Everyone loves to use their cars, microwaves, portable media players, and other life-enhancing technology, but it's often true that these items are being used at the cost of the environment. It's important to learn as much as possible about how to power everyone's life without damaging the Earth, and this article will help you do just that!
To help you use more green energy in your day to day life, contact your current energy or electricity provider to see if they offer a renewable-energy alternative. Many energy companies are beginning to offer environmentally sound, even higher priced energy services to cater to more socially conscious individuals.
A solar water heater may be a viable option in your home. If you live somewhere where you don't have to be concerned with temperatures that are freezing, you can use a system that circulates water through the solar heater before it gets pumped into your home. It is still a good idea to keep a regular water heater in case of excess hot water usage or overcast weather.
Solar panels can be easily installed on your home and are used to collect energy from the sun for use in your home. However, before installing them, there are some things to keep in mind. One thing to factor into your considerations is the amount of sun your house actually gets over the year. If you home is under a lot of shade, or in an area where you do not have a lot of sunny days, the power gained from your solar unit will not be very significant.
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.
Making changes to an existing home is very costly. If you want to start using green energies, you should think about moving or getting a new house built. Look for certain features such as running water or good exposure to the sun and wind when buying a new property or home.
Go green on your coffee break by bringing your own cup. If you usually order a Tall Latte at Starbucks, bring a tall re-usable coffee mug with you. Every time you ask your favorite coffee shop to mix your drink in your own cup, you are helping to green your environment.
In order to save energy at home, plug your electronics, including televisions and DVD players, into power strips and when you are not using them, turn off the power strips. Not only will you be preserving energy by doing this, but you will also be saving money on your electricity bill.
You do not have to leave your electronics behind to live a green lifestyle. Recharge your electronics with solar chargers and you no longer have to be concerned with your electronics being a drain on the environment. It is a small investment that pays off quickly in electric bills and a guilt-free conscience.
A solar oven can be an easy and free way to bake. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. These makeshift ovens can achieve temperatures of 300 degrees or more with no help from traditional energy sources, and they are simple to produce.
If you are still using a more traditional source of energy, invest in a programmable thermostat. This will let you pre-set your temperatures for both day and night times. This leads to savings in both money and energy as during the night many people allow their homes to cool down via the natural decrease in temperature.
Responsibly recycling electronics is a great way to maximize resources. When people think of green energy they think of alternative energy. However, it is just as important to get the most from the non-renewable resources that we use as it is to minimize our use. Recycling electronics http://www.privateschol.dept.ku.edu/Final_Table.php/ prevents unnecessary polluting of landfills as well as reuses resources that non-renewable.
If it is holiday time, you might want to consider throwing out your old bulbs and replacing them with new energy efficient LED lights for your tree and your home. These lights use 90 percent less energy than the old style lights and will save you money during the holiday season.
Don't use your dishwasher until you have a full load. Make sure your dishwasher is full before using it, hecause it takes the same amount of water and energy to wash a full load as it does half a load. Use the shortest cycle possible, if you can, turn the dishwasher off prior to the drying cycle, opening the door. This allows the dishes to air dry.
In a colder climate, make sure you weatherize your windows to be energy efficient. This will not only help you stay much warmer, but it will save you on energy costs. You can have this done for a fee, or you can do it yourself after purchasing the necessary products.
If you have a garden you need to water, but you want to save energy, stay away from a hose and use a watering can instead. Hoses use up a lot of energy and will increase your water bill. Even though it may take longer to use this method, it is worth it.
When you can, take showers rather than baths. Running a bath uses up to 40% more water than a shower does, which means more energy is being used and your water bill will sky rocket. If you insist in using a bath, let it fill up and then turn the water off.
Heat rooms separately to save heating costs. A floor heating system that allows individual room control is a great investment. Choose this type of solution if you own a large home.
Keep a lot of food in your refrigerator. That may seem odd, but the truth is that refrigerators that have a lot of food and items inside do not warm as quickly as less-stocked refrigerators. That means that refrigerators full of food use less energy, which is definitely a greener way to live.
There are no easy answers to the energy problems of today's society, but learning everything possible about energy sources is a good place to start. The more people understand various energy sources, the better changes can be made. The tips above will help you understand energy sources and the most efficient ways to use them.
