Many people want to have a greener life but are unsure how to start. There are many green energy technologies available to help save energy and money. This article will show you how to incorporate green energy into your life.
If you are repairing or replacing your roof, and you have good sun exposure, look into having photovoltaic (PV) cells integrated into the roofing material. Modern PV cells are much less noticeable than older styles. If you don't use all of the electric generated by your home, some utility companies will even let you feed it back into the system for credit against your bills.
If you have a swimming pool, you can save a lot of money by using solar energy to heat the water. Solar heating systems are not more expensive than other solutions and are easier to maintain. These systems also work for your outdoor hot tub. This is probably the best use of solar power.
Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need http://www.greenseal.org/ them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished.
If your property has a small stream running through it, you can install a micro hydropower system. These systems divert a small amount of the water through a turbine or wheel, providing energy that can be used to light and heat your home. If the flow is strong enough, you can power multiple homes on one of these systems.
Make small changes if you do not have a lot of money to invest or do not have access to the kind of resources you need. Get a small solar power installation to provide power for one room only, and get a few solar cells to charge your cell phone and other devices, for instance.
If you are in the process of, or planning to, design your own home, you can build some green energy sources right http://www.my-led-lighting-guide.tumblr.com/post/146106813588/industrial-and-commercial-led-lights into your home from the beginning. Start by looking for land that has a water source such as a creek or room for wind turbines. Another good idea is to choose a roof with solar panels built in. You can even position them to get the most out of sunlight.
Wash your clothes in cold water. Clothes come just as clean if you use cold water instead of hot water, and making the switch can save a lot of energy. Most of the energy used to wash clothes is the energy the water heater uses to heat the water.
Pay attention to the thermostat in your home. Installing a programmable thermostat makes it easier for you to track the temperature in your house, and turn the heat down when you aren't at home. Between 1 and 3 percent of your energy costs can be cut for each degree you turn it down!
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.
Think about baking with a solar oven. You can make this by using a piece of foil, a box, and an old window. This oven uses only solar energy and can reach cooking temperatures in excess of 300 degrees.
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.
When purchasing wood items, consider getting products that are crafted from bamboo. Bamboo is very green and strong and is technically considered a grass. Since bamboo grows quite fast it is one of the best renewable choices you can make. You can find a variety of bamboo products, from floors to furniture to cutting boards for the kitchen. This will reduce energy consumption for the production and recycling of manufacturing items.
During very hot days, make sure that the doors and windows stay closed. During the night when the temperature is cooler, keep them open. This can help keep your home at a good temperature without having to use the air conditioning. This can lead to less energy usage and more savings.
Consider a ground-source heat pump for your home. A ground source heat pump makes use of the constant 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.
Take your own bags to the supermarket to bag your groceries. You can use plastic or paper bags you have gotten on previous trips to the store or purchase cloth bags for this purpose. Some stores even offer discounts to customers who bring their own bags, so you can save money as well as the environment.
Contact your local utility company to see if purchasing energy from renewable sources is an option for you. Buying green energy directly from a power company is one of the easiest ways to go green with your energy use, without having to invest in any major alterations to your home.
Remember that buying green technology is an investment that will pay off later. You usually have to pay a bit more upfront for green technologies, but you will save far more than the difference over time with reduced energy costs. It will also have a positive effect on the environment over the long term.
Now you should be well prepared to set about the task of turning your home into a green energy machine! Try some of the tips featured in this article today, to start saving money and feeling better about yourself and how you are preserving the resources of the planet,as well as, keeping it cleaner!
