Making your home more environmentally friendly is a great way to help lower your bills, while benefiting the environment. The tips in this article will help you to figure out how to implement green energy solutions in your own home, while not having to spend an arm and a leg on installation.
Speak with your utility company about receiving your electric power from a renewable source. Many metropolitan areas get some of their power from hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, or wind powered plants. Often, the electric company can simply apply a certain amount of your electric bill to renewable energy without you needing to make any other changes.
One way to conserve energy is to make sure your windows aren't exposed to direct sunlight. Installing blinds and curtains will also help. When you do these things, you then make your house cooler and reduce the amount of air conditioning you use during the summer. You will save energy and money as well.
If you use fuel to heat your home, ask a professional about using biodiesel instead. Sometimes you can make the switch to some use of biodiesel fuels without having to purchase new parts or make costly modifications. Biodiesel can assist you in cutting your environmental impact when it is cold, because it burns more efficiently and cleaner than petroleum.
Make use of fans inside the home. You can easily use floor fans or have a ceiling fan installed to increase airflow inside the home. You can use these even if you already have an air conditioner because you can turn the thermostat higher and just use the fans for air movement.
If you are thinking about switching to solar power, do your research first. Some towns have restrictions regarding the number of collectors they allow. To bypass these limitations, think about getting your neighbors to join you and get a solar power unit that would provide power for a small group of homes.
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.
Opt for solar lights instead of regular lighting when installing lights for outdoor use. This helps save on your energy costs, and they are very aesthetic as well. Solar lights are becoming increasingly popular, and they are a wonderful option for lighting the patio, garden, sidewalks, garage, and many other places.
Many people who own homes with air-conditioning fail to realize how much energy is used by these units. If you have an air-conditioned home, consider a greener way of cooling off by saving the energy used to cool the air. Try to save air-conditioning for the hottest days. Keep blinds and drapes drawn during the hottest hours and open windows and doors after the sun goes down. Ceiling fans can also help a great deal!
Measure the prevailing wind speed on your property before considering a wind generator. In order for wind energy to be cost-effective, you need a wind speed greater than 8.5 to 9 MPH at least sixty percent of the time. Any slower, and the turbine won't spin fast enough to generate much electricity.
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.
Geothermal heating may be something for you to consider. If you live in the right kind of area, you are going to be able to take advantage of the heat that the earth naturally produces. These pumps will use that natural energy to heat and cool your home. Contact your local heating contractor to learn more about this process.
It is easy to find the initiative to make your house greener when you consider the many tax refunds currently offered for energy-efficient improvements. Be sure to keep all receipts pertaining to such improvements as the U.S. government presently lets home owners deduct costs for everything from new windows to storm doors to furnaces and insulation.
If you have a car with a diesel engine, think about switching to biodiesel. Biodiesel is degradable is will not have any harmful effects on the environment. However, using biodiesel can be expensive and finding filling stations is hard. If you can afford to use this alternative, do your best to reduce harmful emanations from diesel engines.
Purchase solar lights for your garden and outdoor walkways. These decorative lights are relatively inexpensive, and do not add to your electricity bill. During the day, these lights absorb power from the sun. At night, they light the area with the stored energy. These are a fantastic way to reduce your energy consumption while beautifying your yard.
Get your whole family thinking about green energy by stocking organic, recycled or eco-friendly products whenever possible. Ask your kids to identify such products on the shelves at the store and explain why those products are better for your family, your home and your environment. You can also segue such conversations into other eco-friendly practices like shutting off the water while brushing your teeth or turning off lights when not in a room.
Try not to set the heat very high in your home unless it's an absolute must. If you're cold, put on a warm sweatshirt and some cozy socks. Having the heat up high wastes a lot of energy.
Not so hard, is it? Using the knowledge you've gained from this article will ensure that you are able to, easily and quickly, change your home so that it is using green energy solutions in the most efficient way possible. You'll be helping the environment and your budget, at the same time!
Orignal From: Reasons You Should Make Your New Car Biofuel Compatible
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