Many people want to have a greener lifestyle, but just don't know where to start. Fortunately, there are many ways to live a sustainable lifestyle by using green energy sources in your home. This article includes several tips on using green energy today.
List all your home appliances and how much energy they use before scheduling a solar panel consultation with your installer. When a professional installer is ready to outfit your home, they will be able to tell how much power you will need. This can show whether solar energy is appropriate for you.
Programmable thermostats are great investments in green energy. You can program them so your heating and cooling are minimized when you are sleeping or not at home. In order to conserve power, the newest models allow you to program them for various start and end times for different days of the week.
Maintaining your refrigerator is an easy way to save energy. Because refrigerators use so much energy, it really pays to keep them working as efficiently as possible. Vacuum the coils frequently to remove the dust that can build up and reduce efficiency. Don't forget to be certain to keep the seal surrounding the door tight and clean.
Do you have a farm? If you have one, an energy company may be interested in renting a portion of the property to install a wind turbine. You and those around you can benefit from the free energy. A turbine doesn't take up much space, either.
You can save electricity by unplugging chargers when they are not in use. Many chargers for various electronics continue to draw electricity even if they are not plugged into a device. The energy usage is not as high, but it wastes electricity and adds up to a considerable amount over time.
Use motion detection sensors on lights in the most popular rooms of your house. These sensors automatically turn the lights off in rooms that aren't being used, which saves energy, and in the long run, lots of money. Remember to include the lights above the garage, as well.
Check your utility bills against previous years' bills to see how you're doing in your efforts to go green. You should also write down your goals for energy efficiency and reminders to help you stay on track. Simply being more conscious of your energy expenditures can help you to significantly reduce them. For instance, if you make an effort to lower your electricity or water usage, it's more likely that you will also try to use appliances and lights less often.
Know the available energy options in your community. Check how much these utilities cost and any tax breaks or laws before making a decision. Switching from electricity to gas, or from your city water supply to a well, may save you money.
Energy Star appliances help save energy. To receive an Energy Star rating from the government, appliances must meet minimum efficiency standards, unlike the non-rated appliances you may currently own. For freezers and refrigerators, the rating guarantees 20 percent less energy used, 40 percent for dishwashers, and at least 50 percent when it comes to washing machines.
One unique option that a green consumer can consider is having your home made of straw bale. Straw is a great form of insulation as well as being inexpensive to use. If you do not want to have straw bales in your entire home, then try adding it to only certain areas.
Lights should be turned off when not in use. Lighting your home at night is necessary, but turn them off if a room is not being used. Unless you need to, do not leave cabinet or porch lights on. This can lower the amount of energy you use.
Now that you're aware of where to start with green energy, you can see how it'll benefit you. It will not just help you, but the environment as well. Use the advice you have read in this article, and you will be well on your way to becoming green.
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