Just thinking about making green energy changes to a home can be stressful to some homeowners. It’s hard to know where is the best place to start and which changes that should be made. Read these suggestions to discover the green energy options available for you.
When creating lightning outdoors for a garden path or patio, consider using solar-powered lamps. Not only are these lamps cheap, but they only need power from the sun. This will save you a ton of energy. Also, it will no longer be necessary to install wired outdoor lights.
Shade your windows from the sun to prevent energy usage. Another option is installing darkening shades. Since your home will become cooler, you will not have to use the air conditioning that much. Not only will you save energy, but you will also save money.
Solar water heaters are an inexpensive and efficient way to heat your home’s water. If your location does not get too cold, purchase a system that puts the water in a solar heater prior to coming to your home. Don’t get rid of your conventional water heater though; you may need it if it’s cloudy when you’re ready to use hot water.
During the summer time, you should consider drying your clothes using the sun as opposed to using the dryer. Hanging your clothes outside to dry in the sun will give your clothes an incredible fresh smell. They will smell a lot fresher than being dried in the drier. You will also save on your utilities bills by line drying your laundry.
Take advantage of solar energy to heat your home’s water without breaking the bank. You can purchase a hot-water system that is run by solar energy. It is possible to chose between direct and indirect circulation systems. If frozen pipes are a concern where you live, the indirect option is probably better.
The flow of air in a home is better controlled when you have stormed windows and doors installed. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Homes which have stormed windows and doors increase their energy efficiency by as much as 45% which also ends up costing you a lot less on your utility bills.
Research solar panels to see if an active or passive set-up is right for your needs. Active power can be stored for later use. Passive power must be utilized more quickly but no expensive storage cells are required. You need to install solar panels and systems if you want active solar power. Passive energy is about using windows and insulation to keep your home warm and well-lit.
Desktop computers are very power hungry. Try using a laptop as an alternative. This could possibly reduce your electrical use by 75 percent, especially if the Internet is used frequently or there is heavy use of word processing software. The laptop has the added benefit of being portable, so you can use it anywhere!
Keep written track to remind yourself of your green energy goals, and look for progress in your energy consumption by comparing current bills to the previous year’s. Just being conscious of the energy that you use will help you reduce them significantly. If you are specifically focusing on reducing your electricity and water consumption, then you are going to be more conscious of lights left on, or dripping taps.
No two homes contain both the same layout and location. Because of these differences, not every home is well-suited for all types of green technology. There are a few types that can work in every home, while others are built for homes of a specific design or location. Find what will work for you and use it in your home.