Today, it is trendy to use green energy in the home. Do you know what green energy is? Basically, this means renewable, efficient energy that doesn’t harm the environment. Green energy is so accessible that any home can use it, as you will see through the following article.
Rather than using an air conditioner during the summer, wear clothes that are natural. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Wearing lighter colors will also help, because they tend to reflect light.
Solar panels are easy to install and can collect sunlight for energy. However, before doing this, you need to consider a few things. Think about how much sun your house typically gets. If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
If you use fuel oil to heat your home, ask a professional if you can use biodiesel. Many heating systems can be switched over to run on biodiesel without needing extra modifications or parts. Biodiesel burns more cleanly and will improve your carbon footprint.
Don’t leave appliances that aren’t in use, on. When you leave an area take the time to turn off lights, televisions, stereos, computers, and other electrical items you are not going to be using. Put all of your entertainment electronics on a power strip you can turn off, as this will stop appliances from going into a power draining stand-by mode.
Storm doors and windows offer better air flow in the home. These kinds of doors and windows reduces the amount of cold air that comes into the home. Sometimes electric savings can be up to 45 percent on homes that have storm windows as opposed to single pane windows.
Convert your home into a more efficient place by investing into energy saving products. Ecologically friendly windows and doors can minimize the energy you need to operate your home efficiently. If you use these products extensively, you will see quite a bit of savings on your energy bills.
Watch for state and federal tax incentives for upgrading your home to use renewable energy sources. Local utility companies often offer rebates for upgrades. In other instances, credit or tax deductions are offered by federal or state governments. These rebates and credits can substantially reduce the cost of installing green energy technology in your home.
Replace your older appliances with the newer, energy-efficient ones that have Energy Star ratings. This rating is given only to energy efficient appliances that are guaranteed to save energy over standard appliances like the ones you are replacing. Refrigerators and freezers that are Energy Star rated uses approximately twenty percent less energy. While dishwashers and washing machines can save up to fifty percent on energy bills.
Replace your toilet with a water-saving model. You can save a lot of water from being flushed away if you upgrade to an energy efficient model. Older toilets use 5 gallons per flush, whereas new models use less than 2 gallons.
An on-demand (tankless) water heater is very green. Traditional water heaters constantly keep a full tank of water hot, which sits idle until it is used. An on-demand water heater instantly heats water as it is needed resulting in tremendous savings.
An easy way to identify energy efficient appliances and products is to look for the ENERGY STAR logo. ENERGY STAR appliances have been approved by the U.S. Department of Energy as well as the Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR products are useful for tax credits.
So to sum it all up, green energy is a popular subject to investigate at the moment. Renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies are both considered to be green energy. It’s simple to get started, so use what you’ve read here and start the change!