Just thinking about major changes in the home to accommodate sources of greener energy is really overwhelming to most homeowners. It is tough to understand where to start and how to improve the environment (and your life) the most. Read the following green energy tips to get a better idea of where to start.
The laundry room is a great place to cut energy usage. First, use the sensor setting that automatically turns off the dryer when the laundry has dried. Use the high-spin option, which reduces the moisture in the laundry, which helps to shorten drying time. Clean the dryer filters regularly, and always check for vent blockages, too.
When you can, wash your laundry in cold water. Almost 90% of the power you use to do laundry is simply used to heat the water. Using a quality detergent means it is unnecessary to use hot water. Additionally, always wash with a full load of laundry, as this helps to lower the amount of energy you use.
Instead of blasting the air conditioner to keep cool in summer, wear clothes made from naturally cooling fabrics. Fabrics, such as cotton, draw the moisture further from your skin and let it stay cooler. You may feel warmer when you wear warm-colored clothing, so wear light-colored clothing in order to use the air conditioner less.
Use LED lights on your Christmas tree or when decorating your home for Christmas. A US study shows By having everyone make this change, the country can save 2 billion kilowatt power hours. That’s a large amount of electricity–it would power 200,000 homes over the course of the year. At least you will be saving money on your power bill.
It’s important to maintain your refrigerator properly. Refrigerators take lots of energy to run, so it’s crucial to make sure it is running effectively. Vacuum the coils frequently to remove the dust that can build up and reduce efficiency. In addition, be sure your door seal is tight and clean.
Use a solar-solar powered system to heat water. Heating water with electricity or natural gas is not very efficient, but solar water heaters harness energy from the sun to keep water at a steady temperature. Some of these upgrades, while more expensive up-front, may qualify for green energy tax deductions.
Energy Star Rated
Energy Star rated appliances should be used in the home. The Energy Star rated appliance is guaranteed to use appreciably less energy than the older non-rated appliance. The amount of energy saved depends on the type of appliance. Refrigerators and freezers use 20% less energy, while dishwashers use 40% less. Washing machines use half as much energy as their non-rated counterparts.
Homes have different layouts and will have different areas that can use green technology. These differences will make green-energy technology needs vary. Some will work for any home, and some are site-specific. Use the tips that work best for your home.