What Are Green Energy Sources And Why Should I Use Them?
by
Filed under Green Energy
A lot of people are very interested in living a more green life, but are unaware of how to begin. Fortunately, there are many ways to live a sustainable lifestyle by using green energy sources in your home. By reading this article you will get great hints for using green energy.
When drawing up the landscaping plans for a garden path or patio, incorporate solar-powered lamps. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight. This saves you a lot of energy. It means you don’t have to wire up outdoor lights.
Switch to a solar water heater to heat your pools, showers, hot tubs and kitchen faucets to save money. Using natural gas and electricity is certainly the norm, but it’s not very energy efficient. By contrast, solar energy is very efficient, and it keeps water temperatures steady just as well as traditional heating methods. By doing certain upgrades to your home, you can often earn extra incentives and even cut backs on your energy bill.
There are grants that can help you invest in green energy. Do some research with your local authorities and ascertain if they run any types of programs within your district. You could possibly qualify for wind or solar installation at little or no cost, or you can deduct these kind of expenses from taxes.
Biodiesel is a great alternative to the standard oil used to heat a home. Some systems can easily be changed to biodiesel without having to make major modifications or installing extra parts. When you use biodiesel it burns a lot cleaner than conventional petroleum, which reduces the impact your home has on energy during the colder months of the year.
If you aren’t using something, turn it off. When you leave a room, shut off the lights, TV, computer, game systems, etc. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Dressing warmly can help you reduce energy and go green. A thin sweater will provide you with two degrees of additional heat, while a heavier item will add four. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so dress warmly and save money!
Watch how many watts you use. Use gadgets like the Watt Minder and the Kill-A-Watt so that you can discover what uses the most energy. Plug your appliances in to these devices to find out what amount of energy is required each year, month or hour to run it. This lets you know how much it costs to operate an appliance.
Use biofuels to heat up your home. Oil, wood and animal or vegetable fats are used to make this fuel. You can hire a professional to adjust your propane furnace to be capable of using any type of fuel you desire. This could be anywhere up to 99% of biodiesel. Always consult with professionals prior to using this type of fuel in the home.
Replace 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. This rating guarantees 20% less energy for freezers and refrigerators, 40% difference for dishwashers, and 50% for washing machines!
Green Energy
As this article previously stated, green energy is a topic on the forefront of the political agenda and is increasingly important as cheap oil becomes a thing of the past. It’s easier to figure out how to use green energy on a daily basis if you are educated about it. Put the advice of this article to work in your home, and enjoy the benefits of going green today!