Going green is beneficial for the private home, while benefiting the environment at large too. The simple changes you implement to make your home energy efficient will cut your electrical costs significantly. Use the tips from this article to help you conserve energy and be green in your home.
Consider outdoor lighting, such as garden or patio lighting, that is solar-powered. These lamps aren’t costly and do not need additional power sources other than direct sun exposure. This doesn’t merely save energy. It also ensures that there is no need to wire lights outdoor.
In order to conserve energy, try keeping the windows shaded from the sunlight. Additionally, curtains and blinds can enhance the energy-saving effect you achieve. Doing these things will let you use less air conditioning in the summer. You’ll save money as well as energy.
Check monthly to determine if your furnace’s filters need cleaning and replace them yearly. Install filters for your warm-air registers, too. This will help keep debris or dirt from clogging vents and reducing their overall efficiency.
Use drapes or curtains in your windows for when you are not home. This keeps your home cooler naturally, reducing the strain on your air conditioner and saving energy. Generally, your home’s south-facing walls and windows receive the most sun exposure. Use dark curtains, roman shades, roller shades or other coverings on all windows.
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save some money, do a load of dishwashing only when the dishwasher is filled to capacity. Avoid running the dishwasher when there isn’t a full load to run. Pack your dishwasher full, and you may be surprised at the amount it can hold. Align the dishes so several can fit inside.
When you are not using something, turn it off. Upon leaving a room, turn off such things as the lights, computer, television or entertainment center. A power strip should be used for electronics and can be easily turned off when not needed, since the standby mode is still utilizing power.
As you should now see, updating your home with green technology isn’t necessarily going to break the bank. Usually this can be accomplished with just a few simple changes that can save you money on electricity costs. Keep these tips in mind so that you can help the environment.