When you hear the term "green energy", you may be slightly confused. If you don't already know, green energy is, essentially, renewable energy that can be used with a minimal negative impact on the environment. Green energy can be used in various ways in the home, as this article will show you.
If you want to conserve energy, adjust your air conditioning unit so that it is set two degrees higher in the summer and two degrees lower in the winter. You will probably not be able to tell that you have changed it, but taking that step will save you on your monthly bill and bring down your carbon emissions.
If your exhaust fans are more than five years old, consider replacing them with newer more efficient models. Each year you should examine each exhaust fan in your home for damage and replace the filter. A damaged exhaust fan uses more energy and changing the filter allows the fan to work more efficiently.
If there is running water on your property, you should consider investing in a good hydro-power visit my home page solution. A simple mill can turn into an energy generator. Get in touch with http://lighting.cree.com/ Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to find out if your stream is strong enough to produce a significant amount of power.
Use rainwater to water outdoor plants and shrubs. This water can also be collected and used for kiddie pools and other outdoor water needs. Rain collection buckets are simple to install, and these reduce the amount of city or well water you use each year, saving you money and keeping your yard green.
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.
Dressing warmly can help you reduce energy and go green. Wearing a sweater can make you feel two to four degrees warmer, depending on the thickness of the sweater. It's not necessary to dress good at home, so grab a sweater to save money.
If you can not afford to get new windows that are more energy efficient, be sure to invest in some good shades. During the summer months, cover the windows during the day to keep the sun out. In the winter months, leave the window covers open to let the sun heat up the rooms; close them at night though to help keep the cold out.
Get your whole family thinking about green energy by stocking organic, recycled or eco-friendly products whenever possible. Ask your kids to identify such products on the shelves at the store and explain why those products are better for your family, your home and your environment. You can also segue such conversations into other eco-friendly practices like shutting off the water while brushing your teeth or turning off lights when not in a room.
Use a laptop computer instead of desktop, which uses much more energy. It can mean a savings of up to seventy-five percent on the electricity if you are a frequent Internet user or if you use word-processing software. Additionally, you can carry a laptop with you, so it's possible to use it wherever you want.
If you want to save energy and be more green, think about buying a folding metal drying rack for your laundry room. Many items that we throw in the clothes dryer are bulky and take a lot of energy to dry, so if you throw them on a rack to dry, they dry for free and save you some cash.
Power strips are a great way not only to protect your expensive appliances but also to easily lower your energy usage. Instead of having to switch off or unplug every individual appliance when they are not in use, you can simply switch off all power strips at night or when you leave your home.
People looking to go green would be wise to use oil lanterns to light up their homes. Oil lanterns don't use any electricity at all, and there are even some lanterns out there that will run on used vegetable oil that you can easily get from restaurants or your own kitchen.
You can reduce your monthly energy bills by air-sealing. This means sealing off openings in your home where hot and cool air can either escape or get inside the home. Places to seal include windows, doors, gaps around attic access hatches and pull-down stairs. Look for anyplace where you can find gaps that allow heat or cool air to escape!
Turn off lights when you exit a room. This is a tried-and-true energy saving trick. Turning off the lights will save a surprising amount of energy. You not only save a lot of energy but you save money, as well.
Avoid putting hot foods in their fridge or freezer for people looking to save energy. When you put hot foods in the fridge, it warms the total internal temperature causing your appliance to run longer to get it back down to the desired temperature. Rather, let your food cool before you refrigerate it.
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.
You can make big changes for a greener life as simply as opting for green light bulbs for your home. When you take the time out to do a few projects around the house yourself to live in a more green environment you can save a lot of money. Pick a small project and begin today.
One green energy device you can use is a programmable thermostat. These thermostats can regulate your home's climate so you are not cooling or heating your home unnecessarily. More advanced models feature the ability to control energy with different on and off times for each day.
In conclusion, people from all backgrounds have become interested in green energy lately. Mainly because of all the benefits it provides. With the information that has been provided to you in the above article, you are on the path to properly using green energy to your benefit and improving your whole life!
