Green energy can be pricey. Going green isn't worth the effort. You may feel like you do not have time. I am not sure where to start. Throw these excuses away! Below you'll find some excellent, cost-effective and easy ways to make your home green when it comes to energy.
If you're considering switching to green energy sources, the easiest thing you can do is call up your current electric provider and see if the offer green energy. Many electric companies offer these power sources to their customers. They may cost a bit more, however, to offset the amount of money they would've had to invest in the sources.
For green energy use in your home, you should change all your incandescent bulbs to the new energy efficient fluorescent bulbs. Not only will you save a bundle on your energy bill, but you will help conserve energy for future generations and reduce your own impact on the power grid in your city.
Contact your current energy provider and see if they offer an option for you to use renewable-energy sources. Many providers harness renewable energy through solar or wind power and therefore, have this option available for their clients. However, you should keep in mind that this may cost a little bit extra.
It is easy to live green,and still enjoy technology just by making small changes. Make your laptop more energy efficient simply by changing your wall paper. Using a dark or black wall paper, and screen saver uses less energy. This small amount of energy saved will add up over time, especially if you have more than one computer in the home.
Start small. Even if you don't have the resources for a large-scale green energy project, there are still steps you can take. For example, solar chargers for small electronics generally only require the device to be set near a window for a few hours. Don't underestimate the power of a small step.
If your property has a small stream running through it, you can install a micro hydropower system. These systems divert a small amount of the water through a turbine or wheel, providing energy that can be used to light and heat your home. If the flow is strong enough, you can power multiple homes on one of these systems.
Wash your clothes in cold water. Clothes come just as clean if you use cold water instead of hot water, and making the switch can save a lot of energy. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is the energy the water heater uses to heat the water.
You do not have to spend a lot to be a green energy consumer. You can just change your habits and be green. You can certainly save big by driving the speed limit and not over use your gas pedal. You can save as much as 20 percent on gas if you just follow those two rules.
When traveling short distances, try not to use your car. Instead, walk, run, or use a bicycle. Automobiles are not only expensive to keep up with, but they have many negative effects on the environment. If you must use your car, be sure that it is tuned up when necessary.
Leave yourself reminder notes to decrease energy usage, and frequently compare past bills with current ones to see if you're making strides. Simply being conscious of how much you spend on energy will save you a ton. 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.
Use solar water heaters as a great alternative to heating water with electricity. They use the sun's energy to heat water for use in your home or business. The ideal location for a solar water heating system is a south-facing roof that is not shaded. Current technologies allow the system to blend in with your roof so as not to detract from your home.
You can lower the temperature setting on your water heater and save money at the same time by insulating your water pipes. Just insulating the hot water pipes can reduce heat loss and raise your hot water temperature by 2-4 degrees F. You will save water as well, as it won't take as long for the water to heat up.
Think about giving green gifts for presents when you need to buy people gifts. If you are going to a house warming, give them a case of CFL bulbs for their new home or buy your friends reusable stainless steel water bottles. Even if you do not have gifts to give, think about buying them for yourself.
Installing storm windows can go a long way in helping you save on energy costs. There are both interior and exterior options to choose from. Installing storm windows is said to save you anywhere from twenty-five 2x4 led troffer lights to fifty percent of heat loss. Make sure to add weather-stripping at movable joints of the storm windows.
People looking to go green would be wise to use oil lanterns to light up their homes. Oil lanterns don't use any electricity at all, and there are even some lanterns out there that will run on used vegetable oil that you can easily get from restaurants or your own kitchen.
Clean your air filters monthly to see if they either require cleaning or if they need replaced. This can help your unit run more efficiently. You can also purchase a permanent filter that you can wash and re-use. These can save you a lot later and can prevent more waste in the landfills.
Keep passive solar energy in mind when building or remodeling a home. Passive solar homes collect sunlight http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-trump-global-warming-paris-agreement-20161110-story.html through specially-designed roofs, walls, windows, and flooring. Passive solar energy ranges from having windows angled to collect southern sun exposure to homes that are heated entirely with the use of the sun.
Green technology is a growing trend amongst a lot of people in first world countries. A lot of people are realizing at just how much we as humans are effecting the environment, yet they are also realizing at just how much we can contribute and help. There are many ways you can aid the environment from doing things like buying an electric car, changing the light bulbs in your house, or investing in solar panels for your home.
Now that you know what it takes to use green energy in your own home, forget all of the excuses you were using before. Take this article and put the information from it to use. You'll find that there are so many benefits, from saving money on bills to making money on extra energy, well within your reach!