Green energy is a hot trend today. Supporters claim that it’s better than other alternatives, and you could save the earth, as well as saving a lot of money in the process. Is this right? Here are a few tips for incorporating green energy in your life, and you can then make an informed decision for yourself.
A solar water heating system can help lower energy costs. Solar water heaters use solar energy in an efficient way to heat your water. While a few of the upgrades are costlier up front, they might be eligible for tax deductions or green energy tax credits.
Do you have a large plot of land? If you do, then you probably own property. This might be an opportunity to rent a portion of that property to a company that will build a wind turbine on it. The energy generated can benefit your entire area without taking up much room.
Think about getting solar heaters to heat up your water at home. If you live in an area where freezing temperatures are not a problem, you can purchase a system that heats water through a heater that is solar before it pumps it in your home. However, it’s best to keep a traditional heater for times when you need a lot of heated water, or if the sun does not come out.
To conserve energy and save money, only run the dishwasher when you have a full load. Never run it with just a few dishes inside. You might be surprised by how much you can actually fit in the dishwasher. Strategically load your dishwasher so that you fit in as many dishes as possible.
As you plan for a solar energy array, use winter time sunshine hours to calculate from. This can prevent any nasty surprises during winter, and it can leave you ahead in the summer. And even more exciting, on some plans, you can receive money from utility companies if you use less energy than you generate.
Storm Doors
Homes with storm doors and windows have better airflow than homes without these upgrades. These special storm doors and windows prevent cold air and drafts from entering the home. If you use storm doors or windows, you can save at least 45 percent on your electricity bills.
Use a tankless water heater instead of one that uses a tank. These still use gas and electricity to heat water, but they heat only what you use instead of continuously heating the whole tank. Tankless heaters are available in models that supply the entire house or a single faucet with hot water.
If you dress warmer, you will help cut energy costs, which helps you to go green. Sweaters of varying thickness can offer more warmth, from two to four degrees depending on its weight. So, wear a sweater to save some money.
Desktop computers require a lot of energy, so why not opt for a laptop? This can lower your electrical use by as much as 75%, particularly if you are someone who stays on the Internet for long periods of time. An added bonus is the portability of a laptop- you can take it anywhere you go!
Be aware of federal and state rebates for updating your home with renewable energy. Certain utility companies will provide rebates for these upgrades. In other instances, credit or tax deductions are offered by federal or state governments. These credits and rebates could reduce the cost associated to installing green technology in your house.
If you are unsure about making big green energy investments in your home, then hire professionals like a plumber or heating expert to come in and give you an overview of your existing systems. These professionals can explain how efficient your systems are, and how much it will probably cost to change or replace them.
Have the bulk of your correspondence sent to your email. Don’t use paper whenever you can afford to do so. This kills two birds with one stone: you save energy and encourage businesses with whom you correspond to do so, as well. This benefits everyone in society along with your own business.
Think about baking with a solar oven. You can create a solar over using common household items, including aluminum foil and a clean box. You can reach an oven temperature of 300 degrees or more without using any other source of energy besides the sun. It only takes a few minutes to build a solar oven.
You can heat your home using biofuels. Bio-fuels consist of vegetable fat, animal fat, oils and wood. Many times, furnaces that are propane can be changed by a pro so that you can heat using this blend of fuels. You would want to use roughly 20-99 percent bio-fuel, depending on your house size and what a professional thinks is right. Talk to a professional before using biofuel in the home.
Green Energy
After reading this guide, what is going through your mind? Can you translate the benefits of green energy into your lifestyle? Put a few of these tips to work and begin to discover some great improvements to your home, and your life. Implement the tips today and see how well green energy works for you.
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