Green Energy Advice You Should Know About
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Filed under Green Energy
Going green is beneficial for the private home, while benefiting the environment at large too. Simple home modifications can help you save money on electricity and become more energy efficient. Continue on for some helpful green energy tips at home.
Cutting back on your daily electricity usage can save lots of energy over time. Unplug your electrical appliances from outlets when not in use. Always turn off the television and lights when you are not using them. This simple suggestion helps cut your electricity bills.
Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. These lamps aren’t costly and do not need additional power sources other than direct sun exposure. This will save significant energy. It will also mean you can avoid installing underground wiring.
Lower the cost of heating your indoor water, pools and hot tubs by switching to solar water heating systems. Using electricity or gas to heat water is not terribly efficient, but water heaters that use solar power maintain water temperatures using only the sun’s rays by way of solar panels. Although these upgrades could cost a lot, they also might qualify for energy tax deductions.
Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. Wear lighter colors since warmer ones can make you warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. Hot water takes up 90% of energy used to wash clothing. If your detergent is of good quality, you should have no problems using cold water. Also, be as energy efficient as possible by only washing full loads of clothing.
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Compare the costs of various utilities, and take current or pending energy legislation into consideration. You might find savings by switching from electric to natural gas for heating, or to well water from city water.
If you are aiming to save energy and money, try running the dishwasher only when the load is completely full. Properly loading the dishwasher prior to running it will save both energy and money. The amount of dishes that can be placed in a washer is astounding. Make sure you take time to place the dishes in properly so as to maximize the space available.
Always be consistent in maintaining your fridge. Since refrigerators are one of the high-consumption appliances, it’s crucial that you keep it running efficiently. Clean the dust off of the heating coils on a regular basis. Inspect the door’s seal for tightness and cleanliness.
Replace your tank-style water heater with a green, tankless model. These still use gas and electricity to heat water, but they heat only what you use instead of continuously heating the whole tank. You can purchase tankless heaters that supply the whole house, or ones that supply just one faucet.
As you can see, it really can be quite simple and inexpensive to go green. Often, a few small changes can make big differences to your electricity costs. Implement a few of these tips and pass the information on as well. You will be helping your family, your neighbors and the environment as a whole.