Sunday, 27 January 2013

Pros And Cons Of Choosing A Green Energy Provider

By Marylou Cauble


Green energy is gaining popularity around the world. That is because green energy not only conserves the natural resources available on this planet, but because it can also be more affordable for most people. Here are some smart ways to introduce green energy to your life, if you haven't already.

A great tip to help save energy is to rinse your dishes with cold water, particularly if you are using a dishwasher. Using hot water will cause your water heater to expend unnecessary energy, resulting in a higher electric bill. Avoid this by rinsing with cold water only.

Use the weight of your car to save gas while you are driving. You can increase the miles per gallon of your car by reducing the use of your gas pedal and also your brake. Stop accelerating at least one eighth of a mile before each stop and cut down on fuel usage.

Replace your appliances with energy-efficient appliances. Not only will you save energy and cut down on your electricity bills, but you can get a tax break for using these appliances. Look for Vitality Star or Energy Star appliances when replacing stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators and other major electrical appliances.

Seal any air leaks in your home. Air leakage, or infiltration typically occurs when the outside air enters your house uncontrollably via openings and cracks. You can properly seal these openings and cracks via sealant or weatherstripping. This greatly reduces cooling and heating costs, betters your building's durability, and helps you mainatain a healthier home environment.

An easy tip that will have you saving energy instantly is to only preheat your oven when you absolutely have too. Often times, people preheat their ovens far longer than they should simply wasting energy. Only preheat your oven if you have to and if you do, make sure you start baking as soon as your oven is preheated.

Take the time to dry your clothes naturally. The dryer in your home takes up a lot of energy and it is quite simple to just hang your clothes and allow them to air dry. If you do need to use the dryer, then be sure to clean out the lint to help it work more efficiently.

Choosing to switch to green energies is a decision you should make after considering how much money you will really save. You should have a good idea of how much energy you are currently using and what it is costing you. Take into consideration the cost of the green energy system and the amount of energy it is expected to produce.

If environmental concerns are top of mind for you, try replacing your current hot water equipment with a solar hot water device. Depending on your needs, you may require a direct or indirect circulation system in order to make this a reality. Also consider a small traditional water heater as this is not always as reliable.

Think small. If you are unable to use alternative energy for your entire house, start with just one room. You can use alternative energy sources in one room and when you are ready, install it in another room. This way you are not overwhelmed with the expense of making over your house to use alternative energy.

Especially in extremely warm climates, it is important to do as much as you can to save on cooling costs. One thing you can do is to use trees and bushes to shade your home, and this in conjunction with other strategies will save you much on energy consumption and costs.

Install toilets that have the WaterSense label. These toilets use around 30% less water, and are have been tested for maximum efficiency and performance. The average toilet is flushed around five times a day, and with these WaterSense labeled toilets, about 4,000 gallons of water can be saved a year.

Do not turn down the thermometer when you are trying to cool off your house faster. The air conditioner works at the same speed either way. Set the thermometer for a comfortable level and wait patiently. You will save money in the long run because you will not be spending extra money on excessive cooling.

An easy way to make your home greener is to replace your old light fixtures with ones, which are ENERGY STAR qualified. If you are unable to install ENERGY STAR qualified lighting fixtures at the moment, at least replace your standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) which use much less energy.

Make use of the natural sunlight for great green energy savings. Install solar tubes in your home which take the light from outdoors and bring it inside so you do not need to use lamps and other lighting sources as often. These are relatively inexpensive and are great for increasing the value of your home.

Turn off the kitchen, bathroom, and any other exhaust fans as soon as you no longer need them. Some people leave the fans on for 20 minutes or so, but it is better to leave them on for no longer than five minutes after showering, bathing, or cooking is finished.

Your washing machine can be useful in utilizing green energy. When you want to wash clothes, only do so when you have a full load of clothes. Waiting until you have full load ensures that you will not use your machine as often, meaning you will use less energy and water.

Use the power of the sun to help you heat your home. By installing large windows or glass patio doors on the south side of your home, you can catch the morning sun. This free energy will heat your room for a few hours each morning and cut down on heating costs. Once you introduce green energy to your life, it will become easier to implement the tips from the article. Implementing the tips will result in lower energy bills for you, but it will also contribute to a cleaner world. Think about how much green energy can help you, and apply the tips from this article.




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