Going green does not have to be costly, nor take too much of your time. Making some changes to the home can lower electricity bills and benefit the environment. Read the article below to find out some of the best ways to get the most out of green energy.
Making small adjustments to the way you use energy every day can ultimately reduce your consumption. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use. When you aren’t using your television, computer equipment or lights, don’t forget to turn them off. This is a simple tip that can help you save money, too.
Government grants help customers purchase these eco-friendly technologies. If you are interested in getting free money to improve your home you should contact your local government for more information. You can qualify for installation of solar power at little to no cost.
Check your furnace and air conditioning filters monthly. Clean or replace them as needed. Also, put filters on vents that dispense warm air. Debris (and small toys) will not reach the heating ducts to clog the main filter.
Think about getting solar heaters to heat up your water at home. If you happen to live in a climate where freezing water isn’t going to affect you then you might want to invest into a system that circulates water through your solar heater before it is pumped into 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.
Turn off appliances you aren’t using. When you leave a room, take the time to turn off lights, the tv or the computer. A power strip is an easy way to turn off multiple appliances at once, so consider placing one in a conspicuous place where many electronics are located.
Replace your water heater and get a tankless model. 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 can supply the entire home or certain faucets.
Watch for state and federal tax incentives for upgrading your home to use renewable energy sources. There are times when your utility company can offer discounts and rebates for your upgrade costs. Tax deductions are also available from the government, sometimes. These offers make installing and using a green energy system much more affordable.
Keep written track to remind yourself of your green energy goals, and look for progress in your energy consumption by comparing current bills to the previous year’s. If you are more conscious of what your energy expenditures are, this could help to lower them. For instance, if your stated goal is to reduce your consumption of electricity and water, you are more apt to remember to turn off the lights and shut off the faucet when not using them.
When decorating for the holidays you should forgo traditional lights and get LED lights instead. According to research by the United States One study conducted by the Department of Energy found that if everyone in the U.S. switched to these lights, more than two billion kilowatt hours worth of power would be saved. That is enough electricity to power 200 thousand homes for a whole year. But for your own part, this is a great way to cut that power bill down.
Green energy can benefit anyone, whether they think global warming is real or not. With just a few minor alterations to your daily routine, you can realize significant savings on your energy bill.