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for an air conditioner.

If you are planning on installing solar panels, understand the amount of maintenance required. You have to keep the photovoltaic cells clean. If the cells are installed on your roof, this could mean climbing all over your roof as often as once a month. If you are not able to do that, you'll need to hire someone.

Are you still using oil heat? You could switch to a greener solution without replacing your furnace. Find a qualified technician to inspect your system and make sure you can switch to a biofuel. Biofuels are non-toxic, degradable and renewable sources of energy that you will be able to re-use.



Air flow is controlled best in homes with storm windows and doors. This is because storm windows and doors prevent drafts, which means less cold air enters the home. Energy efficiency can be increased up to 45% in a home with storm windows and doors.

If at all possible, consider switching your electric or oil heating to gas. This is both better for the environment and your pockets. Just be aware that this is can be a complicated job that should be taken on by a skilled expert, should you decide to make this switch.

Seal any air leaks in your home. Air leakage, or infiltration typically occurs when the outside air enters your house uncontrollably via openings and cracks. You can properly seal these openings and cracks via sealant or weatherstripping. This greatly reduces cooling and heating costs, betters your building's durability, and helps you mainatain a healthier home environment.



Try insulating your pipes to decrease the chances of them freezing and http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming to cut the costs for hot water. Another added benefit is that the government will reimburse you up to 30 percent for using highly efficient insulation in your home. Contact local utility companies to find out your state laws.

Making changes to an existing home is very costly. If you want to start using green energies, you should think about moving or getting a new house built. Look for certain features such as running water or good exposure to the sun and wind when buying a new property or home.

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.

A great way to help save energy and live a greener lifestyle is to purchase energy efficient appliances. Make sure that any new appliances you buy have the Energy-Star rating as this not only saves a great deal of energy, but it can also lower your power bill significantly.

Write to your local politicians and ask them to support green energy initiatives. Consumers have the power to ignite significant change in the products that are being developed. The higher the demand for such products, the more companies will focus on manufacturing green products and lowering the prices on them. Manufacturers will also be encouraged to upgrade their production practices if they want to remain profitable.

Get a greener home by making more responsible light usage a priority. Try led area lighting led to wait as long as you can before you turn on lights in the summer months when the sun is out longer. Dimmer switches can reduce energy usage, as can the use of sensors that will turn lights off when no one is in a room.

Avoid using your clothes dryer whenever possible. Drying your clothes outside on a washing line is one of the simplest ways to save energy costs. The clothes dryer is the third-largest energy user in the home, accounting for almost 6 percent of yearly energy consumption, and costing more than $100 to operate.

Programmable thermostats can help you significantly reduce your energy usage. They have certain setting that allow you to regulate the temperature during any time of the year. You can actually help program them to manage temperatures in the day and night.

Some forms of insulation do not require professional services but rather can simply be pushed into an open area. These types of insulation are an ideal way to improve the energy efficiency of everything from your attic to your crawl spaces to your basement and the spaces between floors. This type of insulation can also be inserted whenever you repair drywall.

So as you can see, it really is not that hard to make changes in your life that will help you take advantage of green energy. So, take that first step and see what even a small change can make. In return, you will be sure to make the world a better place for all.