Green Energy Tips To Save The Planet
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Filed under Green Energy
Just thinking about major changes in the home to accommodate sources of greener energy is really overwhelming to most homeowners. It’s hard to know just where to start and which methods of green energy will work best in your home and for the environment. This article will provide you with some of the basics, so continue reading and you will have a better understanding of green energy options.
Use solar-powered lamps for outdoor lighting. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. This saves you a lot of energy. It will also mean you can avoid installing underground wiring.
Instead of using your air conditioner in the summer, try to wear fabrics that are natural. Cotton and other fabrics draw sweat from the skin and make you cool. Wear light colors because these will make you warmer and it will be less likely for you to use artificial cold air.
Government grants are available to help consumers invest in renewable energies. Ask your local authorities what kinds of programs are available in your area. For instance, you might find that installation of wind or solar structures is free, or you might see a tax benefit by installing a tankless water heater.
Whenever possible, use cold water to wash your clothing. Almost all of the energy used to wash clothes is used to heat the water. If you are using good quality washing detergent, cold water is effective. In addition, remember that a washing machine will be most energy efficient when it is full.
When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it can leave you ahead in the summer. Be sure to get a net-usage plan with the energy company so that you can get money from them when you put the surplus energy onto their grid.
Use a green and tankless model as opposed to a tank-style water heater. These still use gas and electricity to heat water, but they heat only what you use instead of continuously heating the whole tank. Tankless heaters can be acquired in models that could give the whole house or even just a single water faucet with water that is hot.
Watch watt usage carefully. Use great gadgets such as the Kill-A-Watt or the Watt Minder to find out which fixtures and appliances use up the most energy. When you plug an electrical appliance into the monitor, it displays how much energy it requires each hour, month, or year. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
A great way to save energy is to switch your boiler. Old boilers were created without considering energy consumption, and new boilers are more efficient. Not only do they create less carbon dioxide, a poisonous gas, they can also lower your energy bill.
Energy Star
Swap your old appliances for newer ones that have an Energy Star rating. This rating ensures that the appliance was built to use less energy than the other non Energy Star products. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
There are many different types of layouts for many homes. These differences will dictate which green technologies will be best suited for each home. While some might be effective choices in every home, others will not. Use the tips that work best for your home.