Green Energy And Your Family: Things You Should Consider
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Filed under Green Energy
Many people find the prospect of making their home more green to be a daunting one. You may not know exactly where to start, or what changes would be most beneficial to you while being environmentally friendly. The advice in this article will allow you to find exactly what works for your living situation.
Switch to water heating systems that use solar power to heat hot tubs, pools and indoor water. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to warm water rather than using natural gas or electricity for heat. Although these upgrades could cost a lot, they also might qualify for energy tax deductions.
It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. How much sun is your house getting on average? You are not going to get much solar power if your home has too much shade.
Clothes should always be washed in cold water, if possible. Almost 90% of the energy you use when you do laundry is due to heating water. As long as the washing detergent you use is reliable, using cold water instead of hot water will wash your clothes just as well. Don’t forget to only wash clothes when you have a full load s you are as efficient with your energy as possible!
Cover your windows when no one is at home. You will lower your energy costs since this will help keep your home nice and cool. Typically, windows that face south are positioned so that they receive the most sun. When possible, however, cover all of your windows with special shades like roller shades, roman shades or dark, thick curtains.
Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have to worry about freezing temperatures, you can get a system that will circulate the water through a solar heater before pumping it into your home. Even though solar water heaters are useful, it is still necessary to have a normal water heater for periods of extended cloudy weather or unusually high hot water use.
Make sure when you aren’t using something to turn it off. Any rooms in the home that are vacant should not have any electronics or lights left on. Put all of your entertainment electronics on a power strip you can turn off, as this will stop appliances from going into a power draining stand-by mode.
Storm Doors
Storm doors and windows help control air flow into a home. Storm doors and windows stop drafts from letting in so much cold air. Your home’s energy efficiency will increase by as much as 45% if you install storm windows and doors!
Get rid of your old tank-style water heater, and replace it with a modern tankless model. Tankless water heaters do require energy for operation, but since they heat water on demand, power is not wasted by keeping a full tank hot 24/7. There are models available that provide on-demand hot water for a whole house or just one faucet.
Each home is in a unique location and can be laid out in numerous designs. When you consider the many different characteristics present in homes, it can be difficult to determine which green energy source will work best in your particular home. There are a few types that can work in every home, while others are built for homes of a specific design or location. Choose the tips that are right for your particular situation, and implement them when you can.