In this day and age, two things that definitely need improving are the economy and the environment. You can improve your personal economy and help the environment at the same time by converting many of the technologies in your home to green energy. Read on for some great advice on how to accomplish this.
Swap your old incandescent light bulbs for high-efficiency LED or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These bulbs use far less electricity than incandescent, and they come in sizes that fit most existing fixtures. While the up-front cost is generally higher, most of these bulbs will last for years before burning out.
Shading your windows from direct sunlight can help you use less energy. Use curtains or blinds as an alternative. When https://www.lightingdirect.com/ you do these things, you then make your house cooler and reduce the amount of air conditioning you use during the summer. 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. Best for locations with a warmer climate, a solar water heater uses the sun's energy to heat water that circulates through it. If you live in a climate that faces cold winters, also install a traditional heater for your water.
It is fairly simple to have solar panels installed to tap into solar energy to use in your home. Before you do this though, you need to think about a few things first. The most important thing you need to consider is the amount of sun your home gets regularly. If your house is usually in the shade, solar panels will provide limited additional power.
In winter, save energy and money by turning down the heat and adding a layer of clothes. 2 degrees of warmth is added by wearing a light sweater, and 4 degrees with a heavy one. It's not necessary to dress good at home, so grab a sweater drop ceiling led panels lights to save money.
Make sure that your home is completely sealed from all drafts, if you want to live green and use the principals of green energy. Windows and doors are your biggest culprits for letting hot and cold air out of your home. So, seal them up and start saving money.
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 love green energy and green living, consider using electric heaters less during the winter months. Buy more warm clothing and use a fireplace to add heat to your home. Keep in mind, cooler air while sleeping makes your breathing better, and keeps your airways from getting too dry.
If you have a car with a diesel engine, think about switching to biodiesel. Biodiesel is degradable is will not have any harmful effects on the environment. However, using biodiesel can be expensive and finding filling stations is hard. If you can afford to use this alternative, do your best to reduce harmful emanations from diesel engines.
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.
If you are purchasing new appliances, try to aim for Energy Star rated ones. The Energy Star rating guarantees that the appliance you are using has been built to use much less energy than its non-rated predecessor. For your refrigerator/freezer, Energy star appliances promise to cut energy usage by 20%, and you will see 40% and 50% energy usage, respectively, in Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines.
If offered in your location, try to switch your electricity company to a Green Power service provider. This is a great way to protect the environment and save you money. If you are unsure if you have one of these providers in your area, the Internet is great resource to find out.
An excellent green energy tip is to purchase ENERGY STAR rated CFLs. Not only will they save you money over the long run. They produce about 70% less heat than a standard light bulb, are safer to use, and will lower home cooling costs. ENERGY STAR rated light bulbs also transmit light more effectively and evenly than the standard bulb.
A good green energy solution to replace cleaning products in your home is to use olive oil. By using olive to clean certain things around the home, you are avoiding the synthetic chemicals, compounds and substances that aren't very environmentally friendly which are present in the many household cleaning products you find on the market.
If at all possible, consider switching your electric or oil heating to gas. This is both better for the environment and your pockets. Just be aware that this is can be a complicated job that should be taken on by a skilled expert, should you decide to make this switch.
If environmental concerns are top of mind for you, try replacing your current hot water equipment with a solar hot water device. Depending on your needs, you may require a direct or indirect circulation system in order to make this a reality. Also consider a small traditional water heater as this is not always as reliable.
Insulate and seal your house to keep heat and cool air from escaping! There are few things that waste energy as easily as cracks and holes in a home. Spend the time and money needed to fill those holes and insulate the home in general, and you will see your energy costs dwindle as you'll be using much less energy!
Using a programmable thermostat will help you be greener in your energy use. You can program them so your heating and cooling are minimized when you are sleeping or not at home. In order to conserve power, the newest models allow you to program them for various start and end times for different days of the week.
More and more people are becoming aware of the need for a shift from traditional, polluting energy to renewable, clean, green energy. Hopefully, some of the thoughts and ideas mentioned in this article should help you as you learn more about green energy. We all have a responsibility to take care of our world, and finding better energy sources is key to fulfilling that responsibility.
