Options such as sun, water or wind are great producers of energy without negative impacts to the environment. They also offer cost effective solutions for your home. People who want to have a greener home, should continue reading this article.
When it’s hot outside, wear clothing made of natural materials rather than running the air conditioner. Natural fabrics, including cotton, cause moisture to move away from the body, which means it stays cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.
Solar Panels
You will find that it’s easy to get solar panels and they’re a great way to get energy for your home. But before you do this, there are a few things you must take into account. You should definitely consider how much sun your home is exposed to. If your house is usually in the shade, solar panels will provide limited additional power.
Conserve energy by unplugging chargers when you aren’t using them. Chargers used for cell phones, laptops, mp3 players and other electronic devices use power when they’re plugged in, even if they aren’t charging your device.
Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. Almost 90% of energy used for doing laundry is due to heating the water. As long as your detergent is good, cold water washing can be just as effective as warm water. Only wash when you have a full load of clothes to put in the washer.
Turn off electrical items when you’re not using them. 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. Try using a power strip so you can turn off all of your electronics at once, instead of letting power be wasted in standby mode.
Storm Doors
Air flow is controlled best in homes with storm windows and doors. Storm doors and windows dramatically reduce the amount of drafts and cold air that get into your home. Storm doors and windows can increase a home’s energy efficiency by up to 45%, which can have great impacts on utility bills.
Have your friends and business associates contact you via email rather than snail mail. Live a paperless lifestyle whenever possible. This will help the businesses you deal with cut down on energy costs, and it will also save you a lot of money on energy costs too. It also helps save the planet, of course.
Write reminders for energy-efficient goals and check your utility bills. If you are more conscious of what your energy expenditures are, this could help to lower them. For example, making a decision to reduce electricity usage will help you develop a habit to turn off lights and appliances when not in use.
You can use biofuel to heat your house. This type of fuel is usually made with a combination of animal fat, vegetable oil and wood. If you are currently using propane to heat your home, adjustments can be made to your system that will allow you to switch to using a blend of fuels. Fuels are anywhere from 20-99 percent biodiesel. Schedule a consultation with a professional prior to making the switch to biofuels in your home.
Using green energy now means a better future for the planet and future generations. As this article demonstrates, going green is not all that complicated or expensive. Put the good advice you have read here today to work in creating a more efficient and environmentally friendly home today.
