When you do the right thing and convert your home into an environmentally friendly environment, you help cut the cost of your energy bills. You don’t need an electric car for this. Read on for tips on how to make your house energy-efficient.
Use solar-powered lamps for outdoor lighting. They are not only affordable, but they do not have to be hooked up to any power source, needing only good access to sunlight. This saves a lot of energy! It will also save you money by not having to wire the outdoor lights to your home.
If you are trying to conserve energy in the summer, be sure to keep your shades drawn to block out the sun. Shades or curtains can also help. Since this will make your house cooler, you will use the air conditioner less. You will save both money and energy in the process.
When it’s hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw moisture naturally from the skin, making it cooler. Light colored clothing can also help you to feel cooler.
Be socially responsible, and unplug electric chargers for all devices that don’t need immediate charging. Anytime a charger is plugged in, it is using a bit of energy.
Your furnace filters should be replaced annually, and inspected for monthly cleanings. Adding filters to warm-air registers is also beneficial. Register filters will help prevent debris increasing efficiency.
Instead of using fuel oil to heat your home, try to make a switch to biodiesel. Some systems can easily be changed to biodiesel without having to make major modifications or installing extra parts. Biodiesel is a clean choice when it comes to fuel, and using it will reduce the impact that your family has on the environment.
When you have a solar energy system installed, ensure that the batteries that hold the power are situated in close proximity to the cells. Doing so removes the chance of lost energy. This also prevents long cables from casting shadows over the PV cells.
Be aware of federal and state rebates for updating your home with renewable energy. In some cases, the local utility company will offer rebates for the cost of the upgrades. If this is not possible, you can find out if upgrades can be used as tax deductions. You may also be able to get credits from the government, either state or federal. Rebates and credits will help to offset the cost of implementing green energy technology you want to add to your home.
Professionals can help to analyze your home and give you tips on making it more green. They will let you know how much you can save by upgrading to more efficient appliances and systems, and also give you a good idea of how much it will cost.
Write yourself reminders to stay on top of new energy efficiency goals, and check every utility bill against the previous year’s to see if you are making gains. By being conscious of how you use energy, you can help significantly reduce the amount of energy you consume. Taking the time to use less resources will help you get into a habit of preventing energy waste through unattended appliances.
You can use biofuel to heat your house. This type of fuel is made of oils, wood and vegetable or animal fats. You can hire a professional to adjust your propane furnace to be capable of using any type of fuel you desire. Fuels are anywhere from 20-99 percent biodiesel. Before you try to use this kind of fuel inside your house, just make sure you speak to a professional.
Changing your furnace filter, using light bulbs which are energy efficient and using an energy efficient thermostat are all easy steps you can take to reduce energy use. Once other people see how easy going green is, they will want to go green too. Keep these ideas in mind and apply them wherever you can.