Read This Article To Learn All About Green Energy

Cutting back on how many resources run your home can be easy. A couple of small changes (or big ones) and both your environmental footprint and your energy budget will decrease. For some simple ideas, continue reading.

Solar Panels

Getting solar panels put in at home is simple and easy to attain energy from this source. Consider some things before you do this, as you will benefit from the thought process. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? If you live in an area with a lot of shade, or worse, a lot of cloudy days, you’ll be unable to make full use of solar panels.

Use windows covering for when you’re not home. Heavy drapes help keep you home cool, resulting in energy savings. Try to close all your window coverings, but it is especially important to cover any south-facing windows. Therefore, it is especially important to use heavy window coverings on these windows.

Maybe you can use solar water heaters instead of traditional heating methods. If freezing temperatures are never a concern in your area, consider a system that circulates water through solar heaters before sending it into your house. Though you can use this system, it’s best to have a regular water heater for backup purposes, just in case there is a day with little sunlight or more water usage than normal.

Dry clothes outdoors instead of in the dryer during the summer. This can cause your clothes to smell really good. They will smell a lot fresher than being dried in the drier. You will also save on your utilities bills by line drying your laundry.

When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises during the winter months, while leaving you safely ahead of your needs during the summer. You can actually get money back from your utility company for any energy your generate if you’re on the net usage plan.

Don’t turn the thermostat up higher than needed in your home. If you feel a small chill, instead of turning up the heat, put on a sweatshirt or sweatpants. You waste a lot of energy if you put the heat on higher than necessary.

There is a lot you can do if you want to save energy. For example, cleaning your furnace filters every month and turning down the heat when you aren’t at home will greatly increase the efficiency of your furnace. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. Every small amount helps.

Energy Star

Swap your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing. You will find that Energy Star rated refrigerators use about 20% less energy, and clothes washing machines use about 50% less.

Do not forget the most basic ways to save energy, such as turning off the lights you don’t need. If you establish a habit of extinguishing your lights, you will be amazed at the amount of energy you can save in the long run. Another benefit of turning lights off is that you can save money.

Think about the ideas provided in this article, and try to come up with a way to implement them in your home. You can reduce your bills and do something positive for the environment. Before long, you will have one of the greenest homes around!