Going green does not mean going broke or having no time for anything else. You can save money on your electric bills and help the environment simply by changing a few things. Take advantage of the helpful tips in the article below to positively impact the environment with green energy.
Wear natural fabrics instead of using the air conditioning in the summer. Cotton and other natural fabrics actually http://www.cobleskill.edu/about/administrative-offices/advancement/external-scholarships.asp remove moisture from the skin, resulting in a cooler feel. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
Use solar-powered outdoor lights. Outdoor lighting elements are a great place to use solar power, since there is easy access to sunlight. There are a wide range of lighting options to fit any decor. Not only does the solar-powered feature save on your energy bill, but it also makes these lights easy to install anywhere on your property.
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.
Too often, the water heater allows water to reach a scalding temperature when trying to take a shower. Try turning the maximum heat on the water heater down by twenty degrees, and you will see a definite decrease in electricity costs. Tankless water heaters are another green energy option for anyone.
When a home has stormed windows and doors, air flows better. Storm windows are good at cutting down on the cool air that tries to get in. Energy efficiency improves by 45% when storm doors and windows are implemented, which are big energy savers.
Replace your furnace with one that has the Energy Star seal on it. You can save 15 to 20 percent on your month energy costs if you purchase a highly efficient furnace. You can even get a federal tax credit that will help cover the cost of your new furnace!
Switch to low flow or dual flush toilets. These particular toilets only use 1.28 gallons for liquid flushes. Families typically use 20-40% less water by using them instead of average toilets. On average, a family can save up to 2,000 gallons of water per year! This can provide https://www.greenmountainenergy.com/ significant savings to your water bill, every single month.
Remember that solar panels, whether you install them on your roof or anywhere else on your property, must be angled toward the sun to receive maximum exposure. In the Northern Hemisphere, this means facing them south with an angle of latitude plus fifteen degrees. Otherwise, your investment will not return as much energy as you hope.
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.
Invest in solar power for your home. Adding a few solar panels to your roof can actually decrease the cost of heating or cooling your home by up to 50%! Talk to a professional about where best to install them on your roof, as the placement is very important to get the optimal amount of direct sunlight.
If the time comes that you need a new toilet, purchase one that is energy efficient. A lot of water is wasted by constantly flushing, which has a negative impact on both your water bill and the environment. Many newer toilets have a flush feature that allows you to use less water.
Going green means many things, including saving energy in your home. One of the easiest and best money-saving ideas is to insulate your attic. The recommended insulation level for most attics is approximately 12 to 15 inches, depending on the type of insulation you are using. Attic insulation can save you a bundle on your energy bill!
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.
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.
Lighting has changed immensely over the last couple decades, and one energy efficient method for lighting a home that many consumers still have not grasped is the energy saving light bulb. These not only save you money on energy costs, but they last longer anyway. If you have not switched to energy-efficient light bulbs in your home, now is the time. The quality and variety of these lights is better than ever.
Try to be proactive, and take your frozen foods out early and allow them time to thaw in the fridge. This is not only a safer way in which food can be thawed, the cold air coming from the frozen food would help cool your refrigerator, reducing its energy consumption.
Place a layer of insulation around your hot water heater. You can find a hot water heater insulation kit available from your local home improvement stores. This insulation wraps around the heater keeping heat from dissipating. This, in turn, keeps your water hotter for longer, so you do not waste energy re-heating water over and over.
As was mentioned at the start of this article, green energy has garnered quite a bit of interest in the media and amongst everyday people. Sadly, some people aren't sure how they can implement green changes to live a more sustainable life. This article provided suggestions for environmentally concerned and compassionate people.
