Reducing the amount of energy your home uses from the electricity company might be a lot easier than you think. With a few simple changes and perhaps some bigger ones, you can lower your carbon footprint while cutting down on energy costs. This article provides several great ideas that you can use to get started.
When you can, wash your clothes using cold water. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Modern laundry detergent does just as well with cold water as hot water. Be sure to always do a full load of clothes when you wash.
Install solar panels to face the sun. For instance, the optimum angle for the Northern Hemisphere results in panels facing south at 15 degrees greater than the latitude at which they are installed. This results in the most efficient power production possible.
A common habit that uses energy is not turning off lights, appliances, and other things when they aren't in use. If you do this every day, your energy bills will plummet. By thinking about the costs involved and how much extra energy you use, should get you to shut off those appliances and lights when not in use.
Even though appliances that are energy efficient cost more than those that are not, they are worth it because they will save you money over the long term. Though the newer technologies are often much more expensive than standard items, the up-front investment will often save tons later in the form of lower energy bills. It also results in long-lasting environmental benefits.
Storm doors and storm windows help to better control air flow in the home. Storm doors and windows will reduce the entrance of drafts and cold air. You can increase the energy efficiency in your house by up to 45 percent with stormed windows and doors.
When Christmas or other holidays roll around, try LED decorative lights instead of traditional lights to spruce up your home. A U.S. Department of Energy study shows that people waste a lot of energy on traditional Christmas lights. We could save at least a couple billion kilowatt hours if each person would make this change. That is enough electricity to power 200 thousand homes for a whole year. Even if you don't care about those big numbers, you should care that you can personally save money by going green.
As seasons change, adjust your thermostat accordingly. During winter, lower it a bit and raise it up a bit in the summer. If you do this in conjunction with adding or removing clothing when necessary, you can stay comfortable while using less energy.
Do you own a farm? If you do, or if you are aware of someone that does, you may be able to rent some of the property to a local energy company that will install a type of wind turbine. Everyone surrounding the area where these turbines are installed are sure to benefit, and the installation doesn't take up that much space.
If you're a business owner, you're well aware of electricity costs. Switch your business to green energy, and then tout it in your marketing. Many people enjoy charities and programs that invest in sustainable, green technology. With time, you will bring in extra business because people will like to support you and your solar panels.
Do you have a lot of land? If you own a farm, consider installing an energy turbine on your property, or renting land to a utility company for that purpose. Your home and the surrounding residences will get some free power. Don't worry, wind turbines don't take up a lot of room.
Weatherizing your home is a great way to make it more energy efficient. By sealing ducts, adding insulation, and putting in more energy efficient windows, heaters, and cooling systems, you are reducing the amount of energy needed to run your home. Also, with these changes, your monthly energy bill will be significantly reduced!
The addition of solar panels on your home will make your home greener. This costs quite a bit of money at the outset, but the savings from using solar energy will make them pay for themselves after several years. Solar energy becomes free when the panels are installed and you may be able to sell power to some local electric companies.
A really simple way to begin making your house energy-efficient is to get your electric company to help you. 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. Be sure that you take advantage of programs that provide incentives for the purchase of green items like light bulbs or appliances.
Monitor how many watts you use. If you do not know the formula to figure out the energy each appliance uses, there are tools like a Kill-A-Watt that can give you the information instantly. Plug your appliance or gadget into the watt-checking device, and it will tell you how much the unit consumes in energy in one hour, month or year. This can let you see how much your devices really cost you.
Try using a dehumidifier. In the summer, humid air feels warmer on your skin than drier air. Running air conditioners are expensive and they use a lot of energy, so try to use a dehumidifier for awhile instead. You might be able to go without air conditioning for quite some time if you do this right.
When it's hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Cotton and other fabrics draw sweat from the skin and make you cool. Wear lighter colored clothes, as darker colors tend to make you feel hotter, which results in your putting on the AC.
To save energy costs, use a dehumidifier. Air that is humid feels warmer. Instead of using air conditioning, which can be expensive, let the dehumidifier run for a bit first. You may be able to avoid the air conditioner for a while longer than you may have thought.
Make sure you adjust thermostat settings according to the different seasons and their temperatures. During winter months, lower the thermostat and during the summer, raise it. Adjusting your settings, while also adjusting the amount of clothing you wear, can help you stay comfortable while using less energy to heat and cool your home.
Put your refrigerator in a cool place within your home. Do not install your fridge in the sun light or next to a heating vent or more energy will be used to keep your food cold.
While a lot of people think about implementing green energy choices, most do not take it further than the fleeting thought process. Use some of the ideas from the article above, and kick your green-energy efforts into high-gear
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