Some believe that going green is extremely difficult, but it is really quite easy. No matter if the changes you make are small or big, you are positively impacting the environment. In the following article, you will read about some helpful information that will show you how to take advantage of green energy technology.
Try wearing natural fabrics in the summer as opposed to using the air conditioner. Natural materials like cotton repel moisture from your skin and allow it to stay cool. Wear lighter colors, as warmer colors make you feel warmer and more likely to put on artificial cold air.
Government grants help customers purchase these eco-friendly technologies. Contact your local government in order to see the different programs available in your area. You may qualify for wind or solar installation with little cost, or possibly you may be able to use it as deduction on your taxes.
Do you currently own a farm? If you own a farm, consider installing an energy turbine on your property, or renting land to a utility company for that purpose. This will provide you with free energy with only a small space investment.
If you use heating fuel, ask a professional if you can convert your system to bio-diesel fuel system. A lot of times this can be done with minimal modifications to your existing system. Biodiesel is cleaner and more efficient to burn than oil, and it has a better affect on the environment.
You may be able to use solar water heaters, and they can warm your water efficiently. If you’re in an area that doesn’t have to worry about freezing temperatures, you can get a system that will circulate the water through a solar heater before pumping it into your home. However, consider that you may still need a traditional heater if you will be using a great deal of hot water, or if the sun does not come out for some time.
When planning the solar system used in the home, use winter sunshine hours to determine what potential energy generation will be. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises during the winter months, while leaving you safely ahead of your needs during the summer. An even better benefit is that you can sell your energy back to the grid in the sunniest of times!
Try to communicate to people as much as possible through email rather than traditional means. To put it more simply, use paper as little as you can. This kills two birds with one stone: you save energy and encourage businesses with whom you correspond to do so, as well. In addition, going paperless helps the environment, something that everyone benefits from.
If you really want to take a bit out of your fuel consumption, try making more extensive use of carpools, even to destinations other than the office. Talk with other parents and try to arrange a carpool schedule so that you all take turns driving your kids to school. If you are near friends and family, go food shopping together and take turns driving.
Energy Star Rated
Energy Star rated appliances should be used in the home. Energy Star appliances are guaranteed to use less energy than those made previously. You will find that Energy Star rated refrigerators use about 20% less energy, and clothes washing machines use about 50% less.
Use an on-demand water heater to save energy. Traditional water heaters run constantly, wasting energy because they heat water when it isn’t needed. Water heaters that are on-demand, heat water when hot water is needed, and helps save money in energy costs.
Do not forget to turn off anything you do not use, including lights, appliances and electronics. If a person was to practice this daily, it would save them an enormous amount on their energy bills. Think about your actions and turn off things you are not using.
Solar Energy
Making use of solar energy will take your current green home plans to the next level. There is of course an initial investment that is not cheap, however, long term use and the resulting savings, will far outweigh the up-front cost. You don’t have to pay for solar energy each month; you only have to pay to install solar panels. You may also be able to sell solar power to your local electricity company.
By weatherizing your home, you can improve its energy efficiency. Weatherizing simply means to ensure that all ducts are sealed, install energy-saving windows and doors, and add extra insulation in your walls, basement, and attic. This will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool your home, thereby, saving you money on your utility bills.
Move your frozen foods from the freezer to the refrigerator when you are thawing them out. Thawing your food in the refrigerator allows the cold air to be released back into your refrigerator resulting in reduced energy needed to run the appliance.
Save some money by looking into placing your freezer or refrigerator in a part of the house that is usually cooler. If you put your appliances in direct sunlight or on top of a heating vent, the internal temperature can be raised, requiring more electricity to keep your food cool.
Making ice on your own helps save a lot of time and energy. Not only are automatic ice breakers more like to break, but they also use more energy. There are also prone to getting leaky seals, which ends up raising the temperature inside of your freezer. If you make your own ice, you won’t have to deal with these problems.
Going green does not have to be hard. As seen in this article, there are a lot of simple ways in order to live your life greener. Make sure to apply the tips you read. Just by putting in a little bit of effort, you can really make quite a difference.