You already probably know about green energy. You may do a few things, and think that is enough, or you may not have done anything related to green energy since it became such a popular idea. Whatever your experience with green energy, here are some great suggestions to make sure that you can use green energy, at least a little bit.
Try setting the air conditioning to run just one degree Celsius warmer during the summer and one degree Celsius cooler during the winter. You will not even notice this difference in temperature, and you’ll save a lot of money and energy. In addition, the amount of carbon being used will decrease by around 14%. Do you own a farm? If you do happen to own some farmland, try renting some of the land to a power company that specializes in wind energy solutions. This installation will provide energy while taking little space and it will provide energy to you and perhaps your neighbors. If switching your home to solar power is beyond your financial capabilities, try switching just one room, like a bedroom, to solar power. There are solar kits available online that can help you green a room, and this will positively affect your energy bills and carbon footprint for years to come. Make sure when you aren’t using something to turn it off.
When exiting rooms, turn off the computer, television or lights. Keep your home appliances on a power strip, and switch it off when not in use. Simply cleaning or changing the filter on your furnace can cut electricity costs significantly. Too much dirt or dust built up in the vents can make more heat necessary to warm the house. It only takes a short amount of time to clean these, and you will notice the change in your bills! A helpful tip to live greener and conserve energy is to have the windows in your home tinted. The windows in your home act like glass in a greenhouse and when you want you home to be cool, the windows will heat it up and work against your air conditioner and cost you a bundle. Turn your computer off when you are not using it. This includes anything connected to the computer, such as the printer. When these are on, even if in hibernate mode, they are drawing electricity.
When you are done browsing or working, turn off the computer and turn off the strip plug to save electrical energy. Many people who own homes with air-conditioning fail to realize how much energy is used by these units. If you have an air-conditioned home, consider a greener way of cooling off by saving the energy used to cool the air. Try to save air-conditioning for the hottest days.
Keep blinds and drapes drawn during the hottest hours and open windows and doors after the sun goes down. Ceiling fans can also help a great deal! When you are working at home on your computer, take the time to turn it off along with the printer and any other speakers or accessories attached to it. These constant drains on your cost you a bundle in the long run and make your overall impact on society less green. To help you improve the green energy efficiency of your home, consider installing solar panels in your home. Solar panels are a good source of renewable energy and can be installed at a relatively low cost. In addition, you will reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and other forms of unsustainable energy. Try switching to CFLs. The compact fluorescent bulbs tend to use about 75 percent less energy than the traditional incandescent bulbs do, plus they last around 10 times longer. They are pricier than the traditional bulbs, but it takes only a few months to make up for it in energy savings. Use rainwater to water outdoor plants and shrubs. This water can also be collected and used for kiddie pools and other outdoor water needs. Rain collection buckets are simple to install, and these reduce the amount of city or well water you use each year, saving you money and keeping your yard green. To help you increase your clean-energy consumption, try using wind energy.
Wind is a very clean type of alternative energy, and it can help you cut your electricity bill a ton. If this solution interests you, check with your local authority to ensure you have proper zoning and also ensure you have sufficient space. Try a water-saving commode in your bathroom. Estimates show that about 50% of your home’s water is used by flushing toilets. Older models typically waste 5 gallons to flush, whereas newer models that are water-saving use about 10.6 gallons. This can save 70% of your water usage each year. It may be common sense, but most people do not turn off machines, lights, and other equipment when not in use. If everyone did this on a regular basis, an enormous amount of energy could be saved. Consider the possible impacts on your own bills and be sure to shut off lights and gadgets when not in use. Now that you’ve read a little about how to use green energy, you should have a few ideas in your head to make your home more green. Use the ideas in this article to get you started, and to give you concrete actions you can take today to make sure you are living green.