If you have considered green energy for a while, but are not sure where to begin, read on. Perhaps you thought it was too difficult or expensive? Don't worry about what's happened before today, just read this article and concentrate on what's ahead for you, your home, and the environment.
Use curtains to assist you in keeping green. If it is summer and you want the room to stay cool, draw the curtains during the day so that the sun doesn't shine in. If it's winter, and you want the room to stay warm, open the curtains and let the sun into your room.
If you are charging products within your home, use smart green ideas to conserve energy by unplugging these devices when you are done. Even when they are fully charged, these units still consume energy and cost you money. So unplug them when they are finished, and save some energy and money.
Solar panels are easy to install. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. The biggest thing to consider is how much sun does your house get on average? If your home is shaded, or you live in a relatively cloudy area, your power savings will not be as much.
Insulate your home. A pre-1950 home that isn't insulated will use approximately 60 percent more energy than a house that was built after 2000. Adding sufficient insulation to your attic and basement will greatly improve your home's energy efficiency. As well as keeping you warm in the winter, you will find that the home remains much cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for an air conditioner.
Are you still using oil heat? You could switch to a greener solution without replacing your furnace. Find a qualified technician to inspect your system and make sure you can switch to a biofuel. Biofuels are non-toxic, degradable and renewable sources of energy that you will be able to re-use.
Find out more about the different energy solutions in your community. Consider the expense of energy use in your home utilizing these energy sources while noting recent legislation about energy costs. It may be beneficial to switch from electric heat to natural gas heat, or from city water to well water, for example.
A wind turbine could help you cut down your electric bill by as much as 90%. Before you invest in this type of equipment, find out if the wind is strong enough to produce the amount of energy you need and get a professional to help you choose the right size of turbine.
Before you start shopping for a wind power system, know how much power your home consumes. In order to get the most out of a residential wind power system, it needs to be the proper size. If your property is hooked into a utility grid, your wind system should be sized to provide about 50 - 80% of your power needs.
Think about installing natural gas in your home as opposed to other sources of power. Methane is the same fuel produced by cows and in landfills and is one of the cleanest burning gasses available on the market. It is a very green choice when deciding on your energy needs.
Think about getting a hybrid car. Electric cars have many flaws, including the low number of charging stations. With a hybrid car, you can use either gas or electric power, depending on what is available. Invest in a hybrid vehicle if you live close to a charging station or can get your own.
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 should be able to inform you about extra expenses you are paying for inefficient appliances, as well as the amount it would cost to upgrade to newer, energy-efficient models.
Green energy might be available to you right now, so make a phone call and see if you can find it. Most electric companies are now offering green energy sources that can meet consumer's needs. You will likely have the option of switching partially to green energy, or entirely to green energy. You might pay a little more for these options, but you will be doing something great for the environment.
Avoid using your clothes dryer whenever possible. Drying your clothes outside on a washing line is one of the simplest ways to save energy costs. The clothes dryer is the third-largest energy user in the home, accounting for almost 6 percent of yearly energy consumption, and costing more than $100 to operate.
Keep your home clean at all times. By constantly cleaning your home, you aren't allowing dirt to accumulate, which if left alone, you would need to use products with harsh chemicals to clean up. The less often you have to use these environmentally damaging products, the better off everyone will be.
Keep passive solar energy in mind when building or remodeling a home. Passive solar homes collect sunlight 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 https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm/images/BYGTW/index.cfm?fuseaction=labeled_buildings.showProfile&ZIP=&PROFILES=0&s_code=MT&STARTNUM=1&PAGE=1&building_type_id=47&view=all&OWNER_ID=&STR=&MINI=&YEAR=&CITY=&filter_b_id=b_1251422&profile_id=1003168 with the use of the sun.
Harnessing the amazing power of the wind can reduce the cost of supplying energy to your home by as much as 90% make certain your town or city does not have been zoning restrictions against wind turbines, and check with a professional first to make sure there is enough room on your property to accommodate the size of the necessary equipment.
Don't overuse air conditioning. The energy used for air conditioning not only comes from non-renewable sources, but it will cost you, an arm and a leg. Turn up your thermostat during the day and open windows at night to allow cooler air to come in. Only use the air conditioning when necessary.
Do not neglect your ceiling fans during the winter. With a clockwise rotation, they can be used to circulate the air and help the warm air come down. This will help the room feel warmer and the heater will not be used as much. Running your fans is less costly than leaving your furnace on all the time.
By changing your life at home, you'll find that it has a greater impact on the world. If every person made the changes listed in this article, imagine how great the world could be! It's important that you take your first steps towards being more green, so that everyone can benefit from the change.
