It is actually pretty easy to reduce the amount of energy and resources your home needs. A couple of small changes (or big ones) and both your environmental footprint and your energy budget will decrease. Read on for excellent ideas that will get you started in the right direction.

You can cut your energy consumption by a lot if you just cut back on the electricity you use. If you have appliances that are not in use, keep them unplugged until you need them. Television sets and lights should never be left on when not in use. This helps to save money without much effort.

Shading windows from sunlight whelps to save energy. Curtains or blinds can also be used to do this. By using heavy window covering you house will remain cooler which will decrease the amount of air conditioning needed. You will save both energy and money.

Solar panels are easy to install. However, before doing this, you need to consider a few things. The number one to think about is the amount of sun your home gets. You are not going to get much solar power if your home has too much shade.

Dry clothes on a clothelines during the summer. The sun will make your clothing smell great. It is a fresher smell than you would get from the dryer. You will also be saving money on your utility bills.

If you’d like to be more environmentally friendly and cut down on your energy costs, try wearing warmer clothing. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. It’s not necessary to wear so little at home, so out on a sweatshirt and save some cash!

Solar Power

Learn about the differences between passive and active solar power. Active systems store the solar energy for use later, while passive systems just use the sun’s heat as energy. Active systems are what you would normally think of when you think of solar–PV cells, mechanical parts, and storage devices. Passive solar power, on the other hand, just draws heat from the sun and stores it in your walls for heating purposes.

The next time you decorate your home or tree for the holiday season, use LED lights instead of standard light strands. A U.S. Department of Energy study shows that people waste a lot of energy on traditional Christmas lights. Department of Energy, LED lights over the holidays could save as much as two billion kilowatts of energy consumption annually. That is enough power to run more than 200,000 homes for one whole year. At least, you can save money on your electricity!

Carpooling for work and school activities can cut down on fuel usage. If you live in a neighborhood with lots of children, try setting up a ride-sharing service, where you trade rides with other parents in the neighborhood. You can also schedule grocery shopping and other errands with friends that live near you.

Microwave Whenever

To save energy during cooking, use your microwave whenever it’s feasible. When cooking on, or within, the stove, a lot of energy is used. Take advantage of the microwave whenever you can to cut down on your overall energy consumption.

Consider bamboo as an option over wood products. Bamboo is a green alternative to wood products and very strong. It grows quickly and can be used and sold for a variety of purposes, from cutting boards to flooring. This saves energy on the recycling and production end of manufacturing products.

Green electronics may seem expensive in the beginning; however, the amount of energy saved will pay off over the life of the equipment. While greener technology is often more expensive initially, the long-term savings will more than offset this. A bonus is that you will be helping to protect the environment.

If you can, check into windows for your home that are energy-efficient. There are so many benefits in having new windows, including the money you will save on energy, the reduction of drafts and the fact that your home will no longer be damaged from condensation.

Use automatic motion detection sensors for lighting in your rooms. These lights only go off when someone is the room, so you will save money and energy when no one is in the room. Don’t forget to install the outdoor sensor lights in your garage, too!

Lower your thermostat several degrees to save energy when you are away, or when you are going to be asleep. 60 degrees is the target temperature at which your heater will be consuming the least energy. This way, you are saving money and conserving energy.

The aforementioned tips and techniques can help you incorporate green energy into your life. You will see your energy use diminish and you will be helping the planet. Even small changes can set you on a path toward a greener lifestyle.