Helping the environment is easy when you begin to use green energy solutions within your own home. It will also have many added benefits, such as power when the grid is down, and even the money making opportunity of selling power back to the gird. So read on for tips on how you can get involved.
Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. Solar lamps are relatively inexpensive and can save you a great deal on wiring and electricity expenses. This, of course, will save you a lot of money. It also means you don't need to wire your outdoor lights.
Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished.
There are government grants available for investing in renewable energy. Check with the local government and see what programs are available to you. You may qualify for wind or solar installation with little cost, or possibly you may be able to use it as deduction on your taxes.
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!
Think small. If you are unable to use alternative energy for your entire house, start with just one room. You can use alternative energy sources in one room and when you are ready, install it in another room. This way you are not overwhelmed with the expense of making over your house to use alternative energy.
You do not have to spend a lot to be a green energy consumer. You can just change your habits and be green. You can certainly save big by driving the speed limit and not over use your gas pedal. You can save as much as 20 percent on gas if you just follow those two rules.
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!
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.
Keep up with your watt usage. Use gadgets such as Kill-A-Watt or Watt Minder and figure out what your consumption is and where it is coming from. Gadgets can be set to give you the energy-usage amounts for hours, months or years. You can get a real idea of what your appliance is costing you and the environment.
Insulating your hot water cylinder can help you to save large amounts of energy in your home. Putting insulation around your pipes helps your hot water to run more quickly as well. If you are unsure of how to do this yourself, you may want to enlist the help of a professional.
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.
Think about buying products that are made from bamboo when you are purchasing wood items. It is a green product and is actually a grass; however, it is quite durable and works well even in high traffic areas. It replenishes itself rapidly, unlike most woods, and can be used for flooring, furniture and nearly any other wood product. The products are more affordable due to a reduction in the cost of manufacturing products.
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.
Place a layer of insulation around your hot water heater. You can find a hot water heater insulation kit available from your local home improvement stores. This insulation wraps around the heater keeping heat from dissipating. This, in turn, keeps your water hotter for longer, so you do not waste energy re-heating water over and over.
One simple way to update your home with green technology is, to install solar panels. These can help decrease the amount of energy you use, and save you some money. Not to mention they are not extremely expensive, and are easy to install. There are even some government incentives for updating your home with solar panels.
A great way to help save energy when using a dishwasher is to avoid using the dry cycle. The heat generated during this cycle uses lots of energy and can be completely avoided if you just leave your dishwasher open and letting them dry naturally in the open air.
Be sure to check the insulation levels in the areas around your house. Insulation helps keep the warm air out in the summer months and the cold air out in the winter months. Places that you should check include your attic, crawl spaces, all exterior and basement walls, ceilings and floors.
This article has been provided to show you many different ways that you can use green energy in your own home, but you need to take what you've learned, and use it to reap the greatest rewards. Don't sit on your laurels, instead get up and get to work right now!
Orignal From: Living A More Natural Existence For Your Health
No comments:
Post a Comment