Many people do not consider the impact they have on the environment by using everyday appliances. But, truth be told each thing you do has a consequence for the environment. There are ways you can utilize green energy in your home to make things better for the environment. Read on to learn simple ways to make your home more energy efficient.
Heating your water with the power of the sun can be very efficient. This works best in areas where the temperature doesn't drop below freezing. Solar energy systems circulate water through solar heaters and then pump it into the house. But, be sure to keep a regular water heater for a backup should the sun not come out or for times that you need large amounts of hot water.
Make full use of ceiling fans between November and March. If you make them rotate clockwise, they push air down which warms up the room. The small amount of electricity needed to run the fans is offset by the energy savings from running your furnace less often.
Use a dehumidifier to help cool your home. Air that is humid usually feels warmer. Rather than using an energy-hogging air conditioner to cool your home, try using a dehumidifier first. The drier air may feel so comfortable that you find you don't need the air conditioner as often.
Check your insulation for a very green way of keeping your home warm. Homes that are fairly older, like around 30 years old should probably use more insulation inside of it. Insulation will keep your house warm in winter months which will help decrease heating costs.
For anyone looking to be as green as possible, a straw bale house is an interesting option. Straw is a great form of insulation as well as being inexpensive to use. If you're unwilling to commit to building a straw home, make a small straw building on your property.
An often-repeated, yet useful tip for anyone who wants to start saving energy today, is to flip off the light when they leave the room. You can actually save a lot of energy if you just take the time to turn off all the lights in your house when you aren't using them. You not only save a lot of energy but you save money, as well.
Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative. You can save a ton of electricity by using a laptop. Both the Internet and most word processing software packages use a lot of energy on desktop computers, so getting a laptop can really save money if you use these features. Also, you can bring the laptop with you wherever you go.
Save energy by choosing light paint for the walls. Dark paint on your walls will cause you to use more electricity in order to brighten up your space. This would lead to your home not being as "green." By allowing your rooms to have a lighter color, they will naturally look brighter and require less lighting, and therefore, allowing you to save on energy.
Instead of using the dryer in the summertime, hang clothes outside in the warm sunshine. The sun can dry clothes quickly without using any power, with the added benefit of making your clothes smell extra-fresh. They will have a much fresher smell than drying them with an appliance will provide. As well, you save quite a bit on monthly utility costs.
Using the sun to heat your water is very cost effective. Consider a solar water heater. There are direct and indirect circulation systems available. The best option for you is the indirect one if you might have frozen pipes.
Try solar water heaters instead of traditional ones. Using a solar water heater to warm your water with the energy of the sun works to save money and energy. As is true with many solar options, you should keep your traditional water heater for times when there is not enough sun, or in case you need to use a lot of water.
Make use of ceiling fans even in the winter. If you make them rotate clockwise, they push air down which warms up the room. It is much less costly to run your ceiling fans than it is to run your furnace.
When you are preparing to install a solar energy system, ensure that the power storing batteries are located nearby to the cells. This can stop power loss in the cable. The cable will also be less likely to shade the cells, something that can lessen their capability of generating energy.
Proper weatherization is a great way to make your home much more energy efficient, even if you are on a budget. By making some simple improvements like adding a bit of foam insulation or sealing drafty windows, you can improve the comfort level of your home and decrease your energy usage. These items will also mean lower energy costs on your monthly bill.
Forget those nasty old disposable batteries for your CD player. Pick up a set of recharageables and reduce your carbon footprint! The traditional batteries are usually thrown in the trash, which could be quite harmful to the environment. Rechargeable batteries might cost more initially but, in the long run, they will save you money and they are certainly the more environmental friendly option. Rechargeable batteries can save you hundreds of dollars over their life span!
Solar batteries should be placed close to solar cells when system installation is taking place. This will prevent power from being lost in the cable. This can reduce chances of cables shading cells and reducing capabilities.
Every community offers different energy sources, so research the ones that are available to you. Check to see how much it would cost to run your home with these other utilities, and remember to take into account the government bonuses that are sometimes available. You may choose, for example, to go from electric to natural gas for heating, or using a well instead of city water.
Capture rainwater, and use it for certain water-hogging fixtures in your home, like toilets. This will reduce your water bill significantly and also protect the planet. To collect large amounts of water, install rain barrels to collect water from your gutters. If you only need small amounts of water, just set out jars or buckets to collect water during a rainstorm.
When weather is good, skip the energy-hogging dryer and dry your clothes on an outdoor clothesline. You'll love how your clothes smell after being sun-dried. It is a fresher smell than you would get from the dryer. You will also have lower utility bills.
Using green energy now means a better future for the planet and future generations. As was demonstrated in the article, green living isn't that tough or complex. So, use this article's advice and energy efficiency is just around the corner
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