We need to understand that taking extra care of the planet is important, this is why we should continuously strive towards green energy. From harnessing the power of wind and solar to biofuels, there are numerous ways to obtain environmentally-friendly electricity. So, what can you do to make your own life more green? Continue reading this article.
Check monthly to determine if your furnace’s filters need cleaning and replace them yearly. Warm-air registers should also have filters installed on them. This reduces debris and small toys from falling into the ducts, which will make them less efficient.
Know the available energy options in your community. Look into the cost of operating your home with each of your options, keeping in mind any recent changes to legislation about energy costs. Switching from electricity to gas, or from your city water supply to a well, may save you money.
Turn things off when not in use. When exiting rooms, turn off the computer, television or lights. Connect your home electronics to a power strip and unplug it when they are not in use. Phantom power draws from electronics in standby mode is a big problem.
Maintaining your refrigerator is an easy way to save energy. You have to ensure it is in great working condition, as it sucks up energy like a sponge. Every week, check and see if dust has accumulated near the heating coils. If it has, take the time to remove it. It’s important to check that the seal is tight and clean around the refrigerator door.
Storm doors and windows help control air flow into a home. This will reduce drafts, make your home more comfortable, and reduce your energy usage. Storm windows and doors boosts energy efficiency as much as 45%, which can cut electricity costs.
One very easy way to save money on your heating bills is to dress more warmly around the house during the winter months. A sweater that is heavy adds 4 more degrees of warmth, and a lighter sweater adds 2 degrees. It’s not necessary to wear so little at home, so out on a sweatshirt and save some cash!
Replacing an old boiler can save energy. Older boilers are not as energy efficient as new ones because people didn’t worry about the environment when they were made. Newer boilers don’t produce as much carbon dioxide and use less energy, which saves on your energy costs and promotes better health.
A good energy saving tip at home when cooking is to always use a microwave when possible. When cooking on, or within, the stove, a lot of energy is used. So, whenever you can “nuke” something in the microwave, take advantage of it and tremendously cut down the energy output.
Replace your toilet with a water-saving model. It’s estimated that as much as fifty percent of your water usage comes from the toilet. Older toilets use about 5 gallons per flush, while the newer, water-saving toilets need only 1.6 gallons of water for each flush, cutting your annual water usage by up to 70%.
On-demand water heaters work great as a green device. Traditional water heaters constantly keep a full tank of water hot, which sits idle until it is used. You’ll get hot water whenever you need it without having to wait for it to heat up. You’ll also save a lot of energy.
Replace your windows with more energy-efficient ones. These types of windows will lower your energy bills as well as protect your home from outside noise and carbon dioxide.
One way to reduce energy consumption is to lower your thermostat in the winter. Consider setting your thermostat to 60 degrees during the night or while you are away. At this temperature your home uses very little energy. The rewards include more money in your pocket and a more environmentally sound approach to energy management.
Use your ceiling fan in the winter. Change to the winter clockwise rotation to return the warm air down towards the room and put less stress on your heater. Yes, the fans use electricity too, but it’s much less than that used by your furnace.
You can shave a significant amount from your utility bills by installing a programmable thermostat. These thermostats are programmed to regulate temperature inside your house both during the winter and summer months. They can also be used to schedule your daily heating.
We need to be using more green forms of energy, now more than before. It may be true that all power sources impact the environment somehow, but it’s possible to minimize that impact with green energy. Having read this article, you’ll have some ideas for making your life greener.