Tuesday 4 December 2012

Small Things You Can Do To Live Green

By Shelley Bickel


If you do not know a lot when it comes to green energy, this guide will supply you the information that you need. You will be able to help not only yourself, but your environment as well. There are different methods available to you for going green, and this article discusses some of the best ones.

Use the microwave instead if you'd like to save energy. When cooking, stoves and ovens often use lots of energy, usually more than is needed. 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.

If you are not in a room, do not keep the lights on. You would be surprised how much energy you could end up saving over time if you get into the habit of turning off your lights. In addition, you will save money on your utility bill.

Replace and clean furnace filters yearly, and check them monthly. You should put filters in registers that are warm-air too. These filters keep children's toys, dirt or dust from clogging the heating ducts.

Collect rainwater to use to flush your toilet. This saves money on the water bill and is good for the environment, too. Use glass jars to collect rainwater and close them once they are full.

Consider solar water heaters to make your home more energy efficient. This option is only applicable in areas that do not reach freezing temperatures. If you live in a warm climate, you can use a system that pumps your water through the solar heater before coming out of your pipes. Having a conventional heater as a back up if you expect a surge in hot water use can be wise.

Trade out your older, tank-style water heater for a tankless model that is more green. While tankless heaters still require gas or electricity to heat your water, they only heat the amount of water you need, rather than keeping a large tank hot around the clock. You can purchase a tankless heater for a faucet or your whole home.

When planning a home solar system, calculate the potential energy generation of the system using hours of sunshine in the winter. This way, you aren't beyond your capacity in the winter, and you have plenty of excess power in the summer. Be sure to get a net-usage plan with the energy company so that you can get money from them when you put the surplus energy onto their grid.

A tankless water heater that heats water on-demand is a great energy saving device. Old fashioned heaters run constantly, heating the water even when not needed, therefore wasting energy. You'll get hot water whenever you need it without having to wait for it to heat up. You'll also save a lot of energy.

If you aspire to live a green, environmentally friendly lifestyle, there are many options for you. For example, cleaning your furnace filters every month and turning down the heat when you aren't at home will greatly increase the efficiency of your furnace. Reducing the water heater temperature to 120 degrees can save money too. Even the smallest amount of effort can help.

If you can, check into windows for your home that are energy-efficient. These have many benefits, such as reduced spending on energy bills, a quieter home, and less condensation on the interior of your windows.

You can use ceiling fans in the winter. Putting them clockwise can get rid of the warm air that flows toward your ceiling, which decreases the amount of heating you need. The amount it costs to run ceiling fans is insignificant compared to the amount of energy necessary to run your furnace.

Wear natural fabrics instead of always using the air conditioning during summer. Natural fibers like cotton can absorb moisture from your skin, helping you feel cooler. Choose lighter colors so that you feel cooler and can resist turning up the air conditioning.

As you can probably see, solar panels can provide many benefits, including energy and cost savings. They're easy to buy, install, and are durable also. Adding solar panels to your home is a wonderful way you can "go green!"




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