Nowadays, everyone’s talking about green energy. Proponents claim that it is the only way to go, and that you’ll save money and Mother Earth in tandem. Can this be true? This article contains advice on implementing green energy in your lifestyle; read this over to make an informed decision.
The government has grants available to those who are willing to invest in alternative renewable energies. Contact your local government in order to see the different programs available in your area. You may qualify for free wind or solar installation, or you may find that you can deduct some of your expenses on your taxes.
Do you have a farm? If you do, then you probably own property. This might be an opportunity to rent a portion of that property to a company that will build a wind turbine on it. You could take advantage of the energy offered and the space requirements are minimal.
Do your laundry using cold water, if you can. Almost ninety percent of the energy used by a washing machine comes from heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Good detergents wash clothes even in cold water. Also, don’t wash your clothes until you can completely fill the washer, as this saves energy over time.
During the summer months, hang your clothes outside instead of drying them in the dryer. The sun will dry your clothing for free and the summer breeze will leave it smelling amazing. They’ll smell so much better than if you shoved them into a dryer! You will also save money on utility bills by doing this.
If you prefer to use your dishwasher to wash your dishes, only run it when it is full to capacity. An equal amount of water and energy is used, whether it is full or not. When you do run the dishwasher, make sure to use the energy saving setting, which will allow your dishes to air-dry.
Storm Doors
In homes with storm doors and windows, air flow is controlled better. Storm doors and windows decrease cold air from drafts. Energy efficiency is increased by 45 percent in homes that have stormed doors and windows, which will save a lot of money on electricity.
Use a tankless water heater instead of one that uses a tank. Tankless water heaters still use electricity or gas, but they do not run constantly heating a large tank all the time. They heat only the water you need. You can get a tankless water heater to heat your entire home’s water supply or you can get a smaller one that heats only water that comes out of a particular faucet.
Putting on a few more layers can help you save money in the winter. A light sweater gives you 2 extra degrees of warmth, while a heavy sweater gives you 4 degrees. You don’t have to wear a t-shirt and shorts in your home, so dress warmly and save money!
Avoid turning the heat up in your home unless you have to. Wear sweatpants and a sweater if you are chilly. Having your heat turned up too high will consume a great deal of unnecessary energy.
A solar oven is a great consideration if you are an avid baker. These can even be made yourself using items such as a box, a discarded window, and some tin foil. Ovens like this can be assembled quickly, reach temperatures in excess of 300 degrees, and do not require any energy besides the sun.
If you’re one of many who wants to live an environmentally friendly life, there’s plenty you can do. Perhaps you don’t have money to spend on making your home more green, but it is possible to start by maintaining smaller things, like clean filters and regulated temperatures. Lowering the temperature of your water heater can save energy as well. Every little thing you can do will help.
Another great idea would be to use bio-fuels for house heating. Biofuels are made out of a variety of things, including: oil, wood, and animal/vegetable fats. A propane furnace can be converted to use these types of fuels, or fuel blends. That is roughly 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. Professionals should be consulted before any changes are made to your current furnace.
Use the microwave as much as you can to save energy while cooking. Cooking food using the stove or the oven consumes a large amount of power. Microwaves have a bed reputation because they tend to produce lackluster food and emit radiation, but the fact of the matter is that making use of them can greatly reduce your energy costs.
Bamboo is a wonderful option to consider in your home. Bamboo is technically grass and is a “green product”, but it is often much stronger than other available woods. It replenishes itself rapidly, unlike most woods, and can be used for flooring, furniture and nearly any other wood product. This saves energy needed to recycle and produce manufactured products.
Now that you have read this information, what are your thoughts? Do you think that green energy is a good thing for you? Remember the tips in the article so you can see an improvement in your life. Begin implementing the tips into your life today.