If you are considering turning to greener sources of energy for your home, you have found the right article! The tips that follow will offer you helpful advice on how you can implement greener methods of energy use, right in your own home and beginning as soon as tomorrow!
Solar Power
For green energy consumption, you might want to consider an alternative source for your power needs like solar power. If you live in an area with high sunlight year round, you can install these solar panels on your roof and supply parts of your home with this free and clean energy from the sun.
Take shorter showers to get greater advantage of green energy in your home! Heating hot water accounts for nearly 14% of the average household's energy use and that can really add up. Cutting down on the time you spend in the shower will be better on the environment and your energy bills!
TIP! Those looking to save energy and live a greener life may want to consider reducing the amount of lighting in their house. Ask yourself if you really need four lamps in a single room, or read with a book light rather than using your rooms lighting at night.
If you cannot convert your entire house to solar power because of budget constraints, start with just one room. You can purchase a small solar-powered kit that will offer you enough electricity for one room in your house, and it costs significantly less than a whole-house conversion. This will provide you with some of the benefits that solar can offer, while still saving your tight budget.
One very basic method of using renewable green energy in your home is the use of solar power to dry your clothes. That is, hang your wet laundry out on a clothesline. The amount of energy saved by not using a dryer is considerable, and it also gets you outside in the nice weather.
Invest in solar power for your home. Adding a few solar panels to your roof can actually decrease the cost of heating or cooling your home by up to 50%! Talk to a professional about where best to install them on your roof, as the placement is very important to get the optimal amount of direct sunlight.
You can save a lot of energy simply by investing in a tube of caulk and walking around the interior and exterior of your home, sealing any visible cracks or holes. Windy days are the best time to seek out less visible leaks, as you are more likely to hear or feel them.
TIP! Replace your light bulbs with eco-friendly bulbs. These light bulbs will last longer, burn brighter and use less power.
If you are planning on switching to green energy, it can seem too discouraging to jump in and do it all at once. While an entire home and land can be overwhelming, try narrowing your efforts to one room at a time. A good first step is a bedroom, where you can use solar power for just a reading lamp and a radio or alarm clock. Then work up from there!
If switching your home to solar power is beyond your financial capabilities, try switching just one room, like a bedroom, to solar power. There are solar kits available online that can help you green a room, and this will positively affect your energy bills and carbon footprint for years to come.
Use solar hot water. By installing a solar hot water system, you can use solar power to heat the water you use for everything in your home. It will work for your showers, washing dishes and doing laundry. If you are worried about not getting enough sun, you can invest in a small, traditional water heater as well.
If it is holiday time, you might want to consider throwing out your old bulbs and replacing them with new energy efficient LED lights for your tree and your home. These lights use 90 percent less energy than the old style lights and will save you money during the holiday season.
TIP! Use portable solar panels. Small solar panels are now available for the home, and some of them are very affordable.
Everyone can benefit from savings, and the environment certainly can benefit from more efficient and cleaner sources of energy. Put the tips you have read in this article today to good use in your own home to reduce your carbon footprint, save energy for future generations and save you considerable amounts of money!