The diversity of ways that green energy can be utilized at home are amazing. It offers not just simple alternatives, but cost effective alternatives as well. The following article will give you advice on how you can use green energy and take advantage of its benefits.
If you’re designing any kind of outdoor lighting, you may want to think about installing solar-powered lamps. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. You save a lot of energy in the process. It means you don’t have to wire up outdoor lights.
Solar power can heat water for a low cost. Simply put, all you need is a hot water system that uses solar energy. You have the choice for an indirect or direct circulation system. Indirect is the best choice if you have pipes which often freeze in the winter.
Save energy by buying products that conserve energy. Double or triple glazed windows and well-insulated doors prevent a lot of wasted energy while keeping the inside temperature more comfortable. This type of product is perfect for reducing AC costs.
Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer. Laptops use up to 75% less electricity than desktops, especially during non-demanding tasks like surfing the web or word processing. An added bonus is the portability of a laptop- you can take it anywhere you go!
Investigate options for heating your oven through solar energy. A solar oven is very easy to make. All you need is a window, a piece of foil and a sturdy box. Solar ovens can be heated over 300 degrees and only use the sun for energy.
Take the time to evaluate your watt usage. There are gadgets out there that will help show you what in your house is using the most energy. Look for brands like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt. All you need to do is plug the item in question into the device to find out how much energy it uses in an hour. You can get a real idea of what your appliance is costing you and the environment.
Keep a record of your energy efficiency goals. Each month, check your utility bills to check your year-over-year progress with regard to saving energy. By being aware of the energy you use, you can start to reduce that consumption. For instance, if your stated goal is to reduce your consumption of electricity and water, you are more apt to remember to turn off the lights and shut off the faucet when not using them.
United States
Use LED lights for home and tree decorations at the holidays. A study conducted by the United States The United States Department of Energy states over 2 billion hours of kilowatt power could by saved by a nationwide change. That is enough electricity to power 200 thousand homes for a whole year. An additional benefit to using LED lights is the savings you will receive on your electric bill.
Get appliances that have an Energy Star rating. This rating ensures that the appliance was built to use less energy than the other non Energy Star products. The rating promises refrigerators and freezers will use 20 percent less energy, 40 percent less for dishwashers and 50 percent less energy for washing machines.
An on-demand hot water heater is a good way to stay green. Traditional water heaters are always on and heating unused water, which is a tremendous waste of energy. On-demand models provide hot water instantly when necessary, instead of continuously throughout the day, saving you money and energy.
The number of lights that are left on, or appliances that are run half full is astounding. If everyone did this on a regular basis, an enormous amount of energy could be saved. Always take a few minutes to think before you leave your home and turn off all your appliances.
A simple way to begin incorporating energy-efficient changes to your home is to get help from your electric company. Several light and utility companies provide tips and tools on their website to let you know the amount of energy you are using and wasting. Look into programs that help you buy energy-efficient appliances.
Energy Usage
A great way to conserve energy at home is by setting your thermostat to 60 degrees if you are not at your house or if you are sleeping. Keeping your thermostat on a low temperature will allow you to lower your overall energy usage. You can minimize energy usage and save money.
Make better use of ceiling fans during cold weather. If you make them rotate clockwise, they push air down which warms up the room. This will save energy so that makes running the fans worth it.
Have your frozen foods thawing in the refrigerator if you want to save energy. This is a safe way for thawing food that reduces energy consumption of the refrigerator.
All of this article’s tips are easy and simple to do, so don’t permit excuses to distract you from using them. Take the time to use green energy so you can see the changes!