Wonderful Green Energy Solutions Anyone Can Use!
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Filed under Green Energy
Reducing the amount of energy your home uses from the electricity company might be a lot easier than you think. Implementing small changes and perhaps a few major changes can save you money immensely as you reduce your negative impact on the environment. Read on for excellent ideas that will get you started in the right direction.
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Do you have a large plot of land? If so, you can rent a portion of it so wind turbines can be installed. This installation will provide energy while taking little space and it will provide energy to you and perhaps your neighbors.
If possible, use cold water in your clothes washer. When you heat up water, you consume much more energy as opposed to using colder water. If you are using good quality washing detergent, cold water is effective. It is also better to clean a full load, not smaller loads.
Consult a technician for more information about switching to biodiesel heating if your home currently uses oil for heating. A lot of the existing systems can be modified with minimal parts or alterations. Biodiesel burns cleaner and more efficiently than conventional petroleum, reducing your home’s environmental impact during the winter.
Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not home. Your house will stay cool and you won’t use as much energy this way. Typically, the south facing windows are the ones that get the most amount of sun due to their location. Use coverings on each of your home’s windows, such as roman shades, dark curtains, or roller shades.
Learn about energy sources within your community. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or laws before making a decision. It can benefit you to use natural gas instead of electricity, for example.
Solar energy can provide cheap hot water. Install a water heating system that uses solar power. There are both direct and indirect circulation options to choose from. If frozen pipes are common in your area, an indirect water heater will be your best option.
When you are preparing to install a solar energy system, ensure that the power storing batteries are located nearby to the cells. Power can be lost in long cables so this will reduce this possibility. Additionally, it avoids problems with shading and capacity reduction.
Take time to make sure to properly maintain the fridge. With the fridge being a top energy consumer in the home, maintenance is important for efficiency. Make sure you clean out any dust from around heating coils. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
Upgrading your water heater to a tankless style saves a lot of energy. Instead of keeping a whole tank of water hot at all times, tankless models only heat the water you are actually going to use. Tankless water heaters are available to purchase in many different sizes; you can heat water for your whole house, or just a single faucet.
Find out about federal and local rebates for updates about renewable energy for your home. Sometimes, you will find that a local utility company can give a rebate for the total price of the upgrades. You may also qualify for tax credits or deductions from your state or from the federal government. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Use the ideas you have read in this article, and start incorporating them into your plan for your household. Energy bills will decrease and you will protect the environment, too! If you work toward meeting your green goals slowly and over a period of time, your home will eventually be at it’s greenest potential!