Many people do not know where to start with going green. It can often seem too expensive or difficult to try. Stop living in the past and start living in the future, by reading the tips laid out here, so you change life in your house for the better.
Buy products that save energy so that your home is more energy efficient. There are many options for green products, such as double-glazed windows or doors that are energy conscious. These products offer much more efficiency to your home. When using these types of products you cut down on your heating and cooling costs.
Look for federal and local rebates that apply to renewable energy at home. Ask your utility company if they offer rebates for green energy upgrades. Also look into tax deductions offered by the government that may apply to your green energy technology. These credits and rebates reduce the price you will pay to install green tech products at home.
Watch watt usage carefully. Choose an energy monitor like the Kill-A-Watt or the Watt Minder to help you determine which devices and appliances consume the most energy. Plug your appliances into these devices and they can let you know how much energy they use in an hour, a month, or a year. This is helpful in showing you exactly what each appliance costs to run.
Unless cold temperatures become a real problem, it is better to keep the heat turned down. If you are cold, put on sweatpants and a sweatshirt. When heat is raised to a higher level you end up using a lot of energy you didn’t really need to use.
Solar Oven
Build and use a solar oven to bake outdoors and save energy. Use common household items to make a solar oven. Put a piece of an old window into a box and place foil inside the box to reflect the sun’s rays. These ovens reach temperatures greater than 300 degrees, while using no outside energy besides solar.
Carpool so you can use less fuel. Talk with other parents and try to arrange a carpool schedule so that you all take turns driving your kids to school. Those who live close to friends or family can go grocery shopping together.
If you’re one of many who wants to live an environmentally friendly life, there’s plenty you can do. Start with the simplest methods, such as setting your heating thermostat to 60 degrees while you are away from home, and cleaning your furnace filters every few months. Reducing the water heater temperature to 120 degrees can save money too. Anything you can do will help!
One way to help reduce energy consumption is to develop an energy savings plan. You should compare your goals with your utility bills to ensure you are staying on track. By being aware of the energy you use, you can start to reduce that consumption. For instance, should you consciously decide to decrease your electricity or water use, you are also likelier to turn off appliances or unused lights.
Use LED lights to decorate for the holidays instead of traditional strand lights. A study conducted by the United States The U.S. would be able to save Two billion kilo watt hours of energy if everyone did this change. This is enough energy to power 20,000 houses in one year. You can at least look forward to saving money on your energy bills!
Considering the purchase of a new boiler could save you money in the long run. Many old boilers were not made with saving energy in mind, whereas new boilers tend to be more energy efficient. Newer boilers don’t produce as much carbon dioxide and use less energy, which saves on your energy costs and promotes better health.
You may be wondering what you have to do in order to make your home green, and to see its positive results. Hopefully this article has answered your many questions, and it is up to you now to implement the tips and techniques into your own home and life. Once you begin you’ll see results before you know it and be amazed!
