These days, more people are aware of how vital the need is to protect our environment. A great way to care for the environment while saving yourself money is to incorporate green energy technology at home. In this article, you will find many tips for using green energy in your home or business.
It is important to clean your furnace filter on a regular basis to be sure you are using as little energy as possible heating your home. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
Use cold water in your washing machine. Almost 90% of the power you use to do laundry is simply used to heat the water. As long as you have reliable clothes washing detergent, using cold water is just as effective. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to put in the washer.
Use window coverings when you’re not at home. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. Typically, windows that face south are positioned so that they receive the most sun. Dark curtains, roller or roman shades can cover windows well.
Dry clothes on a clothelines during the summer. The sun gives your clothes a great smell. They will smell better than anything coming out of a dryer. In addition, you’ll save money on your utility bills.
Save money and energy by only running your dishwasher with a full load of dishes. If you only have a couple of dishes, do not put them in the dishwasher and turn it on. A dishwasher can surprisingly hold a lot of dishes. Strategically load your dishwasher so that you fit in as many dishes as possible.
Keep your refrigerator properly maintained. Refrigerators use a large amount of energy, so they should be taken care of to work their best. Regularly make sure the heating coils are dust-free. Also ensure that the rubber seals around the doors are clean and making tight contact.
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. Homes equipped with storm windows and doors can see an increase in energy efficiency of up to 45 percent.
Take the time to learn about active, and passive solar power. Active systems store the solar energy for use later, while passive systems just use the sun’s heat as energy. Active systems are what you would normally think of when you think of solar–PV cells, mechanical parts, and storage devices. Passive power, instead, just stores the energy gotten from the sun inside your home.
Keep your heat on at a moderate level. Don’t increase it unless it is a necessity. If you are feeling cold, add a layer of clothing instead of reaching for the thermostat. You use a lot of wasted energy when you have heat levels turned up too high.
A solar oven can be made to assist you in your baking needs. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. Solar ovens can get hotter than 300 degrees, and doesn’t use any energy source besides the sun, so you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
See exactly how many watts of power you are using. Gadgets such as the Watt Minder or the Kill-A-Watt will help you find out which of your appliances are hogging energy. All you need to do is plug the item in question into the device to find out how much energy it uses in an hour. You’ll be able to calculate how much each appliance costs you in electricity and replace those which are power hogs.
If you would like to make your life greener like many people do, there are plenty of steps you can take. Perhaps you don’t have money to spend on making your home more green, but it is possible to start by maintaining smaller things, like clean filters and regulated temperatures. Reduce water heater temperatures to 121 degress or less to save money. Each little bit makes a difference!
If a priority in your life is caring for the environment, you will hopefully find some tips you have learned today and find ways to use them in your home. This action minimizes the carbon footprint and makes your home much more energy efficient. The savings will definitely make it worth while.