Electricity makes the world go 'round, but have you ever considered the sources it comes from? Green energy is found in many environmentally-friendly sources, and you can use it within your own home to ensure that your appliances are powered without damaging the Earth. Read on for some simple strategies to get you started.
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.
Try using cold water in the washing machine whenever it is possible. 90% of the energy used by washing machines is for heating up water. Because of this, using warm water will just increase your monthly utility bill and decrease the amount of money you have at the end of the month.
Check with a technician and see if switching to biodiesel for your home instead of fuel oil is a viable option for you. Many systems allow a switch to biodiesel or biofuel with slight modifications. Biodiesel is great because it is more efficient and produces less pollution that standard oil, which will reduce your carbon footprint.
If you are planning on installing solar panels, understand the amount of maintenance required. You have to keep the photovoltaic cells clean. If the cells are installed on your roof, this could mean climbing all over your roof as often as once a month. If you are not able to do that, you'll need to hire someone.
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint as well as save some money, do a load of dishwashing only when the dishwasher is filled to capacity. It is wasteful to run the dishwasher with just a few items inside. You may be shocked to learn the number of dishes that can be loaded into a dishwasher. Carefully align your dishes so that you can place as many dishes into it as possible.
Measure the prevailing wind speed on your property before considering a wind generator. In order for wind energy to be cost-effective, you need a wind speed greater than 8.5 to 9 MPH at least sixty percent of the time. Any slower, and the turbine won't spin fast enough to generate much electricity.
Remember to unplug appliances when they are not being utilized. A lot of appliances will continue to consume a significant amount of energy passively even when they are turned off. The reason for this is that energy is required to power features such as LED status lights, and clocks. Completely unplugging the appliance at the wall outlet will help you save energy.
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 http://www.homedepot.com/b/Electrical-Light-Bulbs-LED-Light-Bulbs/N-5yc1vZbm79 a definite decrease in electricity costs. Tankless water heaters are another green energy option for anyone.
Make energy efficiency a sure thing in your home by installing a programmable thermostat and putting other appliances on timers. Set your thermostat for different temperatures at different times of the day, depending on who is or is not home. Likewise, set appliances on timers that shut them off regardless of whether or not anyone is home.
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.
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.
If you have a stream or creek on your property, you may want to look into using a micro hydro-power system as an energy alternative. The flow of water through a turbine will produce energy. Many times the amount of energy is not enough to fully power a home, but will offset the cost of your electric bill each month.
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.
Consider a ground-source heat pump for your home. A ground source heat pump makes use of the constant 2x4 led troffer insert temperature of the ground in order to heat and cool the home. The ground temperature will be warmer than the air in winter but cooler in the summer, making for highly efficient heat exchange.
So there you have it, green energy is not only great for us, but for the environment. The best thing about it is how relatively simple it is to use in any home. All you need to do is use the information presented here and your home can harness the power of green energy.
