Homeowners can be confused and overwhelmed when thinking of making their home green. It is tough to understand where to start and how to improve the environment (and your life) the most. For solutions to the problems potentially posed by going green with your household energy use, check out the following helpful tips.
Although this may seem like common sense, many people still keep the lights, appliances and electronics on when they are not using them. If you make this a habit, your energy bills could be greatly reduced. Always take a few minutes to think before you leave your home and turn off all your appliances.
Heat rooms separately to save heating costs. Consider getting baseboard heating to adjust the heat in every room. For large homes, this is especially useful.
Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help keep your home warm during the winter months. Warm air is pushed down when the fan is running in a clockwise rotation. It is much less costly to run your ceiling fans than it is to run your furnace.
Shut off lights when not in use. Turn off the lights when you leave the room, and only use lights that are necessary. If you don’t need them, turn lights off, like those on your porch or in your cabinets. This simple change can go a long way towards reducing your electric bill.
Environmentally-conscious consumers should check out front-loading washing machines. They do not need nearly as much water as top-loading machines use in order to clean your laundry much more efficiently. The bonus is that not only are you helping the environment, you are also going to save money over time.
Hvac Systems
A geothermal heating and cooling systems might be a worthwhile upgrade for your home. These efficient HVAC systems include underground pipes that have refrigerant and water running through them. These pipes run into a machine, either heating or cooling your home. HVAC systems are more efficient due to underground temperature being more steady than above ground temperature.
Your thermostat should be adjusted depending on the season of the year. Lower your thermostat slightly in the winter and raise it slightly in the summer. By removing or adding layers to your clothing, you will use less energy and be able to keep a more reasonable temperature setting.
Before considering solar energy to power your home, do a detailed analysis of you home energy usage. Be thorough and mark everything. It will be simpler for a professional to give you a quote if they know the amount of power you need.
Find someone who is qualified to work with. Before investing in a green energy technology, it is important to find out if it is right for your particular situation. Talk to friends and neighbors to find a professional who will be straightforward and provide details about the efficiency of the system.
Cut energy usage while cooking by making better use of your oven’s light. Checking on your food through the oven window rather than opening up the door saves a lot of energy and cooking time because heat doesn’t escape from the oven.
Traditional Batteries
Instead of purchasing traditional batteries for your modern gadgets, buy rechargeable versions instead! Once traditional batteries are used, they are thrown in the garage which will lead to be a detriment to the environment over time. Rechargeable batteries might cost more initially but, in the long run, they will save you money and they are certainly the more environmental friendly option. Not only are these batteries better for the environment, but they can save you quite a bit of money over the course of their lives.
It is vital to frequently check your oven’s seal for heat escape when it is in use. Broken seals can cause ovens to use more than 50% more energy.
One thing you’re going to want to keep in mind to save energy is to start using lids when you cook. This keeps the heat in the pan and allows you to cook at a lower stove setting, saving lots of energy.
You may want to get a shower head that saves water. This feels similar to a traditional shower head, but saves a lot of water. Your water utility bill will drop right away, and you will have the added benefit of knowing that you’re helping the planet.
Straw Bale
One unusual option available to those who would like to be as green as possible is construction of a straw bale homes. Straw is a great insulator and it also cheap to buy. If you’re not going to commit to a straw bale home, try including a small structure.
You can remove your laptop battery and run it through AC current if you don’t have to be mobile, which saves on electricity. Even if the battery is fully charged, it still draws in and consumes energy, so when you take it out while your computer is still plugged in, you save on kilowatts and improve your battery life.
Homes greatly vary in layout and geographical area. With these different characteristics, the green energy technologies that will work may vary, significantly. Some green technologies are suitable for every home, while others won’t be. When you see tips that fit your current scenario, make use of them wisely.
If you needATT Systemsfor more details