With the wealth of information available on green energy, it can seem daunting to find exactly what you are looking for, as well as what solutions will work in your home. The tips in this article will teach you what you need to know to get started with green energy.
Before you consult with someone to install solar panels, it’s best to write a list of the appliances in the home, and list the wattage each appliance uses, to determine energy needs. They will need this information to determine just how much power a solar system will be expected to generate.
You can cut your energy consumption by a lot if you just cut back on the electricity you use. If an appliance is not in use, unplug it. When you are no longer using them, turn off lights and the television. This simple suggestion helps cut your electricity bills.
Whenever possible, use cold water to wash your clothing. Almost 90% of the power you use to do laundry is simply used to heat the water. Washing clothes in cold water can be just as effective as a warm cycle, especially with today’s cold water detergents. Furthermore, remember to always wash a full load, as this is more energy efficient.
To conserve energy and save money, only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. Do not simply place a few dishes into it and run it. You’ll be surprised at how many dishes a dishwasher can load. Align the dishes so several can fit inside.
If you aren’t using an appliance, turn it off. When you exit a room, be sure that everything has been fully turned off. Power strips are handy, because you can turn a number of devices off with the flip of one switch.
Never run a dishwasher that is partly empty. The dishwasher uses the same energy when full that it uses when empty, but you’ll have to run it less often. Make use of the air drying, energy-saving option on your washer.
Solar Energy
If you would like to reduce the cost of your hot water, use solar energy. Consider investing in a hot-water system that runs off of solar energy. Your choices include an indirect or direct circulation system. You’re better off with an indirect system if you are worried about pipes freezing during the winter.
Consider how many hours of sunlight you can expect in the winter as you plan your solar system, so that you know how much energy you can expect it to generate. This way, you aren’t beyond your capacity in the winter, and you have plenty of excess power in the summer. If your plan is contingent on net usage, you will even get money back from your utility company because of the excess energy you are creating!
If you are building a new home or are in the market for a new water heater, consider a tankless model. While they do require energy to heat the water, they require only a small amount of energy to heat a smaller amount of water. Tankless water heaters are available to purchase in many different sizes; you can heat water for your whole house, or just a single faucet.
Use electric heating sparingly in the winter. A fireplace for the living area, wearing warmer clothing and purchasing some slippers are all greener ways of keeping the family warm. It helps breathing, and prevents dry airways if you make the air cooler during sleeping.
Dressing warmly can help you reduce energy and go green. Light or heavy sweaters will both provide you with additional warmth of up to 4 degrees. Since it is pointless to wear very little clothing while indoors, you might as well wear a sweater.
Although researching the many green energy technologies can be a bore, putting the tips that you learned in this article to use in your home will be fun! These tips are easy and affordable means of incorporating simple changes to your house that will yield great results for both you and the environment. So, not only will your bank account be happy, but your children’s children can live on a better planet.
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