Minimize Your Carbon Footprint With These Green Energy Ideas!
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Filed under Green Energy
Many people want to do their part to save the environment, but have no clue what actions they need to take to do so. Fortunately, there are many ways to live a sustainable lifestyle by using green energy sources in your home. The following article offers you great information on how you can incorporate green energy into your life now.
Use solar-powered lamps for outdoor lighting. These inexpensive lamps require no external power source and can run entirely on solar power. This not only saves energy. It will also save you money by not having to wire the outdoor lights to your home.
If you want to preserve energy, keep your windows so they are shaded from sunlight. Another option is installing darkening shades. By doing these things, you’ll lower the amount you need to run your air conditioner in the summer, as your home will already be cooler. You will save energy and money.
Solar Panels
Install solar panels and reap the benefits easily. But, you must think about some things prior to doing this. The major thing you have to consider before going ahead with solar panels is the amount of sunlight your home gets over the course of a day. You are not going to get much solar power if your home has too much shade.
Maintain your furnace to save energy. Replace filters annually and clean them once a month. Filters can also be installed in every warm-air register. This will help keep debris from clogging up heating ducts and becoming inoperable.
When away from home, cover the windows. They will help to keep the temperature and the energy consumption of the house down when the house is vacant. Usually the windows that face south tend to get more sun exposure. Make sure that all the windows are covered with dark curtains, blinds, roman shades, or whatever shade you choose.
Don’t leave appliances that aren’t in use, on. When you exit a room, be sure to turn off any unused electronics or lights. A power strip should be used for electronics and can be easily turned off when not needed, since the standby mode is still utilizing power.
If you clean your dishes using a dishwasher, don’t run it until it’s completely full. Dishwashers do not allow for minimizing water or power consumption. It is the same, full or not. Try using the energy-saving air-drying setting on your dishwasher.
Solar Energy
A solar energy array can be the cheapest way to getting your hot water. Simply put, all you need is a hot water system that uses solar energy. There are systems available that circulate the heat both directly and indirectly. If you have concerns about your pipes freezing when it is cold, you should pick an indirect one.
As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. When you do this, you understand how much you should be consuming on a daily basis during winter, and you won’t become surprised one day. If your plan is contingent on net usage, you will even get money back from your utility company because of the excess energy you are creating!
Green energies are bound to become more popular in the next few years, mainly because of the high price of oil. If you posses the right information, it becomes a lot easier to include green energy in your life. Use the advice you just read to raise your awareness of green energy right now.