Living green can produce a sense of pride because you know you are protecting the environment. That's great, but are you aware of how much green energy helps you, personally? That's right, green energy can save you money in energy costs. This article has some great tips for using green energy to benefit everyone.
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.
If your property has a your input here small stream running through it, you can install a micro hydropower system. These systems divert a small amount of the water through http://www.greenenergycorp.com/projects/ a turbine or wheel, providing energy that can be used to light and heat your home. If the flow is strong enough, you can power multiple homes on one of these systems.
Run the dishwasher when it's full instead of half-full in order to save energy and money. If you only have a couple of dishes, do not put them in the dishwasher and turn it on. Your dishwasher can probably hold a lot more dishes than you think. Line up the same types of dishes, such as plates and cups so you are filling it completely.
If your property has a small stream running through it, you can install a micro hydropower system. These systems divert a small amount of the water through a turbine or wheel, providing energy that can be used to light and heat your home. If the flow is strong enough, you can power multiple homes on one of these systems.
As a way to live greener, purchase power strips for your home. In areas where you have multiple electronics, you can utilize these power strips as a central hub where you may shut off all power to these electronic devices when they are not in use. As an example, if you have a home office, by plugging in your computer, printer, wireless router, and desk lamp into a power strip, you can turn them all off with the flip of a single switch when you are finished with your day's work.
One way to save energy is to limit the use of electrical heaters in the winter. Rather, purchase some warmer clothes for your family and use a pellet stove or fireplace to heat up the living areas. Also, it has been shown that people sleep better in cooler temperatures.
Wash your clothes in cold water. Clothes come just as clean if you use cold water instead of hot water, and making the switch can save a lot of energy. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is the energy the water heater uses to heat the water.
A solar oven can be an easy and free way to bake. Solar ovens can be created with old windows, boxes, and foil. The temperature in these ovens can heat up to 300 degrees, they can be put together in a few minutes, and the only energy they use is the sun.
Replace your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. To receive an Energy Star rating from the government, appliances must meet minimum efficiency standards, unlike the non-rated appliances you may currently own. You will find that Energy Star rated refrigerators use about 20% less energy, and clothes washing machines use about 50% less.
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient is by replacing all of your standard light bulbs with green versions. Not only do such bulbs reduce your energy bill through lower wattage and higher efficiency, but these bulbs are also made to last longer, giving you a two-fold return for your investment.
Switch all of your home's light bulbs to more energy-efficient ones. Even though they may be more pricey than normal bulbs, they will save you money in the long run, by lowering your electricity bill. They not only produce more light than other bulbs, but they also last much longer.
Replace your furnace with one that has the Energy Star seal on it. You can save 15 to 20 percent on your month energy costs if you purchase a highly efficient furnace. You can even get a federal tax credit that will help cover the cost of your new furnace!
Replace an old washing machine with a high-efficiency model for a greener way to do your laundry. High-efficiency machines come in both top-loading and front-loading designs that use less water than standard machines. They also spin clothes at high speeds to wring more water out of them, helping them dry faster.
If you have a garden you need to water, but you want to save energy, stay away from a hose and use a watering can instead. Hoses use up a lot of energy and will increase your water bill. Even though it may take longer to use this method, it is worth it.
Choosing to switch to green energies is a decision you should make after considering how much money you will really save. You should have a good idea of how much energy you are currently using and what it is costing you. Take into consideration the cost of the green energy system and the amount of energy it is expected to produce.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer set to the optimum temperatures. These appliances are two of the biggest energy wasters in the modern home. Be sure the temperature in your refrigerator is set between 38-42 degrees (F) and in your freezer to -5 degrees (F). Anything lower and you are burning energy unnecessarily.
Think about trying dehumidifiers. Humid air generally feels warmer. Running a dehumidifier will suck moisture out of the air and make it feel cooler while using less energy and costing you less to run. You may not even have to use your air conditioner.
If replacing all your windows and doors simply is not an option, you can still improve their energy efficiency quickly and cheaply with nothing more than a caulk gun and some weather stripping. Run your hand around the outer edge of doors and windows to feel for cool areas that indicate leaks, then apply a thin layer of caulk or a weather strip.
After reading this article, green energy technology should be less of a mystery to you. Use some of the tips you have just read, in order to help you begin using green energy technology. Soon, you'll be on your way to using green energy technology to help you to create an environmentally-friendly home.
