What is green energy? It is a way to power our vehicles, electronics and other items, without hurting the environment in the process. This article will outline some tips and tricks on how to harness the power you need for everyday activities, without hurting the planet in the process.
Air dry your laundry. If the weather allows you to, after you wash your laundry, instead of running it through the dryer, dry it on a clothesline outside. Let the sun and wind dry your clothes for you. Using an electric dryer will only use up energy, and if the weather is nice, you can save energy easily. In addition, your clothes will last longer.
While it makes sense to change from traditional light bulbs to energy-saving light bulbs you should wait until your old ones are all burned out. It is not a good idea to throw away perfectly good bulbs in order to make the switch since that would be a way to waste energy as well.
Plant trees around your home. The trees will help provide shading for you home and therefore will help keep your home cooler in the hot summer months. It will not require as much air conditioning to keep it at your desired temperature. Since trees lose leaves in the winter, they will still allow the sun to come in and help heat your home during the winter months.
Turn your computer off when you are not using it. This includes anything connected to the computer, such as the printer. When these are on, even if in hibernate mode, they are drawing electricity. When you are done browsing or working, turn off the computer and turn off the strip plug to save electrical energy.
Find out more about ground source heat pumps. These pumps are located under your home and pump the natural heat of the earth to keep you warm. This system can be costly but the pumps use very little power and can last up to fifty years. Invest in this system if you are going to stay in a home for decades.
If there is running water on your property, you should consider investing in a good hydro-power solution. A simple mill can turn into an energy generator. Get in touch with Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to find out if your stream is strong enough to produce a significant amount of power.
When you are working at home on your computer, take the time to turn it off along with the printer and any other speakers or accessories attached to it. These constant drains on your cost you a bundle in the long run and make your overall impact on society less green.
Change how you use your electronics to make them more energy efficient and kind to the environment. Batteries on electronics are designed to be used. To keep your battery healthy you have to exercise it by using your electronic not plugged in. It is better for the device and keeping it plugged in after it is fully charged only wastes electricity.
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. In a few cases, local utility companies tend to offer rebates for expenses associated to upgrades. You may also get state and federal tax deductions for making your home more energy efficient. Rebates and tax credits can make it a lot cheaper to upgrade your home, to make it more energy efficient.
Try receiving as much messaging as you can via email. Eliminate as much paper from companies as you can. Not only will the business save on the cost of paper, but you will be saving energy from the production of that paper as well. Not only that, it is also great for the environment too.
Keep an eye on how many watts of electricity you use. You can do this by using Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder gadgets. These will help you find where your energy is being consumed. Gadgets can be set to give you the energy-usage amounts for hours, months or years. This is a good way to find out how much your appliances are really costing you.
If possible, try to use a laptop computer, rather than a desktop. And, if the battery is full on your laptop, do not have it plugged into the charger. Desktop computers are perhaps one of the biggest energy users in your home, which is why why having a laptop is beneficial.
A great way to garden green and efficiently use green energy is to xeriscape. This means plant native plants in your yard so that there is less maintenance and energy used on it. You will save by not using a lawn mower and you will not have to use energy on your sprinklers to water natural plants as often.
Don't overlook your utility company's resources when it comes to making your home greener. Many electric companies can give you data showing your peak hours of energy consumption and ways to reduce energy consumption. You may also be able to find rebates or other programs to help you get energy-efficient light bulbs or appliances.
You can reduce your monthly energy bills by air-sealing. This means sealing off openings in your home where hot and cool air can either escape or get inside the home. Places to seal include windows, doors, gaps around attic access hatches and pull-down stairs. Look for anyplace where you can find gaps that allow heat or cool air to escape!
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.
Now it's up to you to take what you've learned here and put it to use. Keep these tips handy and continue to seek out more information. Soon, you'll be able to run everything you need, from the washing machine to your car, in an environmentally responsible manner and that will feel great!
Orignal From: Green Energy: Technology That Is Good For The Home And The Earth
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