Maintaining green energy in the home is one of the best ways to ensure that the environment is being protected, while cutting energy costs. Purchasing an electric car is not necessary for this to occur. Continue on for some simple tips that will show you how to turn your home into one that is energy efficient on any type of budget.
Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Wear lighter colors since warmer ones can make you warm and cause you to rely on the A/C.
When battery chargers and other electronics are not in use, unplug them. Charging devices for several common types of electronics, including laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players all draw “phantom power” if you keep them plugged in while they are idle.
If you aren’t home, use a window covering. Your house will stay cool and you won’t use as much energy this way. Usually, windows that face south receive the most sunlight. Think about covering all of your windows with different types of shades and curtains.
When planning a home solar system, calculate the potential energy generation of the system using hours of sunshine in the winter. This prevents unpleasant surprises in the winter, and it saves money during the summer. And even more exciting, on some plans, you can receive money from utility companies if you use less energy than you generate.
Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient. Certain green items, such as eco-friendly windows and doors and double glazed windows, cut down on energy you need to keep your home going efficiently. By installing these products, your home is sealed tighter, and you use less energy to heat and cool your home.
Pay attention to federal and local rebates associated with renewable energy for your house. Ask your utility company if they offer rebates for green energy upgrades. Additionally, it may be possible to take advantage of tax rebates offered by state and federal governments. All of these rebates will add up, potentially covering the cost of your renovation!
Hire experts to check your plumbing and heating systems before investing a lot of money in installing new, greener systems. They should be able to inform you about extra expenses you are paying for inefficient appliances, as well as the amount it would cost to upgrade to newer, energy-efficient models.
Get as many pieces of mail electronically as possible. In short, try to be paperless all the time. This helps businesses to save energy as well as consumers. Finally, it will also save trees and reduce pollution a great deal in very little time.
Write a reminder to remain on top of goals for energy efficiency, and check each bill against last year to see if improvements were made. When you’re more conscious of the energy you consume you can help to reduce costs in all areas of your life. Cut down electricity and water consumption so you are likely to turn off appliances.
Try and invest in LED lights when you decide to decorate your home for any holiday season. A study was conducted by the U.S. The Department of Energy show that 2,000,000,000 kilowatt hours of electricity could be saved if all Americans switched to LED lights. That amount of power is enough to supply 200,000 homes with electricity for a whole year. At a minimum, you will lower your energy bill.
Consider replacing your wooden products with bamboo when buying new. Bamboo serves as a green replacement for wood. Though it is a grass, it has much more strength and durability than many commercial woods. This fast-growing product is used in a wide variety of wood items. Everything from floors to cutting boards can be made with bamboo. Using bamboo can help conserve energy when making new products as well as saving on the costs of recycling old products.
Consider switching out your home’s older windows with newer ones that are rated for superior energy efficiency. These windows reduce energy costs, makes your home quieter, releases less carbon dioxide, and your windows will acquire less condensation.
Energy Star
All energy efficient products will include the Energy Star designation and logo. ENERGY STAR appliances are designed to follow guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and also the EPA. In many cases, you won’t be able to get a tax rebate from any appliance that doesn’t feature these logos.
Weatherizing your home can help make it more energy efficient. Sealing ducts, using energy-efficient windows, and adding insulation can reduce energy consumption. Not only that, you will also have a much lower energy bill!
Use energy efficient lightbulbs, change your furnace filer, and get a programmable thermostat to easily conserve energy inside your house. Lead by example and show the easiness of embracing green technology and lifestyle. Remember to start implementing these tips today.