Reducing the amount of energy your home uses from the electricity company might be a lot easier than you think. Without a lot of effort, you may be able to use less energy and save yourself some money. This article provides several great ideas that you can use to get started.
Wear natural fabrics in the summertime instead of cranking up the air conditioner. Moisture-wicking athletic fabrics pull moisture away from your skin, creating a cooling sensation. Light colored clothing can also help you to feel cooler.
If you are planning to go greener, you should consider fixing any taps that are leaking. Doing this will decrease the amount of water you use, and as a result, you will have more hot water in your home. This can really help if you are struggling to have enough warm water in the shower.
Try using energy efficient light bulbs or even LED lights in your home to cut costs for lighting. Turning off the lights when you are not in the room also helps to save energy. Keep this in mind when you are leaving home, as simply turning off the lights saves a lot of energy!
Check whether your furnace filters need to be replaced each month. Make sure that you actually replace these filters at least once each year. Install filters for your warm-air registers, too. This helps keep debris (or Hot Wheels cars) from getting into heating ducts and reducing efficiency.
Contact your current energy provider and see if they offer an option for you to use renewable-energy sources. Many providers harness renewable energy through solar or wind power and therefore, have this option available for their clients. However, you should keep in mind that this may cost a little bit extra.
If you are thinking about switching to solar power, do your research first. Some towns have restrictions regarding the number of collectors they allow. To bypass these limitations, think about getting your neighbors to join you and get a solar power unit that would provide power for a small group of homes.
You do not have to spend a lot to be a green energy consumer. You can just change your habits and be green. You can certainly save big by driving the speed limit and not over use your gas pedal. You can save as much as 20 percent on gas if you just follow those two rules.
It is easy to find the initiative to make your house greener when you consider the many tax refunds currently offered for energy-efficient improvements. Be sure to keep all receipts pertaining to such improvements as the U.S. government presently lets home owners deduct costs for everything from new windows to storm doors to furnaces and insulation.
Think about getting a hybrid car. Electric cars have many flaws, including the low number of charging stations. With a hybrid car, you can use either gas or electric power, depending on what is available. Invest in a hybrid vehicle if you live close to a charging station or can get your own.
Think about installing natural gas in your home as opposed to other sources of power. Methane is the same fuel produced by cows and in landfills and is one of the cleanest burning gasses available on the market. It is a very green choice when deciding on your energy needs.
Use the helpful ideas provided here to find ways to incorporate green energy resources in your home. You’ll see your energy bills drop and be proud of the service you are performing for the environment. Keep at it and soon you will have one of the greenest homes around!
