Celebrities drive Smart cars and Al Gore has told us that global warming is going to cause havoc for us, but is anyone really listening to what these celebrities have to say on Green Energy? Forget the famous people and continue reading this article for some tips and tricks, which will help you to use green energy for your own advantage. Try using energy-efficient light bulbs or even LED lights in your home to cut costs for lighting. Turning off the lights when you are not in the room also helps to save energy. Keep this in mind when you are leaving home, as simply turning off the lights saves a lot of energy!
If your property has a small stream running through it, you can install a micro hydropower system. These systems divert a small amount of the water through a turbine or wheel, providing energy that can be used to light and heat your home. If the flow is strong enough, you can power multiple homes on one of these systems. Too often, the water heater allows water to reach a scalding temperature when trying to take a shower. Try turning the maximum heat on the water heater down by twenty degrees, and you will see a definite decrease in electricity costs. Tankless water heaters are another green energy option for anyone.
Support your local green energy providers by purchasing energy from them. You can check online to see if any of your local energy providers sell wind, hydro, or solar energy. By switching from the standard energy, you will send a message to your provider; you prefer cleaner energy. You will also be support the development of green energy in your area. Heat your home with a pellet stove. Pellets are basically made of compressed sawdust: they burn without any emanation and are much easier to store and transport than a pile of wood. Before investing in a pellet stove, you should find a place where you can get affordable pellets first.
Look into using recycled or rechargeable batteries for the items that require batteries. Disposable batteries cost a lot of money to produce and they also contain toxic chemicals which are bad for the environment. By switching to recycled or rechargeable batteries, you will be keeping these chemicals away from our environment. The average washing machine uses a lot of hot water. It can use over 30 gallons each load. Cut down on its hot water usage by washing in cold water. Many people struggle with this because they insist on having the water warm. If you’re one of them, try replacing your machine with an Energy Star unit. Many modern detergents clean clothes really well at low temperatures.
Geothermal heating may be something for you to consider. If you live in the right kind of area, you are going to be able to take advantage of the heat that the earth naturally produces. These pumps will use that natural energy to heat and cool your home. Contact your local heating contractor to learn more about this process. Pay attention to any federal or local rebates offered for making alternative-energy updates to your home. Local utility companies may even offer rebates or other assistance with upgrades. Additionally, it may be possible to take advantage of tax rebates offered by state and federal governments. You can lower the cost of putting green energy into your home by using these credits or rebates. A good green energy tips for your home is to always wash your dishes in cold water unless they are oily.
When using cold water, you are not using any electricity that you would normally use if the water was hot. Small things like this can really reduce the amount of energy your home uses each month. Invest in green technologies to ensure their proliferation. Consumers are a powerful group that can exercise that power by selective purchasing. If you want to encourage the use of renewable energy purchase products, vehicles, and electronics that utilize these technologies. If consumers insist on green technologies companies will produce items that use green technologies. Stay in control of your energy consumption by getting a Bye Bye Standby device. This device is basically a motherboard into which you can plug in all your devices. You will be able to completely turn on and off any device that you are not using through this panel. It also gives you access to information about your power consumption.
Many homeowners overlook wasted energy in the garage when they are trying to conserve. Heat in an uninsulated garage can literally go out the windows and doors. If you are interested in green energy, start by making sure your garage is properly insulated. Be sure to check with your county about building codes before you start. A tankless water heater is a great, “green” addition to any house. A tankless heater will heat your water at the source, meaning you aren’t storing heated water in a tank until you need to use it. The hot water is available almost immediately. This is an energy efficient option that can be added to most any home. Conserving energy and preserving the earth are the best ways to utilize efficient green energy. While the technology is catching up with the consumer demand, we need to realize that conservation is the best alternative to green energy. If we do not use as much energy, there is not as large of a demand, and we will allow the technology the time it needs to catch up.
Since heating accounts for the largest portion of any home’s energy usage, this should be the first system you target when trying to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Look for leaks or insulation issues, place restrictions on thermostat usage and bring in a heating professional to assess the efficiency of your furnace. Whether it’s a celebrity, politician or scientist, many people are trying to get the populace educated on the problems that we will be facing, thanks to global warming. It’s great that you’re taking the time to learn what you can do to help, so put the tips you’ve read here to use and get started today!
