When you go green you don’t have to hurt your wallet, and it doesn’t take a lot of time either. In a few simple steps, you can reduce your energy use and help improve the environment. This article teaches you how to improve your home by making it more green.
Lower heating costs with solar heating systems for your pools or hot tubs. Using gas or electricity to heat water isn’t efficient. However, solar water heaters use the sun to make water comfortable and reduce energy consumption. You may be eligible for tax deductions for using energy efficient upgrades.
There are numerous grants available for home owners to increase the use of renewable energy. Ask your local authorities what kinds of programs are available in your area. Who knows, you may qualify for low or no-cost wind or solar installation. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, you can still use these items as a tax deduction.
Make use of your dishwasher only when you have a full load in order to save energy and money. Running it with half loads is wasteful. The amount of dishes that can be placed in a washer is astounding. Take care to line up your dishes, so you are able to put in as many as you can.
Solar hot water heaters are an excellent way to have lower costs on your hot water energy use. You can go shopping for a solar system that will heat your water. It is possible to chose between direct and indirect circulation systems. The indirect system is a a great thing to have and you do not have to think about having frozen pipes during the winter.
Storm Doors
Storm doors and windows offer better air flow in the home. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. You can increase the energy efficiency in your house by up to 45 percent with stormed windows and doors.
Do some research and learn about passive and active solar powers. Passive solar power doesn’t need expensive cells in order to store power, although active is stored for later use. Installing an active solar system requires more money and work, with panels and an entire system. Passive power, on the other hand, stores the power in your walls and allows it to radiate outward, heating your home.
Convert your home into a more efficient place by investing into energy saving products. Ecologically friendly windows and doors can minimize the energy you need to operate your home efficiently. If you use these products extensively, you will see quite a bit of savings on your energy bills.
One easy way to go green is to use an on-demand water heater. Older water heaters are always running and always heating water whether it is needed or not, which is a waste of energy. On-demand models provide hot water instantly when necessary, instead of continuously throughout the day, saving you money and energy.
It might seem like common sense, but a lot of people don’t turn off their lights, machines and other electronics when they are not being used. If everyone did this, a lot of energy and money could be saved. Raise your consciousness about your electricity use in order to save electricity and money. Don’t leave appliances or lights on that nobody is using.
Green Technology
The initial cost of green technology is overshadowed by the long term savings. Even though green technology may be costlier, it pays off in the long run when you see cheaper utility bills. It is also one more positive impact on the environment that compounds.
If it’s feasible, replace old, leaky windows with energy-efficient models. There are many benefits to using these windows–you will see smaller energy bills, your home will be more quiet, you will not have as much carbon dioxide, and you will see less condensation on your windows.
Energy Star
Keep an eye out for Energy Star labels when shopping for energy-efficient appliances. If the appliance has an ENERGY STAR, it means it meets guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. You may have to purchase these appliances to get tax rebates.
Do not neglect your ceiling fans during the winter. A ceiling fan spinning clockwise will push warmer air downward from the ceiling, reducing the amount of heat your home needs to produce. Running the heater less frequently will more than compensate for any electricity used by the fan.
Save money on heating and cooling costs with a digital programmable thermostat. You can program these thermostats differently depending on the season of the year. You can also set certain temperatures for the day and night hours.
Reduce microwave energy use by thawing your frozen food items in your refrigerator. This not only thaws the food out in a safer manner, but also, the cold air that is released will make the refrigerator cooler, which means you spend less energy cooling it.
Even though some people don’t believe global energy is anything to worry about, everyone can benefit from the use of green energy in their home. You can save on utility bills by doing simple things like turning the lights off when you aren’t using them.