Reconfiguring your home to use less energy is easier than it has ever been before. With a few simple changes you can save money and reduce your impact on the world. The article below is here to help you get started.
Choose solar-powered lights when installing outdoor lighting in your yard. This type of lamp is cost-effective and needs no power other than sunlight. This, of course, will save you a lot of money. You will not have to hook up the lights to an electrical source.
If there is running water on your property, you should consider investing in a good hydro-power solution. A simple mill can turn into an energy generator. Get in touch with Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to find out if your stream is strong enough to produce a significant amount of power.
Use curtains to assist you in keeping green. If it is summer and you want the room to stay cool, draw the curtains during the day so that the sun doesn’t shine in. If it’s winter, and you want the room to stay warm, open the curtains and let the sun into your room.
Make sure that all heating and cooling units and registers are not blocked by furniture, window treatments, or kid’s toys. If a piece of furniture must be placed in front of a baseboard heater, leave a space of two feet. This may seem like a waste of space, but this allows you to avoid wasting energy.
Use solar hot water. By installing a solar hot water system, you can use solar power to heat the water you use for everything in your home. It will work for your showers, washing dishes and doing laundry. If you are worried about not getting enough sun, you can invest in a small, traditional water heater as well.
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Start using batteries that have been recycled or else use rechargeable batteries. Disposable batteries are full of toxins and actually take about half of the energy they put off, in order to produce. If you are using disposable batteries, be sure to recycle them. Rechargeable batteries, however, can be used over and over again.
Insulate your home. A pre-1950 home that isn’t insulated will use approximately 60 percent more energy than a house that was built after 2000. Adding sufficient insulation to your attic and basement will greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency. As well as keeping you warm in the winter, you will find that the home remains much cooler in the summer months, reducing the need for an air conditioner.
Replace your light bulbs with eco-friendly bulbs. These light bulbs will last longer, burn brighter and use less power. The only downside is that they are more expensive than regular light bulbs. However, you will get your money back when your energy bills start decreasing and you won’t have to constantly buy new light bulbs.
Are you currently using a wood-burning fireplace to decrease your dependence upon fossil fuels? If so, remember to shut the flue damper very tightly when your fireplace is not being used. If you forget to do this, both warmed or cooled air will easily escape from your house through the chimney.
You might want to consider installing automatic light sensors that include motion detection in the rooms that have the most traffic. These lights only go off when someone is the room, so you will save money and energy when no one is in the room. Include sensors on your outdoor lighting and lights in the garage, as well.
Insulating your hot water cylinder door canopy led lights can help you to save large amounts of energy in your home. Putting insulation around your pipes helps your hot water to run more quickly as well. If you are unsure of how to do this yourself, you may want to enlist the help of a professional.
If you have a tank-style water heater that you aren’t prepared to replace yet, conserve electricity or natural gas by lowering its thermostat. By changing the thermostat from the factory-set 140 degrees to 120 degrees, the heater requires 6 to 10 percent less energy to keep your water hot.
Consider installing a solar powered hot water heater for your home. These systems use natural sunlight to heat the water in your home and are very green alternatives to using a standard power water heater. You will save a bunch of money using these systems because you are not wasting your money on power to heat your water.
A great way to help save energy and live a greener lifestyle is to purchase energy efficient appliances. Make sure that any new appliances you buy have the Energy-Star rating as this not only saves a great deal of energy, but it can also lower your power bill significantly.
What is the most appropriate way to be implementing green energy technologies that can be simple and inexpensive? You have learned what it takes through this article, yet it all hinges on your actions now. Start now, and you will be surprised by the benefits you will reap!
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