It does not have to be expensive to go green, nor does it have to be time consuming. There are a few simple changes you can make to your home that will drastically reduce your utility bills while helping the environment. Continue reading to learn how you can use green energy and help our environment.
The are several simple techniques to conserve energy. When you aren’t using an appliance, unplug it. When you aren’t using your television, computer equipment or lights, don’t forget to turn them off. This simple tip will save you money as well.
Do you have a farm? If so, or if you have family who does, consider renting out some of your land to a company that will install a simple wind turbine. You and the neighbors can benefit from this free installation and energy which won’t take up much space.
If you heat your home with fuel oil, inquire about switching over to biodiesel. Many systems allow a switch to biodiesel or biofuel with slight modifications. Biodiesel burns more cleanly and will improve your carbon footprint.
Cover your windows when no one is at home. They will help to keep the temperature and the energy consumption of the house down when the house is vacant. Usually the windows that face south tend to get more sun exposure. Install window coverings like heavy curtains, drapes, roman or roller shades, or blinds on all windows.
When you are not using something, turn it off. When you leave the room you should think about what is not in use, like the lights, a television or your home theater. If you run your electronics through a power strip, you can turn everything off in that room with one switch.
If you’re installing a solar energy system, be sure to place the batteries in close proximity to the cells. This prevents energy from dissipating in a long cable. Additionally, the cable cannot shade the cells, which can cause reduction in generation.
If you’d like to be more environmentally friendly and cut down on your energy costs, try wearing warmer clothing. A light sweater offers 2 degrees of more warmth, and a heavy sweater adds 4 degrees. You don’t need to dress lightly inside, so wear a sweater!
Active Solar Power
Spend time in order to learn the difference between passive and active solar power. Active power is the power stored for later use and passive doesn’t require pricey cells for storing power. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. While passive simply uses the sun in storing thermal energy in your walls in order to heat your house.
There are many renewable energy rebates offered by the government, so be aware of them. Local utility companies may even offer rebates or other assistance with upgrades. You may also get state and federal tax deductions for making your home more energy efficient. Receiving these kinds of credits and rebates can make installing the updates much less expensive for you.
If you don’t know what changes to make, consider having a heating expert or plumber come to your home and give you a list of changes you can make to cut your energy costs. They can tell you if your appliances are running efficiently, and if there are changes you can make. They may also be able to offer estimates as to what it would cost to replace or upgrade your existing systems.
Turn the heat down in your house. In colder weather, you can make use of warm pajamas, sweat suits and slippers! High levels of heat use too much energy.
You can use biofuel to heat your own home. These fuels are made up of animal or vegetable fats, oils and wood. Typically, if your furnace uses propane, professionals can easily provide changes so you use these fuels. You would want to use roughly 20-99 percent bio-fuel, depending on your house size and what a professional thinks is right. Be sure you discuss any new fuel use in your home with a pro before starting.
Even people who don’t believe in global warming can see real benefits from green energy. By making a couple small changes like turning off lights when not needed, can really help save you lots of money on your electric bill.