Cutting back on how many resources run your home can be easy. You can decrease your carbon footprint by implementing a few changes, big or small, that will help you save money in the long term. Get great ideas on how to start as you read the article below.
Solar water heaters are an inexpensive and efficient way to heat your home’s water. If you live in a region that is not at risk for freezing, it is possible to install a system that pumps water into a solar heater, then pumps it into your house. You still should keep your regular water heater as a backup because there may be times when there isn’t a lot of sun or you have to use a lot of water that’s hot.
When you calculate the solar panel needs of your home, figure out the hours of sun you get in the winter. This will guarantee you energy no matter the weather, and it will have you entering the summer safely without energy concerns as well. If you have a net usage program you will get money returned to you from your utility company for energy generated by you.
Take time to maintain your fridge properly. You have to ensure it is in great working condition, as it sucks up energy like a sponge. Be sure that you’re regularly cleaning the dust that builds up near the heating coils. Additionally, you should ensure that the door seal is both tight and free of dirt.
When choosing new windows or doors, consider the energy ratings as you shop. Examples of these include windows, light bulbs, and appliances, all of which have been designed to run efficiently on reduced energy. This will reduce both your home’s heating and cooling bills.
Search for available rebates when you use renewable energy. Sometimes, your local utility company can give you a rebate based on what the upgrades cost. Tax deductions are also available from the government, sometimes. These credits and rebates can cut costs greatly when installing green technology in your dwelling.
Try not to set the heat very high in your home unless it’s an absolute must. If it’s a bit chilly, put sweatpants or a sweatshirt on. High levels of heat use too much energy.
Check and manage your watt usage. There are gadgets out there that will help show you what in your house is using the most energy. Look for brands like Watt Minder and Kill-A-Watt. By plugging any device into this gadget, it will tell you how much energy it consumes. This is helpful in showing you exactly what each appliance costs to run.
If you’re one of a lot of people who want to have a greener life and you desire to save our planet’s energy, there’s lots of things that you can do. You may not be able to spend a lot of money going green, but you can start by cleaning furnace filters each month and setting heat at 60 degrees when not at home. Setting your water heater to 120 F will also be an energy saver. No matter how small, everything helps!
Use biofuels as a heat source. Biofuel consists of vegetable or animals fats, wood and oils. You can find a professional to change your furnace if it is propane so that it can heat with the blend of fuels. This way, you would have approximately 20 to 99 percent biodiesel. However, it is important that you seek professional advice before any attempt is made to utilize this fuel.
Switching out your boiler for a newer, more efficient model can be a great way to save energy. Many old boilers were not made with saving energy in mind, whereas new boilers tend to be more energy efficient. Newer boilers produce far less carbon dioxide and reduce energy bills.
A good, old common sense tip for saving energy is turning off the lights as you leave the room. Simply turning off the lights when you aren’t using them can really save energy. You will also save on your electric bill.
5 Gallons
Install a toilet that uses less water. People have estimated that you flush about 50% of the water from your house down the toilet. Older models of toilets can have a capacity of 5 gallons. That is 5 gallons of wasted water per flush. New water saving models use closer to a gallon and a half of water per flush. This can save 70 percent of the water you used previously.
A great way to conserve energy at home is by setting your thermostat to 60 degrees if you are not at your house or if you are sleeping. At 60 degrees you use the lowest amount of energy you could possibly use. You can minimize energy usage and save money.
Don’t forget about ceiling fans during winter time. You should use them to help heat your home. They can be used to push the warmer air away from the ceiling when you put them in clockwise rotation. This will reduce the amount of time you need to run the furnace. It does take a little electricity to operate the fans, but you will save more energy from not having to run the furnace on a regular basis.
Remember these tips and do your best to apply them to your household. You’ll see your energy bills drop and be proud of the service you are performing for the environment. If you work toward meeting your green goals slowly and over a period of time, your home will eventually be at it’s greenest potential!